Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

Identity is formed by how others perceive you. To be more specific, it is formed by the way society sees you compared to the rest of the world. Identity starts the moment one is born into a family while it gets shaped and altered throughout your life. It is also important to state that formation of an identity occurs, also, through the help of interacting with others. Another characteristic of identity is visual appeal. This is represented through gender, body physique, and clothing/attire. All of these ties in with how the world will initially perceive someone and gain a "first impression." However, it should be noted that identity is not always completely in sync with outer appearance.

In Twelfth Night, Viola's identity is primarily constructed by physical appearance. Throughout the majority of the play, Viola's identity is in fact the role of a man, who she gave the name "Cesario." Viola's identity at the conclusion of the play seems to be one that would go to great extends, such as disguising herself as the opposite gender, to be a servant to the man she claims to love (Orsino). Throughout the play, Cesario is pointed out by other characters to being quite beautiful and resembling a woman. Orsino states that Cesario's lips are "smooth and rubious" (I.IV.21). He also states that her voice "IS as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound, And all is semblative a woman's part" (I.IV.32-33) These non-tangible characteristics in turn is pointing out what Cesario's true gender identity. Language does not seem to affect the construction of the character of Viola/Cesario. The play does not mention that Viola had to drastically change the way she talked to others when becoming Cesario. It seems as if Viola's identity throughout Twelfth Night is primarily constructed by her male attire as well as how others treat and interact with her.

The play shows identity in a similar way as I described. Viola is perceived by others as a male, therefor that is her identity towards them throughout the play. Viola's interaction with others shows how soft and mild-mannered she is. This can be seen when she did not want to duel Sir Andrew. When Viola is challenged to a duel, she responds by saying, "I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me. My remembrance is very free and clear from any image to offense done to any man" (III.iv.201-203). Lastly, Viola is heavily represented through her physical appearance as Cesario, who is shown to be a male servant of Orsino.