How Is Language Used to Show the Relationship Between Olivia and Viola?

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How is language used to show the relationship between Olivia and Viola? It is in Act 1 Scene 5 that one of the major themes in Twelfth Night is first established; the subject of how Olivias attitude is changed by her relationship with Viola. First of all, both Olivia and Viola are both mourning a brother which immediately foreshadows a relationship between them before their first encounter because they both share the same pain and grief- the loss of a loved one. However, there are differences in the manner of their mourning. Olivia is entirely submerged in mourning; she “shall not behold her face at ample view”- she wears a black veil to conceal her sad face. Moreover, Valentine uses the metaphor “eye-offending brine” to describe Olivias tears; the word ‘brine’ suggests how her tears will preserve her brothers memory in her sad remembrance. In my opinion, opposites attract as Violas mourning is very different as she wishes and hopes that her brother survived and did not drown. Ironically, it is through Orsinos extreme attempts to woo and win over Olivia that she falls for “Cesario” (Viola). The turning point is when Viola goes about what “he” would do if she was wooing Olivia; “If i did love you in my master flame”. “Make me a willow cabinet at your gate” -Viola uses ‘willow’ the symbol of unrequited love to describe her actions if she were in pursuit of Olivias heart. This is where Olivia appears to fall for “Cesario” as she immediately asks “what is your parentage”; perhaps to see if “Cesario” is of a high enough rank to be considered for marriage- she is clearly interested in him. Furthermore, it is also clear that Olivia has fallen for Viola when she says “unless, perchance, you come to see me again”- she wants to see “Cesario” again which is not common for Olivia. The fact that she is encouraging Cesario to return proves that her shows of

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