Twelfth Night - Love

Love, in my opinion, is such a slippery topic. Everyone has their own opinions about what love is or should be.

Anyway, here we go again.

I don't really know if Orsino loves Olivia as much as he says he does. I don't really think there's much evidence to support it. Like many men in power, they crave what is unavailable to them. In this case, Olivia is unavailable to Orsino. Both by the mourning of her brother, and by her clear disdain for Orsino.

Olivia is so smitten with Cesario because of his "gentlemanly" conduct. Though "he" was only carrying out Orsino's wishes, Olivia doesn't bother separating the duty of Cesario and his words. Obviously there is textual evidence when Olivia sends after Cesario once "he" leaves. Shakespeare does reconcile the relationship because he gives Orsino's hand to Viola, while Olivia gets Cesario's twin, Sebastian.

Orsino is still fine with this, as he ultimately marries Viola (after she changes). However, Orsino's willingness to marry Viola given the fact that she's essentially been a man this entire time shows that Orsino didn't mind. However, it should be noted that Orsino does know that Viola is a chick as this point.

The play has a much looser interpretation of same-sex desire. It treats it as a comedic topic, but still Orsino's willingness to marry Viola while still dressed as a man makes it seem that there was a bit more being said. I definitely don't think same sex desire precludes the ability to be attracted to opposite sexes. I mean I think there's no real reason why same-sex couples would make other heterosexual couples not be attracted to the opposite sex anymore. That's just stupid..