Disguised characters in plays - 1131 Words

William Shakespeare often used disguised characters in his plays to enrich the plot; women characters often disguised themselves as men in Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespeare used these disguises to his advantage, especially the woman characters. What other purposes did Shakespeare have for writing disguised characters into his plays? More times than not, these disguises led to trouble, confusion, and misplaced affection. Shakespeare’s use of disguises taught not only the characters in involved but the audience that appearances can be deceiving and that everything is not as it seems. Shakespeare’s best-disguised characters are the ones that do not require a change clothing and name. For example, in Measure for Measure a character named Angelo†¦show more content†¦Rosalind could have done that but to truly get to know Orlando she felt that she would be able to get a better sense of his true character if Orlando did not know that she was near. Rosalind in the play finds Orlando while disguised as Ganymede, and patronizes him for being in love, and continues to tell him that he is not in love. Rosalind decides that she is going to take advantage of her disguise and test Orlando’s love for, without getting hurt. Rosalind tells Orlando that she will help â€Å"cure† him of love by pretending to be his Rosalind and allow him to court her. Rosalind in (As You Like It III.ii.426-427) says, â€Å"I would cure you, if you but call me Rosalind, and come to my cote and woo me. † Viola uses her disguise differently she does not play games with Orsino, and just enjoys the freedoms that her disguise ‘Cesario’ allows her. While Viola is just happy to be near the man she loves, and content to stay in his favor as his favorite page. Viola’s character is different from Rosalind’s character because Viola does not take advantage of Orsino, as Rosalind does with Orlando to test his love for her. Viola even th ough she loves Orsino devotes herself to helping Orsino gain love from his beloved Olivia. The audience might say that out of these two characters that Viola was the sensible one. Rosalind and Viola both however, have something in common with one another. They both teach other major characters about real love, and what love is all about. Rosalind hasShow MoreRelatedShakespeares Use of the Idea of Disguise in As You Like It1217 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare uses the idea of disguise in many of his plays. It is used as an escape from the characters’ personalities and sometimes for comic effect. In As You Like it, the disguise becomes very comical as in the time it was written only men could act on stage. This could lead to much confusion and comedy in the roles of those in disguise. Disguise can give the freedom to a character to act how they like and a chance for them to show their views. It was in the 16th Century that there became an increasedRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1543 Words   |  7 PagesAt one point in our lives, we have all disguised our true identity and pretended to be someone we are not. We all have sat abaft a screen pretending to be the antithesis sex, or just someone innominate in order to get our true feelings and emotions out. Similarly, Shakespeare utilizes the theme of disguise in countless plays, specifically in As you like it and Twelfth Night. 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For instance, Violas disguise as CesarioRead MoreAnalyzing Themes in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagesmany plays he wrote he wrote one his most famous play, â€Å"Twelfth Night†, which he wrote during the middle of his career. â€Å"Twelfth Night† is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies that he has written. In addition to it is also the only play that he wrote that has an alternate title which is called, â€Å"Twelfth Night, or What You Will†. By analyzing the themes presented in the play: Actions of love, Gender, and madness, helps show what Shakespeare conveyed about love. In the play, oneRead MoreSignificance of Language in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew529 Words   |  3 PagesShrew, Shakespeare uses the word sirrah at few different times throughout the play. 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