Twelfth Night

THE CHANGING ROLE IN VIOLA/CESARIO IN THE TWELFTH NIGHT

In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", it is clearly evident that the
fluctuation in attitude to the dual role and situation and tribulations
imposed upon the character of Viola/Cesario ends up in a better
understanding of both sexes, and thus, allows Viola to have a better
understanding for Orsino. Near the opening of the play, when Viola is
adopting her male identity, she creates another self, like two masks and
may decide to wear one or the other while swinging between the two
identities in emotion and in character. She decides to take on this
identity because she has more freedom in society in her Cesario mask, which
is evident when she is readily accepted by Orsino, whereas, in her female
identity she would not be. Thus, a customary role in society and to the
outlooks of others is portrayed.

Orsino sees Cesario, as a young squire just starting out in the world,
much like himself as a young, spry lad, ...