Motif of Love in Twelfth Night Essay Example
Master of Destiny:
Motif of Love in Twelfth Night
A motif is an image, idea, theme, character, or verbal pattern that recurs in a story, novel, poem, or play. It serves a purpose such as unifying the action or symbolizing an idea. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the motif of love serves as the main plot, a complete love triangle, and reinforces the connection of the main plot to the sub-plots. Several types of love are presented, such as romantic love, experienced by Viola and Orsino as well as Olivia and Sebastian. The state of being carried away with unreasoned love, infatuation, is represented by the Duke Orsino along with Olivia. Self-love, one’s admiration for himself and its consequences, is explored by Malvolio. Viola, Sebastian, and Olivia show fraternal love as they long for a sibling and Antonio demonstrates loyalty as he sacrifices himself for his dear friend, Sebastian. Romantic love, one’s unconditional love, consists of a great portion of the play as it forms a part of the love triangle and is a key element when all issues concerning identity are resolved. First experienced by Viola, she, disguised as a eunuch, starts to fall in love with the Duke Orsino. When sent by the Duke to seek Olivia’s love, Viola makes it clear to the audience saying, “Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife” (I, iv, 42) . Later on, she becomes aware of the existence of a love triangle. Viola’s situation, already complex, worsens and she states, “My state is desperate for my master’s love” (II, ii, 36). When questioned about her love interest by the Duke, Viola answers someone “Of your complexion” (II, iv, 26) and “About your years, my lord” (II, iv, 28), subtly hinting her love. Troubled by her position in the love triangle, Viola decides to ask the Duke himself, who refuses to accept that Olivia does not share his love, what to do. She seeks helpful answers when she says,
Say that some lady, as perhaps there is,
Hath for you love as great a pang
Motif of Love in Twelfth Night
A motif is an image, idea, theme, character, or verbal pattern that recurs in a story, novel, poem, or play. It serves a purpose such as unifying the action or symbolizing an idea. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the motif of love serves as the main plot, a complete love triangle, and reinforces the connection of the main plot to the sub-plots. Several types of love are presented, such as romantic love, experienced by Viola and Orsino as well as Olivia and Sebastian. The state of being carried away with unreasoned love, infatuation, is represented by the Duke Orsino along with Olivia. Self-love, one’s admiration for himself and its consequences, is explored by Malvolio. Viola, Sebastian, and Olivia show fraternal love as they long for a sibling and Antonio demonstrates loyalty as he sacrifices himself for his dear friend, Sebastian. Romantic love, one’s unconditional love, consists of a great portion of the play as it forms a part of the love triangle and is a key element when all issues concerning identity are resolved. First experienced by Viola, she, disguised as a eunuch, starts to fall in love with the Duke Orsino. When sent by the Duke to seek Olivia’s love, Viola makes it clear to the audience saying, “Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife” (I, iv, 42) . Later on, she becomes aware of the existence of a love triangle. Viola’s situation, already complex, worsens and she states, “My state is desperate for my master’s love” (II, ii, 36). When questioned about her love interest by the Duke, Viola answers someone “Of your complexion” (II, iv, 26) and “About your years, my lord” (II, iv, 28), subtly hinting her love. Troubled by her position in the love triangle, Viola decides to ask the Duke himself, who refuses to accept that Olivia does not share his love, what to do. She seeks helpful answers when she says,
Say that some lady, as perhaps there is,
Hath for you love as great a pang