“Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy-as a squash is before ‘tis a/ peascod or a codling when ‘tis almost an apple” (Shakespeare.II.ii.155-1556). Malvolio says this to Olivia after encountering Cesario. Cesario being a girl in reality has many feminine features which makes Malvolio question his/her appearance. This is one of the many examples regarding identity confusion. In Twelfth Night, mistaken identity adds confusion in the play. Mistaken identity also incorporates humour in the play to engage the reader furthermore. The role of gender confusion also causes many characters to suffer from love throughout the entire story. All in all, identity confusion serves as a comedic purpose and provokes many conflicts.
To begin …show more content…
Malvolio, as I mentioned before receives a letter from Maria. In that letter, Maria insists Malvolio to wear yellow cross-gartered stockings to humiliate him. Malvolio mistakes the letter to be from Olivia and goes on to wear yellow cross-gartered stockings. In the play, these stockings add humour in the play based on how silly and ridiculous they look. After reading the letter Malvolio says, “She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she/ did praise my leg being cross-gartered, and in this she manifests herself to my love” (II.v.170-172). Another example is when Malvolio mistakes the Fool to be Sir Topas. While Malvolio is locked in a room, he is visited by a priest Sir Topas. Throughout the entire scene, Malvolio is trying to convince the priest that he has not gone insane or crazy which keeps the plot moving forward as well as adding hilarity for the readers and characters (Fool and the others). Malvolio says to Sir Topas, “Good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad. They have/ laid me here in hideous darkness” (IV.ii.31-32). Lastly, when Sir Andrew fights Sebastian, thinking he is Cesario, the duel and the outcome is quite funny considering Sir Andrew was drunk. Sir Andrew and Toby fight Sebastian thinking he is an incompetent fighter as Cesario. Sebastian, one man alone defeats Sir Andrew which is hilarious. In Toby’s defense Sir Andrew says, “If he had not been in drink he would/ have tickled you othergates that he did” (V.i.203-204). In summary, mistaken identity adds humour and comedy in the
To begin …show more content…
Malvolio, as I mentioned before receives a letter from Maria. In that letter, Maria insists Malvolio to wear yellow cross-gartered stockings to humiliate him. Malvolio mistakes the letter to be from Olivia and goes on to wear yellow cross-gartered stockings. In the play, these stockings add humour in the play based on how silly and ridiculous they look. After reading the letter Malvolio says, “She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she/ did praise my leg being cross-gartered, and in this she manifests herself to my love” (II.v.170-172). Another example is when Malvolio mistakes the Fool to be Sir Topas. While Malvolio is locked in a room, he is visited by a priest Sir Topas. Throughout the entire scene, Malvolio is trying to convince the priest that he has not gone insane or crazy which keeps the plot moving forward as well as adding hilarity for the readers and characters (Fool and the others). Malvolio says to Sir Topas, “Good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad. They have/ laid me here in hideous darkness” (IV.ii.31-32). Lastly, when Sir Andrew fights Sebastian, thinking he is Cesario, the duel and the outcome is quite funny considering Sir Andrew was drunk. Sir Andrew and Toby fight Sebastian thinking he is an incompetent fighter as Cesario. Sebastian, one man alone defeats Sir Andrew which is hilarious. In Toby’s defense Sir Andrew says, “If he had not been in drink he would/ have tickled you othergates that he did” (V.i.203-204). In summary, mistaken identity adds humour and comedy in the