Love songs - Twelfth

Every time we think of a love song, we tend to associate them with all the beautiful feelings in the world. But, indeed, if we start to think on the lyrics we may realize that many of them express suffering or selfish love.

If music be the food of love, play on;

Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,

The appetite may sicken, and so die.

That strain again! it had a dying fall:

O, it came o’er my ear like the sweet sound,

That breathes upon a bank of violets,

Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no more:

’Tis not so sweet now as it was before. (Act I)

In the very beginning, we can see how Orsino uses the music to express his feelings; probably his first purpose was to show his strong love towards Olivia, but know, as she is no capable to love because the loss of her brother, Orsino is expressing how painful love can be.

On the other hand Viola loves Orsino but, as Cesario, causes Olivia to fell in love with her. This is part of the androgyny of the character that can attract either men or women. In addition, Antonio’s homo-erotic love for Sebastian who only can reply with friendship.

Also, Malvolio’s love for Olivia is a tragedy which ends with him in a small dark room accused of madness.

This is a short view of the spider web created by joining all the love triangles, lost dots and relationships related on the play. As we know this is a comedy, we can expect a happy ending in which everybody finally found a partner. But, is love that simple? Why was necessary all this suffering? Is there always a happy ending?

These questions are not so simple to answer. This is because love is not a definite force and act differently in every singular case. Love may change situations, sometimes seems to defy fate, and most important changes the identity of people.

 Is love part of the comedy or tragedy of your life?