Shakespeare's Twelfth Night & themes?

Question

After reading the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, I am to support this quote with examples from the play:

"Things do not change; we change." - Henry David Thoreau.

Can anyone help me on this? I have a few ideas, but I am not completely sure how this fits in with the story.

Answer 1

Throughout the play, the characters go through great changes. For example, Viola pretends to be Cesario just to get a job with the duke. She is in love with the Duke during the entire play. This circumstance does not change, she does by revealing herself as a girl, who the Duke falls in love with. There are many situations like this. Look at the prank that the two knights play on Malvolio. He thinks that Olivia loves him, and all of sudden his persona changes completely based on what a silly letter told him. Nothing changed except the way he looked at life. Try and look for more on your own! Shakespeare is much more fun to interpret when you come up with your ideas. I'll give you a hint. Look at the various things the Clown says. He is a very important character when you're studying theme!