There is definitely a lot of falling in love with a woman’s looks or money in this play. However, Viola falls in love with Duke Orsino because of his personality.
Duke Orsino specifically mentions Olivia’s looks, and so does Viola when she is trying to convince her to fall for the duke as Cesario. Olivia actually makes a joke about the fact that they are so focused on her appearance.
I will give
out divers schedules of my beauty: it shall be
inventoried, and every particle and utensil
labelled to my will: as, item, two lips,
indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with lids to
them; item, one neck, one chin, and so forth. Were
you sent hither to praise me? (Act 1, Scene 5)
Sir Andrew also wants to marry Olivia even though he does not really know her. He is more interested in maintaining his status by getting a hold of her money, though. Either way, neither of them are in love with her for her personality.
The best example of a person who marries just for looks is Sebastian. He marries Olivia even though he doesn’t even know her. (She thinks that she is marrying Cesario.) He even wonders if she is crazy, or he is, but figures he might as well go along with it.
SEBASTIAN
What relish is in this? how runs the stream?
Or I am mad, or else this is a dream:
Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep;
If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep!OLIVIA
Nay, come, I prithee; would thou'ldst be ruled by me!
SEBASTIAN
Madam, I will. (Act 4, Scene 1)
Viola, on the other hand, loves Orsino. She has a chance to get to know him while she pretends to be Cesario, and she cares about his personality and not just his looks. When Cesario finds out she is a woman, he seems quite ready to switch affections and love her. Of course, he also knows her personality, even if it was in the guise of a man.
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