People use masks to hide what they don't want others to see. In William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, characters use masks to hide who they really are. Viola hides as a eunuch to work as Duke Orsino's servant. Malvolio tries to manipulate others into sympathy, but begins to deceive himself. Sir Andrew refuses a duel and does not know how to properly introduce himself to a woman. He's not as smart and tough as he claims to be. The characters in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night carefully use their masks to manipulate, deceive, and protect others. Viola decides to hide as a eunuch to manipulate Duke Orsino into believing that Viola is really a eunuch. Viola has just discovered that the place where she arrived is called Illyria, she did not know where she was after the shipwreck. “Hide from me what I am and be my help in the disguise which will perhaps become the form of my intention. I will serve this duke; You will present me as a eunuch” (Shakespeare 1.2.53-56). Viola would like to work for Countess Olivia but she mourns the death of her brother. Viola decides to disguise herself as a eunuch named Cesario and work for the Duke. Viola has mixed emotions about her new look, but she knows it's the right thing to do so she can keep her true identity a secret. “Be his eunuch, and I will be your mute. When my tongue chatters, my eyes do not see” (1.2.62-64). The captain she meets after washing ashore tells her it's a good idea to become a eunuch. It's because Duke Orsino can't have maids. The captain says... middle of paper...... to end the duel. Sir Andrew begged Cesario not to continue the duel. He even offered his horse to Cesario. His personal belongings because he was scared. Sir Andrew is certainly not as tough as he claims to be. The characters in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night carefully use their masks to manipulate, deceive, and protect others. There is evidence that Viola managed to present herself as a eunuch. Malvolio is also shown to be deceiving himself and trying to manipulate others to gain sympathy because of it. Finally, Sir Andrew is proven to be a stupid liar who thinks he is better than he really is. If you were a character in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Would you like to hide? To manipulate and design others, including yourself, or to simply be yourself? Works CitedThe Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare