This question is based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. 'I'll do my best To woo your lady.' What is the…

Analyze the question

The line is from Act 1, Scene 4 of Twelfth Night. It is spoken by Viola, disguised as Cesario, who has agreed to woo Olivia on behalf of Duke Orsino. Viola has already fallen in love with Orsino. The question asks what she sincerely desires, which is different from what she says she will do.

Explain the concept

This is dramatic irony and an aside. Viola's words are:

> "I'll do my best / To woo your lady: [Aside] yet, a barful strife! / Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife."

On the surface she promises to serve Orsino. Her real, hidden wish, which she reveals only to the audience, is to be Orsino's wife herself.

Step-by-step solution

1. The speaker is Viola (as Cesario), and the "lady" is Olivia.
2. Publicly, she pledges to woo Olivia for Orsino.
3. Privately, she loves Orsino and says "myself would be his wife."
4. Her sincere desire is therefore to become the beloved of Orsino, not to help him win Olivia.

Checking the options

• A. Wrong. This is her public stance, not her sincere desire.
• B. Wrong. Her skill at wooing is not her concern.
• C. Matches the key. She wants to be the beloved, meaning Orsino's beloved.
• D. Wrong in this wording. "Wins the love" is vague. Her wish is specifically to be the beloved (to be Orsino's wife), not just to win some love in general.

The key's answer, C, agrees with my working.

Exam tip

When a question says "sincere" or "real" desire, look for an aside or dramatic irony. In Twelfth Night, Viola's words to others often hide her true feelings. Remember "Cesario speaks, Viola feels."