Consider The Way Shakespeare Explores The Theme Of Love In Twelfth Night
Through the course of the play, the love triangle between Orsino, Olivia and Viola was the source of many problems and complications. Two different types of love existed in this triangle namely Romantic, passionate love, which Orsino had for Olivia and which Olivia had for viola, as well as the more steadfast form of love, which viola, as cesario, harboured for her master for the better part of the play.
But by no means do these two forms of love cover all the various types of love found in the play. Two main sub themes of love that were left untouched is the self-love that is found in the servant malvolio, as well as the friendship between Viola and the Sea Captain, and Sebastian and Antonio.
Throughout the play, I believe the most noble and steadfast form of love was what cesario felt for orsino. She was self-sacrificial and always true, even when the situation seemed like she would never get the duke to understand, let alone reciprocate her true feelings.
In many instances while she was working for the duke as his servant, cesario was tasked with going to the residence of Olivia on the duke's behalf, to woo her for the duke. Despite already falling for the duke at this time, cesario remained true to her master and did her job as told, even though she knew that by doing so, she was jeopardizing her own chances with the duke. This is the type of self-sacrificial love that is displayed by cesario. The usually non-melodramatic viola was even driven to say unhappily, My state is desperate for my master's love'
Even towards the end of the play, when orsino believes that cesario has betrayed him and makes to kill him by sacrificing the lamb that I do love' to spite a raven's heart within a dove', Viola is willing to be sacrificed', and openly declares her love for the Duke. She states that she, most jocund, apt and willingly, to do you rest, a thousand deaths would die', once again demonstrating her...
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