Act 3, Scene 1

“Save thee thy friend and thy music”.

These lines spoken by Viola mirror the original command by Orsino in Act 1
scene 1 of the twelfth night. In the Shakespearean era music was a popular way
of expressing romantic love and it was common to have several romantic songs
in a comedy such as the twelfth night. Viola comments on the nature of Feste’s
music in these lines. She is clearly impressed by his musical talent and being
generous, praises it heartily.

“They that dally with words, quickly make them wanton”

Further into the scene we discover that Feste and Viola share a similar talent.
They can proficiently turn as Feste puts it “words into whores”. This part of the
play is entertaining as two of the most intelligent people in the play have a
battle of wits. The audience is filled with admiration for Viola who can hold her
own in a war of words with Feste. At each turn in the play, we get to discover
that Viola is filled with hidden abilities. Not only is she resourceful, clever and
brave she can speak French, is kind hearted and is by now- Orsino’s most
trusted messenger. Viola’s lines bring out the theme of misdirected
communication. While words and language are the primary method of
communication between two people, if one “dallies” with words long enough it
can make understanding rather impossible. Language plays a key role in the
twelfth night a play which illustrated the theme of appearance versus reality
beautifully.

“ Hold there’s some expenses for thee.”

Yet another example of Viola’s innate generosity- she shares the little money in
her possession with the fool Feste. The audience gets to know that Viola is
empathic and appreciative. Despite her own hardships she still acknowledges
the effort that the fool’s everyday job takes. She recognizes his intellect because
of her own and admires his aptitude and skill.

“I pity you”
The last part of act 3 scene 1 is full of irony. The love triangle is in full swing
and it is ironic that each character finds himself/herself- inevitabely in the shoes
of the other. Orsino longs for Olivia who long for Cesario/Viola who in turn
longs for Orsino. Viola can very well pity Olivia because she wears Olivia’s
very shoes- only this is unrealized by the lady. Despite Olivia thinking that
Cesario possesses “a heat of stone” she does not realize the full extent of
Viola’s passions because unlike her Viola can keep them contained to herself.
Viola remains true to Orsino always and even though she loves Orsino herself
keeps on visiting Olivia attempting to persuade her to requite his love. When
Olivia says that she loves Cesario, Viola tries to reject her in the kindest way
possible dropping subtle hints about who she truly is (“Then think you right, I
am not what I am.”, I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, And that no
woman has, nor never none). Olivia too must be credited. She remains true to
her feelings from start to end and does not force herself to love Orsino back,
much as he pursues her. She wholly gives Viola what once belonged to her and
even though she understands that Cesario might never love her back that does
not stop her from loving to her heart’s full capacity. The locket which she gives
Viola is a symbol of her undying and all-consuming love.
Later on in act3 scene 4 Viola is confronted by Sir Toby, Fabian and Sir
Andrew Aguecheek. Sir Toby forces her into a duel with Sir Andrew and at first
Viola trys to rationalize. She tells him that she will try to amend the wrongs she
has done to Sir Andrew and her second thought goes to asking Olivia for
sanctuary. Desperate and backed up against a wall Viola realizes that there
exists a distinct possibility that her cover might be blown at this very moment.
“A little thing could let them know how little of a man I am”. Gender roles and
stereotypes are a major theme of the twelfth night. Duels could only be fought
between two men and try as she might Viola cannot replicate the feelings of
bloodlust in herself. Despite being more of the definition of a “man” than most
of the men in the twelfth night, she lacks the knowledge and practice one needs
for a duel. Viola thinks that she is in a situation of real danger and only
something short of a real miracle could placate her “most worthy” opponent
and- save her from what seems to be an unfixable solution. The arrival of
Antonio provides this very comfort. With all of the characters distracted by the
arrival of this strange new gallant man Viola is able to regain some of her
conscience and is once again under the soothing covers of her pretence.
Regaining some of her bravado she asks Antonio to tell her who she is and is
more than astonished when he refers that he knows her. Once officers arrive to
arrest Antonio because his presence in Illyria – she offers to part with half of
her coffers (secretly expressing her gratitude).