FFW II.ii.25

In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Viola speaks in a monologue where she discusses her belief that the character Olivia is falling in love with her. "I am the man." (II.ii.25) Viola's statement is attributed to the lunacy of the play because ironically she is not the man, nor is she any man because she is actually a woman. Her secret identity as a male servant to Duke Orsino has charmed Viola completely on accident. I think she is almost fightened by this because if Olivia continues to persue Cesario, Viola's cover could be blown. At the same time Viola is empowered by it because now she controls the situation, and she can be certain Olivia will not return Orsino's love. This means Olivia is falling in love with a dream of some sort because Cesario does not actually exist. Illyria is a delirious place with delirious ideas and beliefs because while Viola is in love with Orsino, Orsino is currently having Viola try and win the hand of Olivia for him. This love triangle is growing out of hand! In the same monologue as this quote Viola goes on to describe why she believes Olivia is falling for her. She says that Olivia does not speak much around her and her eyes basically say it all for her. When someone has a crush in real life, their eyes do much of the talking while he or she might remain some what speechless around the person. Viola has a problem because if Olivia finds out she is a female, it will blow her cover.