Mistaken Love

Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare

2 characters

2-3 min

comedic

Characters

Viola (F)

Disguised as Cesario, a young man

Olivia (F)

A countess in mourning

Context

Olivia has fallen in love with Cesario (Viola in disguise), who is actually a woman sent to woo Olivia for Duke Orsino.

Scene Text

OLIVIA:

Stay: I prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me.

VIOLA:

That you do think you are not what you are.

OLIVIA:

If I think so, I think the same of you.

VIOLA:

Then think you right: I am not what I am.

OLIVIA:

I would you were as I would have you be!

VIOLA:

Would it be better, madam, than I am? I wish it might, for now I am your fool.

OLIVIA:

O, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip! A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon. Cesario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honour, truth and everything, I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.

VIOLA:

By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom and one truth, And that no woman has; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone.

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