Which Of These Characters Is A Suitor To Olivia

Which of These Characters is a Suitor to Olivia? A Deep Dive into Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a riotous comedy of mistaken identities, unrequited love, and clever disguises. Central to the play's comedic engine is the character of Olivia, a wealthy countess whose affections are pursued by a multitude of suitors, each with their own unique approach and ultimately, varying degrees of success. This article will delve into the complex web of relationships surrounding Olivia, examining the key characters who can be considered suitors, and analyzing their individual strategies and the ultimate outcome of their romantic pursuits.

Defining a "Suitor" in Twelfth Night

Before we embark on our analysis, it's crucial to define what constitutes a "suitor" within the context of the play. A suitor, in this case, isn't simply someone who expresses admiration for Olivia; it requires a more proactive and persistent attempt to win her hand in marriage. This means declarations of love, gifts, and persistent courting. Casual flirtation or fleeting interest will not be considered sufficient for inclusion in this examination.

The Obvious Suitors: Duke Orsino and Sir Andrew Aguecheek

Two characters immediately spring to mind when considering Olivia's suitors: Duke Orsino and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Their approaches, however, couldn’t be more different, reflecting their contrasting personalities and social standing.

Duke Orsino: The Melancholy Lover

Orsino's pursuit of Olivia is arguably the most prominent romantic storyline in the play. He is portrayed as a lovesick Duke, deeply infatuated with Olivia but incapable of directly expressing his feelings in a way that is appealing or effective. His courtship is characterized by:

• Excessive Melancholy: Orsino spends much of the play lamenting his unrequited love, indulging in dramatic pronouncements and self-pitying soliloquies. This approach is hardly appealing to Olivia, who finds his theatricality tiresome. His language of love, filled with elaborate metaphors and poetic descriptions, feels distant and insincere.

• Indirect Approach: Rather than directly approaching Olivia, Orsino employs messengers, including Cesario (Viola in disguise), to convey his affections. This indirect method suggests a lack of courage and a reluctance to face potential rejection. His approach, while romantic in its own way, lacks the directness and sincerity needed to truly win Olivia's heart.

• Obsessive Behavior: Orsino's intense focus on Olivia borders on obsession. He neglects his ducal duties and allows his emotions to consume him. His inability to move on from the rejection highlights his lack of emotional maturity and his unwillingness to consider other options.

Ultimately, Orsino's pursuit of Olivia is a failure. His melodramatic style and indirect methods fail to impress her, highlighting a critical flaw in his character: his inability to truly engage with and understand Olivia as an individual. He is infatuated with the idea of Olivia, not the woman herself. This failure is significant in emphasizing the play's exploration of genuine connection versus superficial attraction. His romantic pursuit demonstrates the pitfalls of idealized love and the limitations of a purely self-absorbed approach. The play effectively uses Orsino's character arc to demonstrate how genuine connection requires genuine effort and a willingness to see beyond idealized notions.

Sir Andrew Aguecheek: The Foolish Aspirant

In stark contrast to Orsino's melancholic approach, Sir Andrew's pursuit of Olivia is characterized by foolishness and naiveté. He's a self-deluded gentleman, easily manipulated by others and utterly lacking in self-awareness. His courtship is marked by:

• Blind Optimism: Sir Andrew believes himself to be a charming and desirable suitor, despite a distinct lack of evidence. He is utterly oblivious to Olivia's clear disinterest. This blatant self-deception provides much of the play's comedic relief. His lack of awareness is part of what makes him so laughable, yet also tragically pathetic.

• Dependence on Others: Sir Andrew relies heavily on Sir Toby Belch and Feste to arrange his encounters with Olivia, demonstrating a lack of confidence and initiative. He allows himself to be manipulated by their schemes which further highlights his naivety and lack of emotional intelligence.

• Financial Investment: Sir Andrew invests considerable money and effort into his pursuit of Olivia, expecting a return on his investment in the form of marriage. This materialistic aspect of his courtship reveals the mercenary undertones of his desire, further emphasizing his shallowness.

Sir Andrew's pursuit is ultimately a comedic failure. He is consistently rebuffed by Olivia, serving as a foil to Orsino's more refined, yet equally unsuccessful, approach. His character serves as a satirical representation of the superficiality and self-deception that can plague romantic pursuits. The comedic elements of his failure also highlight the absurdity of placing unrealistic expectations on a relationship based on superficial attractiveness and external influences rather than genuine connection.

The Unexpected Suitor: Antonio

A more nuanced and less immediately obvious suitor is Antonio. While his affection for Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, is initially presented as platonic, it can be argued to possess strong romantic undertones, particularly within a context of the Elizabethan era. However, his relationship is not a direct pursuit of Olivia's affections and thus, less straightforward in his pursuit compared to Orsino and Andrew.

• Selfless Devotion: Antonio's devotion to Sebastian is evident throughout the play. He risks his own safety to protect Sebastian, exhibiting a level of selflessness and commitment rarely seen in other characters. This dedication could be interpreted as a profound romantic affection that transcends the conventions of typical courtship.

• Subtle Romantic Hints: While Antonio doesn't directly express his feelings to Sebastian in the overt way Orsino does to Olivia, his actions speak volumes. His unwavering support and willingness to sacrifice himself suggest something beyond mere friendship. The intensity of his emotions, when considered in its Elizabethan social context, suggests a deep romantic attachment.

• Indirect Connection to Olivia: Antonio's actions indirectly impact Olivia. His presence in Illyria and his interactions with Sebastian ultimately contribute to the play's resolution and impact the unfolding of romantic relationships around Olivia. However, it's crucial to note his actions are driven by his feelings for Sebastian, not a desire to woo Olivia.

Antonio's role as a potential suitor is complex and open to interpretation. He is not actively pursuing Olivia, his affection lies elsewhere. However, his significant presence in the plot and the intensity of his feelings for Sebastian provide a compelling alternative lens through which to view the dynamics of romantic pursuit in the play. This perspective adds depth to the play's examination of love in its various forms.

The Absence of Other Suitors: A Deliberate Choice

It's noteworthy that Shakespeare deliberately limits the number of explicit suitors for Olivia. This focus on Orsino, Sir Andrew, and the subtle implications surrounding Antonio reinforces the play's themes of illusion versus reality, and the complexities of love and identity. The limited number of suitors allows for a deeper exploration of each character’s motivations and the ultimate impact of their romantic endeavors on Olivia and the wider plot.

Conclusion: A Complex Tapestry of Romantic Pursuits

In conclusion, while multiple characters express interest in Olivia, only Duke Orsino and Sir Andrew Aguecheek actively pursue her hand in marriage, fulfilling our definition of a "suitor." Their contrasting approaches highlight the spectrum of romantic strategies, from the melodramatic and indirect to the foolish and naive. Antonio's presence, while not a direct pursuit of Olivia's affections, adds a layer of complexity to the play's exploration of love, dedication, and selflessness. The careful selection of suitors by Shakespeare allows for a rich exploration of romantic themes within the broader context of mistaken identity and comedic chaos. The deliberate limitation of suitors enhances the impact of the chosen few, furthering the play's complex examination of love and identity. The focus on these specific relationships allows for a more in-depth analysis of their motivations and impact on the overall narrative. The interplay between these characters ultimately drives the plot forward and underscores the central themes of Twelfth Night.