... corresponding to the sex of the character. Furthermore, he presents gender in a way contradictory to the conventions of his time, through the use of disguise. In Elizabethan times, women were not allowed to act on stage, and society considered them to be the weaker sex, who needed to be looked after, or 'owned' ... says 'give me thy hand,' which is too short a time to fall in love with her. It is possible that Shakespeare is suggesting Orsino's repressed homosexuality, which is supported by his fickle attitude to love and women. Orsino contradicts his views on love by saying at one poi...

• Word Count: 2131
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate