Modern Age - Spring 2016 - 41

VIRTUE IS NOT BORING

however, not to whine but to decide quickly what is to be done-
for patience can be no virtue if one first does not do everything
possible to overcome difficulties. Many of the proverbs have
matching opposites, so it was also sometimes said that "patience
is a beggar's virtue." Shakespeare offers his own version in Richard
II, when the Duchess of Gloucester speaks to John of Gaunt about
his unwillingness to avenge his brother's death: "That which in
mean men we entitle patience / Is pale cold cowardice in noble
breasts" (1.2.33-34).
But Viola is neither a coward nor mean, and therefore she immediately sets out upon a course of action, deciding to disguise her
sexual identity-further isolation-and pretending to be a eunuch
to obtain a position at the court of the man she loves, Duke Orsino.
To complete her alienation from all that is familiar, she must use her
head against her heart when the Duke asks her to woo for him the
"rich countess" Olivia. Viola does this so persuasively-it is against
her own interests but her love for the Duke paradoxically inspires
her-that Olivia falls in love with her. It is a complicated situation
to say the least (and becomes more so as the play progresses), but
Viola sums it up in soliloquy with characteristic lucidity. Concerning Olivia's affections, she says it is not the Duke that Olivia loves
but rather herself: "I am the man." She continues:
. . . My master loves her dearly,
And I, poor monster, fond as much on him;
And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.
What will become of this? As I am man,
My state is desperate for my master's love;
As I am woman-now alas the day!-
What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!
moder nagejour nal .com

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Modern Age - Spring 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Modern Age - Spring 2016

Contents
Modern Age - Spring 2016 - Cover1
Modern Age - Spring 2016 - Cover2
Modern Age - Spring 2016 - Contents
Modern Age - Spring 2016 - 2
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Modern Age - Spring 2016 - Cover3
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