Andrew Welton

February 13, 2013

Ms. Sweezey

                The Character Viola is very crucial to the overall plot of the play. She provides the false identity that allows the love triangle we see in the play to exist. Viola makes others think she is a man in order to gain a job after a tragedy in her personal life. As the plot unfolds, we learn that other characters have fallen in love with her on the predisposition that she is actually a man. This leads to great confusion amongst characters which is the primary and central plot of the play. Thus the character Viola is central to the play. Viola is smart and she always uses practical reason to figure out her problems. For instance, when her brother dies she dresses like a man only to get a job. This is using reason because instead of mourning and being poor she goes out and achieves. Viola is the brother of Sebastian and becomes the hand of the Duke Orsino. This makes her attract Olivia as she looks like a man. Viola stated about women’s love “And so they are: alas, that they are so; To die, even when they to perfection grow”. This quote specifically shows her deception and capabilities thereof. Viola also stated: “Sooth, but you must. Say that some lady, as perhaps there is, Hath for your love a great a pang of heart As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her; You tell her so; must she not then be answer'd?” which defines Viola because it shows her capabilities to argue with her smarts as well as her admiring of women which she is unknowingly to the other characters. Viola also explained, “Alas, I took great pains to study it, and 'tis poetical,” which further explains Viola because it shows her willingness to put on a show to keep up her deceit. This speaks to her character because the whole sub plot of the novel is created by her deceit.