Act 2.2 Lines 15-39
This monologue (Act 2 Scene 2 Lines 15-39) spoken by Viola is when i believe the audience first picks up a sense of the coming comical web misunderstandings. Here, Viola ponders a ring given to her by Olivia. Viola has just uneventfully spoken with Olivia on behalf of Orsino, trying to win a lady's love for her love-struck master. It is in this monologue that Viola masterfully and systematically works out for the audience that Olivia has consequently fallen in love with her (Viola dressed as Cesario) instead of Orsino. She also lays out, i believe for the first time, her exact feelings for Orsino and her predicament as his wooing ambassador. The speaker for Viola must maintain an air of surprise, genuine amazement at the discovery of Olivia's love for Cesario. Anyone who has acted before knows how difficult it is to render surprise to the audience and have them believe you. That is what makes this monologue so enchanting, it is a mixture of wit and innocence. Viola shows her intelligent mind as she brilliantly conveys the human nature of love to the audience, both from a male and female point of view.
Line 30: "For such as we are made of, such we be."
The audience is on the edge of their seats as they watch this disguised lady pour out the contents of her heart, innocently and kindly laying out Olivia and Orsino's situation, and, with true genius, ends the monologue with this wise couplet:
Line 38&39: "O time, thou must untangle this, not I.
It is too hard a knot for me t'untie."
The audience, i can imagine, are silent. Absolutely silent during this monologue, but smiling. This is a turning point in the play and they know it.
Reply
I agree that Viola is surprised and pondering this interesting predicament. I also believe that this scene could be acted with a bit of ironic humor. Viola is in love with Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, who is in love with Cesario (Viola). Viola knows of this awkward love triangle and (i imagine) is possibly laughing a bit. Though she could also be that her love is in love with someone else. I just find it interesting that she is completely aware of the love triangle, and can't say/do much about it.
Thank you!
I agree with your comment, i think this scene could absolutely be portrayed with a comical air. I have not watched the movie yet, but im excited to see how they played this scene and how i will react to watching it. Thanks again!
comic or sentimental
I think this could be played in either an obviously ironic, somewhat comic or sentimental way. Too comic, though, and the conclusion might not work when Viola finally gets with the Count. It has to work in tandem. Because of that, I might lean toward the sentimental in playing this scene.
Bradley