Twelfth Night Essay: Choose 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 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 a series of mistakes and foolish choices, as well as smart moves, when it comes to love. Two characters that stand out in their handling of relationships are Sir Andrew and Viola. While both make mistakes, it can be argued that Sir Andrew is the more foolish character, while Viola displays more wisdom in her approach to love.
Sir Andrew is a character who consistently makes foolish choices throughout the play when it comes to love. From the start, he is easily deceived and manipulated by Sir Toby and Maria. Sir Andrew's foolishness is showcased in his pursuit of Olivia, as he is convinced by Sir Toby that he has a chance with her, despite having no real qualities or compatibility with her. In Act 3, Scene 2, Sir Andrew displays his foolishness when he compares himself to a "great eater of beef" rather than a lover, further highlighting his lack of understanding of love and his own inadequacies.
Furthermore, Sir Andrew's inability to comprehend the situation is evident when he challenges Cesario, who is actually Viola disguised as a man, to a duel in Act 3, Scene 4. Sir Andrew's foolishness is on full display as he falls into the trap set by Sir Toby and becomes a pawn in their scheme. This not only showcases his lack of judgment but also his gullibility and inability to think for himself.
On the other hand, Viola demonstrates more wisdom in her handling of love throughout the play. Despite facing difficult situations, such as being in love with Orsino while disguised as a man, she makes smart choices based on empathy and understanding. In Act 2, Scene 4, Viola displays her wisdom by advising Orsino to acknowledge Olivia's rejection and move on, even though it means potentially losing Orsino's favor. This shows her selflessness and practical thinking, as she wants what is best for Orsino, even if it means sacrificing her own desires.
Furthermore, Viola's decision to disguise herself as Cesario exhibits her wisdom in adapting to her surroundings and making the best out of a challenging situation. By doing so, she gains Orsino's trust and is able to navigate the complexities of love without revealing her true feelings. In Act 2, Scene 2, Viola expresses her wisdom when she says, "I am not what I am", indicating her understanding of the deception necessary for her survival in this unfamiliar environment.
In conclusion, when comparing Sir Andrew and Viola, it is clear that Sir Andrew is the more foolish character, while Viola displays more wisdom in her approach to love. Sir Andrew's foolish choices, lack of judgment, and gullibility are evident throughout the play, while Viola's empathy, understanding, and adaptability showcase her wisdom. Through specific examples from scenes in the play, it is clear that Viola's handling of her relationship situation is wiser, making her a more admirable character in Twelfth Night.