Viola’s internal thoughts and emotions
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
I left no ring with her. What means this lady?
Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her!
She made good view of me, indeed so much
That methought her eyes had lost her tongue,
For she did speak in starts distractedly.
She loves me sure! The cunning of her passion
Invites me in this churlish messenger.
None of my lord’s ring? Why, he sent her none!
I am the man. If it be so, as ‘tis,
Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
How easy is it for the proper false
In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!
Alas, [our] frailty is the cause, not we,
For such as we are made of, such we be.
How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly,
And I, poor monster, fond as much on him,
And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.
What will become of this? As I am man,
My state is desperate for my master’s love.
As I am woman, (now alas the day!),
What thriftless sights shall poor Olivia breathe!
O Time, thou must untangle this, not I.
It is too hard a knot for me t’ untie.
In this passage from Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night,” Viola, disguised as Cesario, reflects on her encounter with Olivia. Through a close reading of the language, we can gain insights into Viola’s internal thoughts and emotions, as well as the complexities of the relationships and predicaments she finds herself in.
Word Choice:
Viola’s use of words reveals her confusion and uncertainty. For example, she questions, “What means this lady?” and wonders if her external appearance has charmed Olivia. This conveys her surprise at Olivia’s sudden interest in her.
She refers to Olivia’s actions as “cunning of her passion,” suggesting that Olivia’s love for her is not genuine but rather a result of infatuation or deception.
Viola also uses the word “disguise” to describe her own actions, indicating that she recognizes the inherent deceit in her disguise as Cesario.
Dynamics and Sounds:
The text indicates that Olivia spoke “in starts distractedly.” This suggests a hesitant and disjointed manner of speaking, which may be reflected in the performance through pauses, stammering, or a faster pace to indicate Olivia’s scattered thoughts and emotions.
The phrase “she were better love a dream” features alliteration with the repeated “l” sound. This creates a rhythmic quality that emphasizes Viola’s realization that Olivia’s love for her is misguided.
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 Viola’s inner turmoil.
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 realization that Olivia loves her instead of Duke Orsino propels the action forward by introducing a new layer of complication and misunderstanding.
The phrase “she seems to dote on me” suggests that Viola recognizes Olivia’s infatuation but also acknowledges that it is based on mistaken identity.
Viola’s acknowledgement that her disguise is a form of wickedness reveals her internal struggle between loyalty to her master and her growing affection for him.
Historical Context:
Researching historical meanings and references can provide deeper insights into the language used. For example, understanding the concept of “frailty” in Elizabethan society helps us grasp Viola’s comment that women’s hearts are easily deceived by false appearances.
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 thoughts, emotions, and predicaments. Through word choice, dynamics, sounds, and the distinction between prose and verse, we gain insights into her internal struggles, the complexities of her relationships, and the challenges posed by her disguise. By researching historical meanings and references, we can further enrich our understanding and interpretation of the text.