In Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, Viola falls in love with Duke Orsino. From the moment she disguises herself as a young man named Cesario, she becomes close to Orsino as his messenger to Lady Olivia, the woman he loves.
As Viola spends time with Orsino, her feelings for him deepen, even as she is tasked with delivering Orsino’s messages of love to Olivia. This creates a complex mix of emotions, as Viola is caught in a web of unrequited love and disguise. Despite her initial goal of serving Orsino, she finds herself genuinely in love with him.
Ultimately, the layers of love, identity, and miscommunication are central themes in the play, culminating in a resolution that highlights the tangled relationships between the characters, including Viola’s affection for Orsino.