Approaching Twelfth Night

1)


My given circumstances; I wanted to change my given circumstances because I thought it would be more interesting and different due to lots of girls in my class have chosen this monologue. 


the ideas I have are; 


I will play a  transgender female at high in year 13 (18 years old) and it is valentines day at school and a lesbian was given a ring for valentines and she thinks I gave it to her. 


I play a 30 homeless women in 1939 who wants to join the army to fight in WW2 so she dresses up as a man. 




facts and opinions about my character:  

Opinion-  Viola feels lost in IIIyria and doesn't know what to do without her brother- "And what should do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drown’d.—What think you, sailors?" - Act 1 Scene 2

Fact- Viola dresses up as a man and changes her name to Cesario- "Enter Valentine and Viola in man’s attire, as Cesario" - Act 1 Scene 4


Fact- Viola wants to work for Olivia - " I wish I could work for that lady!" Act 2 Scene 1


Opinion- Enjoys Fools company - " Save thee, friend, and thy music." Act 3 Scene 1


Fact- Viola Doesn't love Olivia -  "and one truth, And that no woman has, nor never none, Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. " Act 3 Scene 1


Fact- Viola is in love with the Duke - " Nothing but this: your true love for my master" Act 3 Scene 4


Opinion-  Viola is confused and worried if Olivia fancies her - " I left no Ring with her: what means this lady?" Act 2 Scene 2


Opinion- Viola is scared of the knight " This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you, do me this courteous office, as to know of the knight what my offense to him is. " Act 3 Scene 4


Fact- Viola doesn't want to fight the knight "I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight" Act 3 Scene 4


2)


Who am I?Prepare a written autobiography so that I could define for myself my character’s education, occupation, income, religion, likes, dislikes, age, weight, height, health, physical handicaps, behavioural characteristics, family life, customs and habits of the era in which s/he lives or the society in which s/he moves.

Like an internal monologue

Give an example

My name is Viola and I am a young lady currently disguising to be a man called Cesario . I am currently working for Olivia which I did love working for her however I think she may have a crush on me which could be very tricky to get out of as I am in love with the Duke so its kind of a sticky love triangle which I don't know how to get out of as they think I am a man! but I don't see how she would fancy as I haven't lead her on in any way! I mean I know I look as a man just as much as I do as a women but I haven't flirted with her once. I'm currently living in Ilyisa which is quite lovely and a small town on the coast its nice but I just cant stop thinking of my missing brother who I am  trying desperately to find my brother Sebastian as our ship sank and I fear he is dead. I miss him so much and however if I am a live maybe the sea the was kind and let him live as well. And believe God has guided to llyisa as well.  First in Llyisa I met this sailor who helped me so much which I am still very thankful for as he suggest working for Olivia and I'm happy he did or wise I wouldn't have a job.  I have also met along the way Fool he's so funny and says very foolish things that makes me laugh so much and always puts me in a good mood. He's nice to me and so are most here however I nearly had to fight a knight as he thinks I offered him and he wanted to fight me till my death thankfully though Antonio step and saved me also he called me something, he called me Sebastian, which only means I look like a man very well and that my brother is alive!


b. What is the present situation? What did the character come here to do . . . what does the character want . . . what is the character’s intention? Portraying a strong intention may be all you need to do to make the character and the situation real for you. It helps to express this intention as a “to . . .” verb. You might also want to know your character’s physical condition: tired, hungry, cold, ill. And their mental/emotional condition: aware, confused, angry, calm, drunk.


Viola came her to find her brother while being disguised as a man so she could work for Olivia. However, over the time Olivia has fallen in love with Viola. Viola gets very confused about this however is very flattered at the same time.  Also, my character wants to find her Brother as she knows he's alive.  My characters intention it work out why Olivia loves me and did I leave her on during my monologue.

My characters physical conditions changes a lot throughout the play however in my monologue her physical condition is confused but also quite cocky as she thinks that if she can still be handsome even being a dressed as man that anyone can love her.

c. Where am I? Define the environment . . . the place . . . as a force in your script: era, year, season, time of day, temperature, humidity, weather. You may also want to substitute an actual place you know, like your bedroom for the character’s bedroom, to help you. You can do this in a snap with sensory work, one of the foundations of Method Acting. Creating all the specifics of the place stimulates your sensorial reality and adds dimension to your script.   


Twelfth Night is set in Illyria at around 1600 and I think my monologue is based in somewhere were Viola feel comfortable to talk to her herself so I would properly say in her bedroom. as the play was set in Illyria in 1600 Viola bedroom would properly look something like this

 

D. Working in costume. Bring the relevant clothes for your character to help you get into your role.
Draw some in costume get pictures from magazines
Personal reflection


Due to Viola playing a man I would imagine she would wear manly clothes but as she not a really rich character she would just wear normal clothes as she would also want to fit in as well with what the other men where wearing.  however I have to let the audience know I am a women dressed as a man which can be quite hard without making it unrealistic and making it look like I am acting. 

2. Where were you doing before each scene / What was happening?


Viola is with Malvolio and gives Viola a ring that Olivia sent him. my character Viola thinks this is a trick but still plays along with it and pretends she did give the ring to Olivia. And tells Malvolio that Olivia took the ring and insists that Olivia must keep it.. then Malvolio throws the ring on the ground and leaves. Now Olivia is by herself and thinks why Olivia has given this to her.  This is where Viola starts to say my monologue and as it confused and thinks Olivia might be in love with her.