Victoria Jamiel
Dr. Ellis
Understanding Lit
20 November 2013
Romance Resolution
In the play Twelfth
Night, by William Shakespeare, the complications of love through an entangled
love triangle, deceit, and disguise reign superior in the character’s lives. One
of the main characters, Viola, disguises herself as a man, works for and falls in
love with Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia. Undenying passion of love can look past any disguise and
overcome any obstacle that comes in its path. Through the challenges presented
in Twelfth Night, romantic love becomes
eminent and unavoidable.
True
love cannot be forced; rather it is a result of an instant connection. Viola
found herself alone, and in need of a fresh start. She disguised herself as a
man in order to work for Duke Orsino. While working for him, she fell madly in
love with him, despite the fact that he loved another woman. After Orsino
instructed Viola to woo Oliva, she exclaimed, “I’ll do my best to woo your
lady: [Aside] yet, a barful strife! Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife”
(Shakespeare 9). Not only does Viola find herself challenged by her hidden
identity, but she is forced to woo another woman for the man she loves. This
obstacle emphasizes how deep and pure Viola’s love for Orsino is. She is
willing to put her needs and wants aside in order to make him happy. Although
it would be easy for Viola to set her feelings aside, romantic love is
ever-present and unavoidable.
Love
that is planned cannot surpass love based on instinct. In the beginning of the
play, Duke Orsino was convinced he loved Olivia. His love for her was purely
based on his selfish need for a lover. He had a strong, emotion-filled
connection with Viola (Cesario) based on trust. When faced with the rejection
his love for Olivia diminished; but when he found out about Viola’s disguise
his love was prevalent. After his discovery, Orsino professed, “…Here is my
hand: you shall from this time be your master’s mistress” (69). Orsino’s forced
love for Olivia could not prevail when faced with a challenged. His romantic
love for Viola stood the test of disguise and deceit. Regardless of obstacles
true love reigned victorious.
Thinking
back on a lecture I attended by David Yezzi last Thursday, I cannot help but
see the same theme of love conquering challenges. Although it is not as
dramatic as described in Shakespeare’s play, Yezzi’s writing career was nothing
simply handed to him. In order to become director, editor, and successful
writer he had to overcome several obstacles in order to achieve his dreams and
continue doing what he truly loved. As he spoke in font of the large audience,
I could not help but see the passion eminent in his eyes. It made me think that
no matter how hard things may seem, as long as I am doing what I truly love, it
will all be worth it in the end.
Furthermore,
this type of self-reflection and realization exhibited from both the play and
lecture has been a common reaction of mine throughout the semester. Through
both iExamens, and plays read such as “I Walk as lonely as a Cloud,” I have
realized the importance of appreciating the simple aspects of every day life
that I habitually take for granted each day. I was surprised by how simple it
is to take a step back and just appreciate the beauty of nature and those that
surround me every day.
In
conclusion, challenges are a normal occurrence in life but when faced by pure love
and passion they can be overcome. The love triangle in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, sorted itself out based
on pure feelings. Yezzi is a successful figure known across the country for his
literature despite the obstacles along his way. Lastly, I have found love and
joy for the simple things in life even though challenged by my once
unappreciative mindset.
Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night.
London: Methuen, 1975. Print.
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