Twelfth Night - Deception and Disguise

Give five examples of deception and disguise in Twelfth Night.

- Sir Toby tricks Sir Andrew Aguecheek into thinking he would be able to woo Olivia in order to get his money.

- Viola dresses up as the pageboy Cesario.

- Maria pretends to be Olivia in the letter to Malvolio.

- The cliched 'love' that Orsino presents towards Olivia is a form of deception (including deceiving himself - as his love is not true, it is performative).

- The cliched mourning woman front that Olivia puts on despite throwing off her veil at the first sight of Cesario.

What is the symbol of a letter throughout the play?

Letters typically represent communication and expression of ideas between characters. However, as this is a topsy-turvy play it represents the complete opposite - letters are symbols of deception and disguise (e.g. the letter sent to Malvolio by Maria is sent to this end). This is used to highlight once again the complexities of the human condition and how we are prone to miscommunication, and how this can lead to problems within our relationships and within society overall.

What is the purpose of this theme?

To highlight how people commonly play roles in our own lives towards other people, not being truly authentic, and may be susceptible to the manipulation of others who are playing a particular role towards us.

How is deception and disguise shown in the play? [4 points]

Deception and disguise complicates the love triangle, adds to the comedy (e.g. in the fight scenes), showcases cruelty and allows Viola to have freedom

What is the significance of the curate appearance in Act 4, Scene 2.

- A man of religion

- A gag for the audience

- When Feste states that he "would that I were the first ever dissembled in such a gown" Shakespeare criticises religion, calling out the hypocrisy of the church

What does Malvolio symbolise?

Malvolio is a symbol of Puritan attitudes - he defies the very nature of festivity and opposes his peers who engage in fun or foolishness.

What is the purpose of Viola's disguise?

- Viola's disguise highlights the gender barrier between men and women - how she is treated entirely differently as a man than she is as a woman, which highlights typical views about gender and patriarchy that transcend the bounds of literature.

- Viola's disguise mirrors Sebastian's appearance - she takes on his appearance as a way of dealing with her melancholy and grief over his death, as it means part of him is still with her.

- It creates confusion and humour later on in the play when both Sebastian and Viola are in the same place.

How does mistaken identity add to the comedy of the play?

The mistaken identity of Viola and Sebastian creates the main comedy of the play allowing for moments of dramatic irony and comedy, such as the fight between Andrew and Sebastian which would not be as funny if it weren't for the mistaken identity.

How is the Devil presented as a symbol of trickery within the play?

- Christianity is a recognised belief system and is one that is highly prominent throughout the play.

- The Devil is presented as the antithesis to this, in association with the theme of deception and disguise.

- He is presented as "the fangs of malice". This is a symbol of temptation and trickery, linking to Genesis in which Eve is tempted to eat the apple by a serpent (a symbol of the Devil).

- He is also presented as the "pregnant enemy". Pregnant means ready and receptive - traits often associated with the Devil.

Give one quote from Viola from Act 1, Scene 2 about deception and disguise.

"Nature with a beauteous wall doth oft close in pollution"

Give two quotes from Act 1, Scene 3 about deception and disguise.

- "Taurus? That's sides and heart."

- "No, sir, it is legs and thighs."

Give three quotes from Orsino from Act 1, Scene 4 about deception and disguise.

- "Diana's lip is not more smooth or rubious."

- "Thy small pipe Is as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound."

- "All is semblative a woman's part"

Give one quote from Act 1, Scene 5 from Viola about deception and disguise.

"by the very fangs of malice, I swear - I am not that I play"

Give a quote about deception and disguise from Act 2, Scene 1.

"Roderigo"/"Sebastian of Messaline"

Give two quotes from Act 2, Scene 2 about deception and disguise from Viola.

- "I am the man. If it be so, as 'tis, Poor Lady she were better love a dream."

- "Disguise I see though art a wickedness wherein the pregnant enemy does much"

Give a quote from Feste from Act 2, Scene 3 about deception and disguise.

"your true love's coming that can sing both high and low"

Give quotes from Act 2, Scene 4 about deception and disguise.

- "A blank my lord [...] let concealment like a worm i'th'bud feed at her damask cheek"

- "changeable taffeta, for thy mind is a very opal"

- "I am all the daughters of my father's house, and all the brothers too"

Give two quotes from Act 2, Scene 5 about deception and disguise.

- "To the gates of Tartar, thou most excellent devil of wit"

- "The cur is excellent at faults"

Give seven quotes about deception and disguise from Act 3, Scene 1.

- "A cypress not a bosom, Hides me heart"

- "Then you think right: I am not what I am"

- "A sentence is but a cheverel glove to a good wit: how quickly the wrong sides may be turned outward"

- "But indeed words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them"

- "I am almost sick for one though I would not have it grow on my chin"

- "For folly that he wisely shows is fit, But wise men, folly fallen, quite taint their wit."

- "last enchantment you did here A ring in chase of you"

Give five quotes about deception and disguise from Act 3, Scene 2.

- "dormouse valour"

- "Taunt him with the license of ink [...] If thou thou'st thrice"

- "dear manikin to you"

- "For Andrew, if he were opened and found as much blood in his liver as will clog the foot of a flea, I'll eat th'rest of his anatomy"

- "I have dogged him like his murder"

How does deception and disguise develop in Act 3, Scene 2?

It moves from foolish pranks and lighthearted disguise to violent malevolence.

Give two quotes from Act 3, Scene 4 about deception and disguise.

- "Why, man, he's a very devil. I have not seen such a firago."

- "He named Sebastian. I my brother know Yet living in my glass."

Give one quote from Act 4, Scene 1 about deception and disguise.

"Nothing that is so is so"

Give four quotes from Act 4, Scene 2 about deception and disguise.

- "Out hyperbolical fiend, how vexest thou this man! Talkest thou nothing but of ladies?

- "Thou mightest have done this without thy beard and gown. He sees not."

- "I will dissemble myself in't"

- "goodman devil"

Give one quote about deception and disguise from Act 4, Scene 3.

"I'll follow this good man and go with you, and having sworn truth, ever will be"

Give three quotes from Act 5 about deception and disguise.

- "I'll sacrifice a lamb that I do love To spite a raven's heart within a dove"

- "masculine usurped attire, Do not embrace me until each circumstance"

- "One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons: A natural perspective, that is not"