Essay
A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE SECTION A A* ESSAY A5S1
An A* response/Band 5 for the extract question in section A of the AQA aspects of comedy paper based on an extract from A5S1
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EmmaThe comic function of this extract is characterised by a tense confrontation between Orsino and
Olivia, whom the audience is seeing appear together on the stage for the first time. Shakespeare
creates comedy through the tension that arises between the two, and how the confusion of
Cesario’s mistaken identity leads to false accusations and creates tension between Viola and Orsino.
Previously, the audience have seen Olivia marry Sebastian, however she has mistaken him for
Cesario due to their identical appearance and same costume, and as a result feels betrayed when
Viola reveals her love for Orsino, despite the dark undercurrents surrounding Orsino’s threats.
However, this extract is also vital in preparing for the comic resolution and marriage reunion
between Viola and Orsino, however perhaps the threatening tone of Orsino’s harangue is used by
Shakespeare to suggest that their marriage ultimately will not lead to joy for our protagonist Viola.
Immediately, comedy arises from Olivia’s entrance onto stage at the extract’s exposition, as this is
the first time Orsino and Olivia have appeared on stage together throughout the whole play. Irony
arises from the way that throughout the play, Orsino has claimed to be devoted in his love to Olivia
yet has never once attempted to woo her himself. Ironically, even here he has not chosen to seek
her himself, as she simply enters the street he is standing on, perhaps demonstrating the
superficiality of Orsino’s love. The comedy is shaped through Orsino’s loving language through the
religious image of ‘Now heaven walks on earth’ to describe Olivia as a goddess, because it questions
why he was so idle in wooing someone he claims to have so much adoration for. Dramatic irony
arises from how Orsino claims that Antonio’s ‘words are madness’, when accusing Cesario of
betraying him, as the audience understands that Antonio has mistaken Cesario for Sebastian,
however since neither Viola nor Orsino are aware Sebastian is alive, it creates confusion surrounding
Antonio’s accusation. These further cements the comedy later in the extract through the comic
parallel formed when Olivia makes the same mistake of confusing the Cesario disguise for Sebastian.
Therefore, the audience delight in Olivia’s accusatory language ‘Cesario, you do not keep promise
with me’, as not only does it emphasise the confusion and chaos created by disguise, but perhaps
Shakespeare also ridicules human weaknesses through mistaken identity, as despite various
characters being confused, none- not even Viola herself, has considered that there may be two
separate characters involved.
Indeed. the comedy is sharpened through Shakespeare’s possible satirisation of the feudal class
system when Olivia prioritises Cesario’s speech over Orsino’s. Despite Orsino being the Duke of
Illyria and Olivia also having a high status, it is also important to consider how this extract takes place
on the street rather than in either of their palaces like most of the play. Instantly, this comedic use of
setting highlights the shift in power dynamics and ultimately suggests that the consequences of
disguise have caused all characters to lose their control. Again, there is something ironic about how
Orsino lovingly expresses ‘Gracious Olivia’, as it is ironically late in the play for him to be directly
expressing his love for her. The comedy is heightened through Olivia’s inversion of stereotypes as
she encourages Cesario to speak over his master through ‘What do you say, Cesario?’, as it goes
against societal expectations for the duke to have control. Perhaps Shakespeare does this to allow
the audience to delight in the chaos and misrule of the Twelfth Night celebrations, where roles were
reversed, and expectations subverted. Alternatively, this dismissal of Orsino’s speech could also
satirise the folly of Orsino’s unrequited love, as it highlights the stupidity of Orsino’s persistent
stubbornness in trying to woo Olivia despite her clear uninterest. However, this moment is also vital
in strengthening our admiration for the protagonist through reinforcing Viola’s devotion and loyalty.
Viola’s use of metaphor ‘My Lord would speak, my duty hushes me’, highlights Viola’s love for Orsino
through allowing him to do what he wants and following his orders. Although, this could also be
seen as somewhat of a tragic undertone implying the dangers and restrictions of Viola’s disguise.
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