Characters From Shakesperes Tw

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When she enters Orsino's service, her talent, wit, and good looks quickly captivate him, just as, soon after, when she's sent to "woo" Olivia, these qualities also entrance the Countess. Indeed, in almost every scene in which she appears - whether she's jesting with Feste, quietly philosophizing with Orsino, or gracefully flattering Olivia-Viola's courtly skill and down-to-earth charm are clearly evident. Most of all, when she herself falls deeply, and apparently hopelessly, in love with Orsino, though she feels very strongly the frustration and pain of her position (disguised as a boy, but perfectly able to love like a woman) her justifiable melancholy is neither extravagant, like Olivia's, nor egotistical, like Orsino's. She does her best at all times to conceal it, and we can't help respecting her for her determination to sit "like Patience on a monument," always putting the best face on things and always, whenever possible, "smiling at grief."
Olivia
Though basically a ...

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for the "youth" almost at the first opportunity. (Viola, in contrast, comes close to confessing her love for Orsino, but her iron self-control doesn't weaken in the end.)

Despite all her faults, however, Olivia has many redeeming good qualities. She's undeniably beautiful and intelligent. More important, she's generous and wise in the rule of her household, as her basically kind treatment of both the drunken Toby and the "mad" Malvolio attests. Furthermore, though she herself is essentially serious - and throughout Twelfth Night, melancholy - she has a sense of humor and can appreciate true wit wherever she finds it, whether in the page "Cesario," or in Feste, the jester. In sum, ...

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