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   appletrees Teacher
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   Having survived a shipwreck, we know Viola is strong, brave, resourceful and resilient, and these are all qualities associated with men at the time this play was written. The character also speaks her mind and goes after what she wants, which indicate an assertive nature; this is contrasted with the other female characters such as Olivia, who tend to be more demure and proper. Viola is witty, intelligent and often somewhat flirtatious in her manner, and these are also qualities that tend to be associated with male behavior and male characters.

   Shakespeare of course wrote these female parts knowing that male actors would be playing these roles, so the emphasis upon strong female characterizations made these parts more dynamic to play. As well, the conceit of disguise allowed the actor to be seen in both male and female costumes. More demure or feminine female characters posed a different challenge for actors, and characters such as Viola allowed actors a fuller range of expression because they had to be believable as both male and female.

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   Posted by appletrees on Monday November 16, 2009 at 6:52 AM