There are many themes about mistakes in love and relationships in Twelfth Night: whether it is foolish to love too passionately (Orsino and Olivia both make this mistake), or to put your love where someone doesn’t love you back (again, Orsino and Olivia both make this mistake, so does Sir Andrew) ; or bad to love yourself above others (Malvolio). Viola, being wise, refuses to admit her love to Orsino though she leaves hints, until an appropriate time. Sir Toby realizes that it is better to marry a woman who loves him and will risk trouble for him (Maria), than to cling to his niece’s money.
Choose pnly two of these characters (Orsino, Olivia, Viola, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria, Malvolio), and discuss the mistakes/foolish choices, or smart moves, they make regarding love. Then, in 8-12 paragraphs, persuade me (your reader) as to either which one was more foolish, or which wiser, in how they handled their relationship situation in this play.
Support your viewpoint with specific examples from scenes in the play that show their folly and their wisdom.
Your thesis statement will be a declaration of which is the more foolish, or wiser, between the two.
You can choose to compare two you consider both foolish (which is even more the fool?)
Two which are wise (which is wiser?)
One you feel of each (One fool and one wise).
In Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, the characters make various mistakes and foolish choices when it comes to love and relationships. Two characters who particularly stand out in this regard are Orsino and Olivia. While both of them make similar errors, such as loving too passionately and placing their affection where it is unrequited, they also exhibit moments of wisdom in their handling of their relationships. In this essay, I will argue that Orsino, despite his initial mistakes, ultimately demonstrates more wisdom in his approach to love compared to Olivia.
One of the main mistakes Orsino makes is his passionate and almost obsessive love for Olivia, whom he barely knows. Right from his first appearance in the play, Orsino makes it clear that he is infatuated with Olivia, describing his love for her in exaggerated and hyperbolic language. He says, "If music be the food of love, play on" (Twelfth Night, 1.1.1), and continues to compare his love to an insatiable hunger. This excessive and idolizing love for Olivia is a clear mistake on his part as it demonstrates his lack of understanding of genuine affection and his tendency to indulge in melodramatic emotions.
Similarly, Olivia also makes the mistake of pouring her love and affection on someone who does not reciprocate her feelings, namely Cesario (Viola). Olivia initially falls for Cesario, despite his repeated denials of romantic interest towards her. She sends him various love tokens and desperately tries to woo him, completely ignoring his lack of interest. Olivia's lack of discernment in reading Cesario's disinterest in her reveals her foolish choice of focusing her affection in the wrong direction.
On the other hand, Orsino demonstrates some moments of wisdom when it comes to his handling of relationships. Although initially caught up in his infatuation with Olivia, Orsino eventually realizes the fickle nature of his affections and is able to move on. In Act 5, Scene 1, Orsino expresses his sudden shift of affection towards Viola, recognizing her loyalty and devotion. He says, "In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" (Twelfth Night, 5.1.58-60). This acknowledgement of Viola's virtues and his willingness to change his feelings displays Orsino's ability to learn from his earlier errors.
Olivia, on the other hand, remains trapped in her infatuation with Cesario throughout the play. Even after realizing Cesario's true identity as Viola and his lack of romantic interest, Olivia stubbornly clings to her affection for him. Her refusal to see beyond her own desires and accept the reality of the situation shows her inability to grow and learn from her mistake. Despite the presence of a true connection with Sebastian, Olivia remains fixated on an unattainable love and fails to recognize the potential for a genuine relationship.
In conclusion, while both Orsino and Olivia make similar mistakes in their respective relationships, Orsino ultimately demonstrates more wisdom in handling his situation. Despite his initial foolish infatuation with Olivia, Orsino is quick to realize his errors and shift his affections towards Viola. In contrast, Olivia remains stagnant in her misplaced love for Cesario, unwilling to let go and explore other possibilities. Orsino's ability to grow, learn, and adapt in the face of his mistakes makes him the wiser character when it comes to handling relationships in Twelfth Night.