Twelfth Night Group

Question:

mrsanjalisood
mrsanjalisood
Teacher

Explain the following words spoken by Viola: "The poor lady might as well love a dream".

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Posted by mrsanjalisood on Wednesday February 7, 2007 at 8:18 PM and tagged with twelfth night, viola.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Viola here is talking about Olivia's love for her (Viola). Olivia might as well love a dream because she's fallen in love with Viola while she (Viola) is disguised as a man. (Viola visits Olivia disguised as Cesario to declare Orsino's love for Olivia.) So, to Viola on a conscious level, these words simply mean that Olivia's love is hopeless. However, they also work on two other levels. Since Viola is falling for Orsino and can't share that emotion with him, her love too is like a dream. What's more, since Viola has a brother who appears later the play (and who Olivia can love), Olivia's impossible love really can work out, just like good dreams do.

    Greg

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    Posted by gbeatty on Thursday February 8, 2007 at 9:13 AM


  2. damini Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    Viola is talking about Olivia falling in love with her

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    Posted by damini on Sunday June 17, 2007 at 12:00 PM