So, we're going to look at a scene with Viola and Orsino, and let's just be clear about
what's happening with these characters. Orsino is the master, Viola is a servant. She is
dressed as a boy, she is pretending to be a male servant. Where are we in their story?
Well, they've been together for three days, and have struck up a great friendship and
have got very close, and he has asked Cesario to go and woo Olivia on his behalf. She's
attempted to do that, unsuccessfully, and in doing so has discovered that actually Olivia
has fallen in love with Cesario.
Of course, Viola has started to have feelings for Orsino herself, and Orsino has started
to have feelings for Cesario. So, there's all sorts of complicated romantic feelings
going on here.
Tell me about where you think their heads are at this moment. Nick, where's Orsino as
he comes into this scene?
Well, I think this scene is the turning point in their relationship, and I think probably
the scene starts off with Orsino pretty focused on Olivia but interested in Cesario. And then
maybe by the end of it, that has shifted some.
Right, and Denita, tell me about what you feel Viola's coming in with.
I think she wants to really make it clear to Orsino that he needs to put pursuing Olivia
to bed, because that's not going to happen. But, as Nick said, this is a turning point
in their relationship and they are getting very close and she can't help but, sort of,
allow her feelings to come out a little.
It would be interesting to look at a version where she is trying very hard to be a very
good servant, and she doesn't want to reveal her feelings. She's very scared that one false
move and he might say 'hey, you're a girl'. And maybe where Orsino is also very guarded.
Yes and maintain the focus on Olivia in a way.
Yes, she's the object of his affections.
Duke Orsino: Make no compare
Between that love a woman can bear me And that I owe Olivia.
Viola: Ay, but I know--
Duke Orsino: What dost thou know?
Viola: Too well what love women to men may owe:
In faith, they are as true of heart as we. My father had a daughter loved a man,
As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship.
Duke Orsino: And what's her history?
Viola:
A blank, my lord. She never told her love, But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?
We men may say more, swear more: but indeed Our shows are more than will; for still we
prove Much in our vows, but little in our love.
Duke Orsino: But died thy sister of her love, my boy?
Viola: I am all the daughters of my father's house,
And all the brothers too: and yet I know not. Sir, shall I to this lady?
Duke Orsino: Ay, that's the theme.
To her in haste; give her this jewel; say, My love can give no place, bide no denay.
I want to know what you thought about that version, what did it do for you?
Well, I think it's interesting, but it's not necessarily very, there's not much tension
really because they're both playing disinterested in a way so I feel that -
Did it feel a bit easy?
It felt a bit easy and it felt a maybe, if it's a scene where two people aren't really
engaged then why are we watching it?
I think it's interesting to start off like that, but I think they've got to go somewhere,
because the next time these two characters meet is at the end, so I think we need to
see more of a development in that relationship.
I think it would be interesting to see a version where Orsino was more conscious of the fact
that Cesario is perhaps talking about herself, or talking, when she says 'my father had a
daughter' - I think he could be more interested in that story.
Ok, I tell you what, let's do another version but the complete opposite, because I think
it would be really interesting if they don't cover at all and Viola is desperate to tell
Orsino what she really feels and so she goes out of her way, goes all round the houses
trying to find different ways to show him that she's in love with him; and that Orsino
is fascinated by this person, this extraordinary servant. So shall we just give that a go and
see what that gives us?
Lovely, thank you.
Duke Orsino: Make no compare
Between that love a woman can bear me And that I owe Olivia.
Viola: Ay, but I know--
Duke Orsino: What dost thou know?
Viola: Too well what love women to men may owe:
In faith, they are as true of heart as we. My father had a daughter loved a man,
As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship.
Duke Orsino: And what's her history?
Viola:
A blank, my lord. She never told her love, But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?
We men may say more, swear more: but indeed Our shows are more than will; for still we
prove Much in our vows, but little in our love.
Duke Orsino: But died thy sister of her love, my boy?
Viola: I am all the daughters of my father's house,
And all the brothers too: and yet I know not. Sir, shall I to this lady?
Duke Orsino: Ay, that's the theme.
To her in haste; give her this jewel; say, My love can give no place, bide no denay.
I thought that was interesting, wasn't it, because it was so clear, what they were both
really thinking, it was a love scene between a man and a woman, and in a way - I don't
know what you thought - I just felt I missed a little bit of the tension, because it was
like, they had given the game away.
Absolutely, it's got to cost them more I think, it's got to feel more dangerous, otherwise
we lose the stakes completely I think. So, feeling like they've got to hold something
back is really important, yeah so I missed a bit of the first scene really.
Yeah, so it's a bit more, sort of, tug of war.
The audience have got to know what's going on. The characters don't. They are in full
possession of all the facts. we are not. I don't know who Cesario is, clearly, and I
don't know what your feelings are for me and vice versa I think, so the more we can maintain
that, I think, the more interesting it is for the audience.