One thing is for sure, there is a whole lot of love in Twelfth Night. Fortunately for the purposes of comedy, but unfortunately for the characters, it is mostly unrequited. However, in the interests of a ‘happy ending’, mistaken identities are cleared up and confusion is eventually lifted.
Romantic love is by no means the only type of love dealt with in Twelfth Night. Love between siblings and friends is equally prominent and important in the play. However, the love connections discussed below are predominantly amorous in nature and, with two exceptions, are one-sided infatuations.
Orsino Loves Olivia
The first romantic attachment an audience becomes privy to is Orsino’s passion for Olivia. In the opening scene, the lovesick duke suggests, rather fancifully, that music may cure his infatuation. “Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,/The appetite may sicken, and so die.”(I.i)
Shortly after which, Valentine (apt name) enters with a message from Olivia. She refuses to hear any suit, until seven years have passed. This time she intends to spend mourning for her dead brother.
In the first scene, it is clear that Orsino has repeatedly sent messengers to her, in a manner that could perhaps get him arrested for stalking nowadays. This pattern continues when young Cesario (Viola in disguise) begins to work for Orsino. Her principal service quickly becomes wooing Olivia on his behalf. Unfortunately for him, however, this plan backfires rather spectacularly.
Olivia Loves Cesario/Viola
Despite her vow to refuse all suitors, Olivia experiences a rather sudden change of heart when she meets Viola disguised as a man. “How now!/Even so quickly may one catch the plague?”(I.v)
In order to ensure Cesario’s return, Olivia sends Malvolio with a ring; claiming that the Duke's messenger gave it to her. When Malvolio catches up with Viola and throws the ring at her, she attempts to fathom Olivia’s motives. “…what means this lady?/Fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her!”(II.ii)
Viola is subsequently reluctant to return, but is sent repeatedly by Orsino. She attempts to discourage Olivia’s infatuation, “I have one heart, one bosom and one truth,/And that no woman has; nor never none/Shall mistress be of it, save I alone.”III.i) to no avail. Meanwhile, of course, Viola’s disguise is causing her another romantic complication.
Viola Loves Orsino
While working for the duke Orsino, Viola has developed something of a crush on him. A crush that she cannot act upon, however, because, as far as he is concerned, she’s a man. And of course, she cannot reveal the truth without admitting that she deceived her way into his employ.
Viola, beloved of Olivia and in love with Orsino, finds herself in a bit of a pickle. As she so eloquently describes, “As I am man,/My state is desperate for my master's love;/As I am woman, -now alas the day!-/What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!”(II.ii)
Sir Andrew Loves Olivia
In many ways, Sir Andrew’s role is that of buffoonish sidekick to Sir Toby. However, Shakespeare also uses the opportunity to add a further strand to the entangled love plot. Of course, because Andrew is a potential suitor, albeit a grotesquely unsuccessful one, it creates a wonderful jealousy as he watches Cesario/Viola woo (or so he thinks) Olivia.
This ultimately leads to one of the most humorous and clownish scenes of the play. When Viola and Andrew, neither of whom are proficient in fighting, attempt to duel one another.
Maria Loves Sir Toby
It is unclear when this relationship began to blossom. Some productions offer clues in the form of meaningful glances between the pair. However, it is not until Maria concocts the plan to trick Malvolio that any word is spoken to acknowledge affection between the two.
However, Toby’s, “She's a beagle, true-bred, and one that adores me: what o' that?”(II.iii) may suggest that he does not return her feelings of adoration. Nevertheless, making a fool of Malvolio seems to endear her to him greatly. And, at the end of the play, we learn that the two have married.
For more on Sir Toby, read the author’s character analysis.
Malvolio Loves…
Olivia? Well, probably not. Although he throws himself at her in a ridiculous manner which verges on the ‘dirty old man’ (see Nigel Hawthorne’s portrayal in Trevor Nunn’s 1996 film version), Malvolio’s one great love is himself. He merely views Olivia as a means to advance his social status.
For more on Malvolio, read the author’s character analysis.
Sources and Further Reading
Shakespeare, W., Twelfth Night or What You Will
Samantha Markham - Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer with a particular passion for literary and theatrical subjects.
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