Twelfth Night Group

Question:

rebrob77
rebrob77
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In "Twelfth Night", what language does Viola use when talking about her love?

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Posted by rebrob77 on Friday October 10, 2008 at 9:26 AM and tagged with characters, language, love, twelfth night, viola.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Viola uses different language according to when she is discussing love. When she first agrees to court for Orsino, in Act I, she uses a public language to him, one that's straightforward, and another when talking to herself, or the audience. You can see that here:

    "I'll do my best
    To woo your lady. [Aside] Yet, a barful strife!
    Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife."

     

    The first half is straightforward-masculine, if you will, to align with her false persona. The second half is poetic, revealing her true heart. It rhymes, uses alliteration, and so on.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/twelfth-text/act-i-scene-iv

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    Posted by gbeatty on Friday October 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM