Olivia is a fictional character from William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, believed to have been written around 1600 or 1601. She is at the center of the various plots, both the comedic and the romantic. She has various suitors, but ends the play with Sebastian, the brother of the main protagonist, Viola.
Role in the Play edit
Olivia is a beautiful lady of noble birth who lives in Illyria. Before the play begins, she has recently lost her brother who was her guardian after her father passed away. This loss has made her grief stricken and she has refused to see anyone who does not preside in her household, and declared that she will be in mourning for the next seven years. She is therefore surrounded by her young serving lady Maria, her uncle Sir Toby Belch, her steward Malvolio, the jester Feste, and Sir Toby's friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Because of her wealth and beauty Olivia attracts various men who wish to marry her. The play begins with a the Duke of Illyria, Orsino, pining away over his love for Olivia while she refuses to accept him as a suitor. Sir Andrew has been invited to her household by Sir Toby, and Andrew hopes to use his stay to make Olivia his bride. Malvolio uses his position as steward to gain her affections.
Despite all of the rumpus going on at her home, Olivia refuses all visitors until Orsino sends his new page, the protagonist of the play, Viola, to call on her. Olivia, quickly falls in love with the witty Cesario (Viola's name when she is in disguise).
Viola has been recently shipwrecked and she has taken on the disguise of a boy so that she may work for Orsino with no one knowing her true identity. During the shipwreck, Viola lost her brother, Sebastian and she believes that he has died.
Olivia attempts to woo the young Cesario/Viola and repeatedly asks him to come back to her estate. Olivia eventually comes to the conclusion that she must marry him. However, in a moment of recklessness, she accidentally marries Viola's brother Sebastian. All ends well however, because Sebastian and his sister are extremely similar.
The climax of the play takes place at Olivia's estate. It is here where Olivia and Sebastian are hastily married, Viola and Sebastian rediscover each other, Malvolio is rescued, Orsino proposes to Viola, etc.[1]
Character Interpretation edit
Olivia is involved in all three of the main plots of the play: Orsino's love for her brings Cesario to her estate, Olivia's love for Cesario leads her into marriage with Sebastian, and the entire plot with Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Malvolio revolves around Andrew and Malvolio's supposed love for her.
She is thought to be not as quick witted as Viola because Feste is able to outsmart Olivia while Viola is able to turn his wit back on him. Olivia falls into love with Cesario very quickly and decides, that despite her previous declaration of mourning, that she will marry him. This shows how strong her feelings are and that she can be easily swayed from previous emotions.
Some have seen Olivia and Viola as parallel characters. And as such, when Olivia falls in love with Cesario, she's falling for a character that represents whom she would like to be.
Depictions in Film and on Stage edit
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. Because of this, the play has been produced for both the stage and film multiple times.
Stage edit
In 2009, Shakespeare in the Park put on a production starring Anne Hathaway as Viola and Audra McDonald as Olivia.
Film edit
In the first film version of the play, made in 1910, Julia Swayne Gordon depicted Lady Olivia.
Helena Bonham Carter famously played Olivia in Trevor Nunn's film, Twelfth Night.
In 2006 the play was adapted into a modern retelling of the play called She's the Man starring Amanda Bynes as Viola and Laura Ramsey as Olivia. [2]
References edit
- ^ "Shakespeare Reference Center
- ^ She's the Man, DreamWorks,17 March 2006.
Sources edit
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will