Question — Essay-type
If Shakespearean tragedy is the world of men, then comedy is the world of women. The force of their personality is much greater than that of men. They do not lead a happy life merely, but impart happiness to others. They bring joy and resolve all dilemmas and complications. In the world of youthful romance, there are also delightful men, like Orlando and Orsino. But their personality is only secondary and their actions are more co-operative by nature. The main comic actions issue from the women, they are firm and realistic.
A noteworthy feature of all the romantic comedies of Shakespeare is that they introduce ‘twine heroines’. Both of them are generally young romantic ladies. They always have several points of similarity and contrast between them. ‘Twelfth Night’ likewise introduces Viola and Olivia as the ‘twine heroines’. They are both young, beautiful, romantic ladies, tender-hearted, fanciful and love-lorn. Yet there is something essentially difference between them.
Their Beauty
“Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.”
“Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit, Do give thee five-fold blazon:”
There is an essential difference between the tempers of Viola and Olivia. Olivia is proud, cold and imperious in her bearing. Viola is essentially modest, submissive and sweet-tempered. Olivia is evidently clever and cultivated, but she lacks Viola’s readiness of fancy and quick resourcefulness. Olivia’s conduct appears somewhat indelicate. Olivia’s ladylike wilfulness is certainly in bold contrast to Viola’s deep, silent and patient love.
Contrast In Love
“Love as a passion not of the senses, but of the intellect and the soul.”
Her love is not only the love of force, but also a love which is blind and sensuous. She is a lady of weak character having a flickering temperament. We are told that she is mourning the loss of her beloved brother and even the sky will not see her face for seven long years. A few days after when she meets Viola, she puts her veil aside. The moment she feels that she is in love with Cesario [Viola], she wants him in her own possession. Her love never needs intellect or soul. It is the result of senses and aims at quick satisfaction.
Her love is the kind of love which Shakespeare always advocates. Since she is the heroine of the play, this type of love was expected from her only. Her love is silent and idolatry. It is based upon devotion and sacrifice. This ideal type of love always has an unshakable confidence in its success and believes in concealment rather than revelation-
“She never told her love, but let concealment, like a worm ‘i th’ bud, feed on her damask cheek.”
“And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument,
Smiling at grief…”
Conclusion
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