The nature of love and questioning Orsino’s feelings for Olivia
The passage listed below and perform a close reading that demonstrates not only your understanding of the text, but what it reveals to you about how to interpret the exchange on stage.
Take the skills that you have acquired through close reading Wedding Band and apply them to the Shakespearean language. Pay attention to elements of the language: word choice, dynamics (when does the text indicate increase in speed, pauses, etc.), sounds (kinds of consonants and vowels), and whether it is prose or verse – and if verse, what kind (and why does the distinction matter). How does a word, a sound, a phrase propel the action? What do the words reveal? What do they hide?
Make sure to look up words/ phrases/ references to get their full, historical meanings. Do research beyond the given textual notes, if appropriate.
Feel free to look at clips from various productions for performance ideas, but do not copy them directly. As long as you stay true and close to the text, this is an opportunity to display creativity in revealing subtext and possible stagings.
PASSAGE:
VIOLA
But if she cannot love you, sir—
ORSINO
I cannot be so answered.
VIOLA
Sooth, but you must.
Say that some lady, as perhaps there is,
Hath for your love as great a pang of heart
As you have for Olivia. You cannot love her;
You tell her so. Must she not then be answered?
ORSINO
There is no woman’s sides
Can hide the beating of so strong a passion
As love doth give my heart; no woman’s heart
So big, to hold so much; they lack retention.
Alas, their love may be called appetite,
No motion of the liver but the palate,
That suffer surfeit, cloyment, and revolt;
But mine is all as hungry as the sea,
And can digest as much. Make no compare
Between that love a woman care bear me
And that I owe Olivia.
VIOLA
Aye, but I know—
ORSINO
What dost thou know?
In this passage from Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night,” Viola engages in a conversation with Duke Orsino, discussing the nature of love and questioning Orsino’s feelings for Olivia. Through a close reading of the language, we can gain insights into the characters’ emotions, their contrasting perspectives on love, and the hidden truths beneath their words.
Word Choice:
Viola uses the word “answered” to express the idea that Orsino must respond to her argument. This implies a sense of urgency and insistence in her tone, emphasizing her determination to make her point.
Orsino’s use of the word “pang” suggests a sharp and intense feeling of love, emphasizing the emotional depth of his affection for Olivia.
The phrase “they lack retention” reveals Orsino’s belief that women are unable to contain or control their emotions as strongly as men can.
Dynamics and Sounds:
The text does not indicate specific dynamics or sounds, leaving room for interpretation. However, the back-and-forth nature of the dialogue suggests a quick-paced exchange, possibly with rising tension as the characters challenge each other’s perspectives.
The repetition of the “l” sounds in the phrase “lack retention” creates a rhythmic quality and draws attention to Orsino’s belief about women’s emotional capacity.
Prose or Verse:
This passage is written in verse, specifically iambic pentameter. The use of verse signifies a heightened emotional state or significant moments in the play.
The consistent rhythm of iambic pentameter adds a musical quality to the dialogue, enhancing the poetic and dramatic effect of the characters’ exchange.
The distinction between prose and verse matters because it allows the actors to emphasize certain lines or words, creating dramatic tension and drawing attention to significant moments.
Propelling the Action and Revealing Hidden Meanings:
Viola’s argument challenges Orsino’s perspective by suggesting that if another woman were to feel the same depth of love for him as he does for Olivia, he would not be able to dismiss her feelings.
Orsino’s response reveals his belief in the intensity of his own love for Olivia. He argues that women cannot match his level of passion and that their love is merely driven by appetite or desire.
The conversation between Viola and Orsino propels the action by highlighting the contrasting views on love and setting up the potential for Viola’s unrequited feelings for Orsino to become a significant plot point.
Historical Context:
Researching historical meanings and references can provide deeper insights into the language used. For example, understanding the concept of women lacking “retention” in Shakespearean times helps us grasp Orsino’s belief in men’s emotional superiority.
Exploring the historical context can also shed light on societal expectations and gender roles, adding layers of interpretation to the text.
In conclusion, a close reading of this passage from “Twelfth Night” allows us to delve into Viola’s and Orsino’s perspectives on love. Through word choice, dynamics, sounds, and the distinction between prose and verse, we gain insights into their emotions and contrasting beliefs. By researching historical meanings and references, we can further enrich our understanding of the characters’ viewpoints. This passage sets up tensions and conflicts that will drive the plot forward while revealing hidden truths about love, gender roles, and societal expectations.