Twelfth Night: Social Order and Society

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In society, it is believed that there is always a certain way people must act and behave themselves. If anyone were to disobey the rules and laws of society, there would be serious consequences. Social order is always something that people will be trying to save, no matter the circumstances. In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, there is a great deal of importance assigned to social order. The social order back in Shakespeare's time was one of the major parts of how they lived and portrayed themselves. In this play, disruption of social order is established by Olivia's refusal to marry Duke Orsino and Viola's attempt to disguise herself as a man. Having these particular incidents occur leaves the rest of society feeling confused and distraught about what they believed in. They were unsure of what they feel is appropriate in their society. Social order and royalty in Illyria but, when it comes down to it, people do and act how they please. Olivia is a young woman of high social status in the town of Illyria. She is a very intelligent female who was grieving over the death of her brother. She was approached and offered to marry Duke Orsino, one of the highest socially standing men around. Now, we think that Olivia would be overwhelmed with joy because it was the socially acceptable thing to do, for two people such as Orsino and Olivia to marry because of their social status, but this is where the social order of Illyria was disrupted. Olivia refused Orsino's proposal. To the people of Illyria, this was major because Orsino was left without a women to marry. Back then, a man of high social status was to marry a female who was of lower social status than him, yet still significant. Duke Orsino was very wealthy and, most times, royalty did not marry out of love, just for status and money but Olivia refused. Olivia did not have any male influences in her life

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