Many people wear masks to disguise their feelings, either intentionally or subconsciously, and in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, the characters do just that. Viola, a twin who seems to have lost a brother in a shipwreck, disguises herself as a man to be able to get along by herself. Olivia, a countess who has also lost her brother, hides behind a veil of sadness, only to fall in love with the disguised Viola. Orsino, a duke, seems to have fallen hopelessly in love with Olivia, but actually loves Viola without even knowing it. The masks of Viola, Orsino, and Olivia demonstrate that these facades can interfere with the character's relationships.

Disguised as Cesario, Viola lets her mask keep herself from the one she loves, Orsino, and allows Olivia to fall in love with Cesario, who does not truly exist. When Viola first decides to dress as a man...