Misperception and Deception in William Shakespeares...

Misperception and Deception in Twelfth Night Twelfth Night is likely one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining and complete comedy. This romance explores a generous wealth of themes and issues. The most recurrent theme is the relationship between misperception and deception. As a result of their environment and immediate circumstances, men are forced into misperceptions. Paradoxically, they are completely trapped by these illusions. Between the bad fortune they encounter and the bad fortune they themselves generate, they become caught between a rock and a hard place; they are victims of deceit as well as their own folly. The relationship between misperception and deception has numerous effects: it gives way to†¦show more content†¦Of course, in reality, Viola and Sebastian were being confused. The main plot of Twelfth Night revolves around the cause of such confusion resulting in disillusioned and self-deceived characters. The main plot of the play involves twins of the opposite sex who are separated during a tragic shipwreck, each believing the other to be dead. The female, Viola, disguises herself as male and serves in the love-sick Duke Orsinos Court, where Tis said no woman may approach his court. Orsino then uses Viola - who, in male dress is known as Cesario - to attempt to woo Countess Olivia for himself, whereupon the Countess falls in love with Viola and Viola with Orsino. This love triangle is brought to a conclusion when Sebastian, the male twin, stumbles upon the Countess grounds and, mistaken for Viola in mans guise, is promptly married to Olivia. The twins are therefore united when Viola reveals her true identity. Thus the main plot revolves around misperception and deception, and the main plot is paralleled by the sub-plot. The sub-plot concerns the activities of the Countesss servants. It largely involves the plotting of Malvolios downfall. There is an attempt to make him appear a fool before Olivia (...here comes the trout which must be caught with tickling.). Maria imitates Olivias handwriting in forging a letter professing Olivias love for him. Malvolio, overjoyed with such news,Show MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares As You Like It As a Study of Perception and Misperception2315 Words   |  10 PagesWilliam Shakespeares As You Like It As a Study of Perception and Misperception The concepts of perception and misperception are common themes in many of Shakespeares plays and can be found in his comedies, tragedies and histories alike. Shakespeare explores these often-parallel elements through several different forms in his work, such as disguise, mistaken identity and blindness, and events caused by these can lead to amusing, confusing or sometimes tragic consequences