Saturday, July 31, 2010

Is there an example of sacrifice for friendship in Twelfth Night?

One of the most interesting relationships in Twelfth Night is that of Antonio and Sebastian. While minor in the play, the language Shakespeare uses and the depth of feeling between the two (mainly on Antonio's side) suggests a deep friendship and even hints at a romantic love. Antonio saves Sebastian's life after the shipwreck and immediately becomes completely devoted to him, offering up his time and money, and even risking his own safety to help Sebastian when he travels to Illyria, a place where Antonio is wanted for the crime of theft. When begging Sebastian to allow him to act as his servant on the trip, Antonio says, 



"If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant" (2.1.30).



In this quote, Antonio suggest that denying his request and killing him would be the same thing, since he loves Sebastian so much. Clearly, Antonio's devotion to Sebastian causes him to give up everything to help him, even when Sebastian doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling. 

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