The Twelfth Night

Q1) Discuss Viola's use of disguise. Explain how Shakespeare uses her disguise in the
plot development of the play The Twelfth Night.

Instructions:
4 paragraph essay
1. Introduction in reference to the author and the question to be discussed.
2. How will Viola’s disguise be beneficial to her.
3. How Shakespeare uses her disguise in the plot development of the play The
Twelfth Night.
4. Conclusion
Checklist
Word diction
Advance vocabulary/verbs
Avoid repetition of thoughts and ideas
Evidence to be embedded in paragraph
Explain evidence explicitly
Sequence your essay
Appropriate sentence structure
Syntax
Structure of the essay
Proofread

William Shakespeare is thought to be one of the most brilliant writers in this world, with
sonnets and plays still being performed and read after almost four centuries since his
death. “ Twelfth Night” comedy play by William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night is one of
only four plays by Shakespeare that has more prose in it than verse. Shakespeare uses
many literary devices such as alliteration in this play. Viola is one of Shakespeare's
most delightful and beloved characters who disguises herself as a man which has
multiple benefits.

Viola’s disguise is beneficial for her as she would not have had the freedom or the
chance to view life from the male perspective.Viola disguises herself as a man because
while she would have liked to work for Olivia the ship’s captain tell’s her it would be
impossible.”I prithee,--and i’ll pay the bounteously,-- conceal me what i am;and be my
aid for such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent. I ‘ll serve this duke..”
Viola appears to believe the captain regarding her missing brother. She is hopeful that
her brother is still among the living,the disguise would preserve her virtue. She is now in
Illyria, and being new and female at the same time would pose a problem and to adjust
in her new surroundings, she disguised herself as Cesario.

The main trick in the play is Viola disguising herself as a man , this is essential to the
plot as it produces confusion and entertains the audience .’’She pined in thought
And with a green and yellow melancholy”

Hence, Shakespeare does not give us one definitive reason for Viola’s disguise
because he wants us to wonder and imagine the places this disguise could take the plot
of the play. Thus readers are involved and curiosity arises.