Character sketch of Viola

 

Viola is the most vital character in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a romantic comedy. She is the heroine of this play. She is the most charming character in the world of Shakespeare.

Viola is very practical in her life. She has strong willpower and she is the mistress of her will. As a shipwrecked orphan, she has no one to protect her, she must resort to some means whereby her safety is assured. She knows that a single woman unattended in a foreign land would be in an extremely dangerous position. Consequently, she evaluates the sea captain's character, finds it suitable, and wisely places her trust in him. She takes no time in making future plans for herself. Within three days she wins the Duke’s favour with her sweetness and devotion. She plays the role of a boy so nicely. She knows well how to grab success. She is a keen observer of life and the world. That’s why she is never deceived.

Her radiant hope and sweet temperament make her an excellent character.  In the play, she is appreciated by all. She knows her duty well and performs it honestly. She goes again and again to Olivia and very earnestly and sincerely tries to enkindle love in her heart. We should also remember that even though she is in love with the duke, she is loyal in her missions and she tries to win Lady Olivia's love for him.

Viola’s character reflects her modesty. It is a precious jewel of her character. She disguises herself as a boy so that she will be safe and have a man's freedom to move about without protection. We know that she has a great love for the Duke but due to her modesty, she never expressed it. By putting Olivia and Viola in the same situation, Shakespeare shows the two ways of dealing with it. While Olivia chooses to mourn for her brother, Viola opts for looking forward. Viola attaches hope to the good fortune of her own survival and asserts faith that her brother may not have drowned at all. It is interesting to note the contrast between Olivia and Viola. Viola displays intelligence, and self-control and has a mature respect for love. Her views of love are confident, compared to Olivia who has no concept of the idea of true love.

Viola also has native intelligence, an engaging wit, and an immense amount of charm. These qualities will help her obtain her position with Duke Orsino, and they are also the same qualities which cause Lady Olivia to immediately fall in love with her. It was her charming personality, we should remember, which won her the sea captain's loyalty, without whose help her disguise would have never succeeded. And within a short three days, her wit, charm, loyalty, and her skill in music and conversation won her the complete trust of Duke Orsino.

Viola is essentially a woman. She may disguise herself as a man, but she has a woman’s tenderness, pity lack of physical boldness and courage. She is afraid of bloodshed and violence. She nearly faints at the sight of bright swords in the brief comic scene of her fight with Sir Andrew.

Viola’s love is pure noble and sacrificing. Her love is not the sentimental love of Duke, Orsino for Olivia not the impulsive love of Olivia for Sebastian, nor the sensual love of Sir Toby for Maria, nor the shallow love of Sir Andrew for Olivia, nor the self-love of Malvolio. Her love is sincere and noble love of the heart. She loves Orsino and never speaks of it.

Viola is a lovable character. In the play, she is appreciated by all. She knows her duty well and follows it strictly suppressing all her personal feelings and emotions. That’s why a scholar exclaims: ‘….Rosalind is a woman, Viola is a poem.”