Who Are You?

           Disguise is a dominate theme in Twelfth Night . Viola’s disguise is the most obvious, when she transforms into a man named Cesario when she dresses and acts like a man. Viola dressed as a man and created  very tangled web of lies that resulted in a strange love triangle. Viola loves Orsino, but Orsino love Olivia, but Olivia loves Cesario. What is the point of this strange love triangle? Well I think Shakespeare is trying to show how delusional human attraction can be and that it can be manipulated by just dressing like a man.

            Another character disguises himself in the play. Malvolio under the impression that Olivia loves him decided to dress as she wishes. This outfit comprises of crossed garters and yellow stockings, which is a horrible outfit but because of his blinded love he will do or become anyone to be with Olivia. When Malvolio dreams of his life with Olivia he imagines himself dressed in fine clothes. Due to Olivia’s high status, Malvolio feels the need to change his look in order to be able to be with Olivia.

            While Malvolio is determined mad because of his goofy clothing and excessive smiling he is sent to a confined dark room. While in the dark room, Feste decides to create another disguise. He creates a priest named Sir Topas, who he dresses up as to deceive Malvolio. The catch is that Malvolio is not able to see Feste so there is no need to dress as his new character. This is very telling on the topic of disguise because Feste believes that the outfit and reality are deeply connected. For Sir Topas to be real he must dress the part and then he will truly be Sir Topas. I believe that Shakespeare shows this crazy scene because he is making a statement on the issue of class and gender and all you need to change this image is to change clothes. I gender and class a fixed variable or can the change of clothes change who you are?

            The question over changing who you are is a question that is still relevant to today. Many believe that a new pair of shoes or a designer bag will change the way you and others feel about you. But is this really what happens. I personally think people can pretend to be something they are not but in the end their true self will be revealed.