The Importance Of Social Class In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night or What You Will place emphasis on social class and the expectations following a class in 17th Century Italy. The two characters of Feste the fool, and Viola (disguised as Cesario) have the ability to move freely throughout different classes due to both of their ‘disguises’. These two personalities exhibit signs of clairvoyance, knowledge beyond expectation, as well as high intelligence. These traits are given specific attention in Act 3, Scene 1 through Feste and Viola (Cesario)’s exchange outside of Olivia’s property. The character of Feste is intriguing due to his occupation as a ‘fool’. Feste boasts to Viola that, “Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun,/it shines everywhere” (3.1. 37-38). The meaning that lies behind this boast is quite serious, Feste hints at the fact that he can walk in any social circle he …show more content…
56-58). The only person to ever question Viola’s disguise as a man is Feste in this exchange. He …show more content…
By doing so, she immediately improves her social standing and she is able to advise Orsino as Cesario; a position she would never be offered as a woman. Viola and Feste are Shakespeare’s ‘misfits’ who are more than they seem. Both Feste and Viola admit that the other should be taken seriously. Viola is the only character who admits to herself that Feste is more than just a fool. She quotes “The fellow is wise enough to play the fool,/ And to do that well craves a kind of wit” (3.1. 59-60). Viola has the foresight to realize the game Feste is playing. She theorizes that Feste collects useful information to help him in future endeavours. Viola takes this new discovery to heart, and promises herself she will keep her guard up when interacting with Feste. She then goes on to say that Feste’s