What does Viola represent in Twelfth Night?

Viola, a shipwrecked young woman, later disguised as the young man Cesario, in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Viola-Cesario stands at the centre of the play as Shakespeare’s example of reason, intelligence, self-control, and mature love.

What does Viola say about the dangers of disguising your identity?

The line is the first time Viola speaks about her attraction to Orsino, and it reveals to the audience that, by disguising herself, she has put herself in a challenging and precarious situation. Lady, you are the cruel’st she alive / If you will lead these graces to the grave / And leave the world no copy (1.5.)

Why does Viola disguise herself as a man quote?

Viola praises the Captain for being both handsome and honorable, as she decides to disguise herself as Cesario, a man, to gain work with the Duke. Not all who are physically attractive are good on the inside, she says, touching on the play’s theme of appearance vs reality.

Why does Viola meet Olivia?

Why is Viola so insistent on helping first Olivia and then the Duke? Yes, Viola explains that she wants to serve the Court to regain her reputation in the new land of Illyria, but I believe that there is some deeper desire pushing her toward the Duke’s Court and the Duke’s love interest.

Why did Viola become a man?

In Twelfth Night, Viola dresses as the male Cesario in order to gain entry into Orsino’s court. In Elizabethan England, women were not allowed to act professionally, and female parts were all performed by men, so Viola would have actually been played by a male actor, dressing as a woman dressing as a man.

What does Viola say to Olivia?

Viola tries to be truthful with Olivia without revealing her true identity, telling her ‘I am not what I am’ and that she can never love a woman.

How did Viola prove to Sebastian that she is his sister?

Viola then reveals that her real identity is hidden by “masculine usurp’d attire”; she is Sebastian’s lost twin sister, and she can prove it by taking them to the home of a sea captain who knows of her disguise and is keeping her women’s clothes for her; however, they must produce Malvolio because he has been holding …