1

English
December 3rd, 2007

Analysis of Equal Exchange in Twelfth Night

In Twelfth Night, the comic movement from disorder to harmony is

based on the equilibrium established through equal exchange between

characters. The personal and societal problems at the beginning of the play

result not from envy or aggression, but from something equally universal—

ambition for self-sufficiency. Camille believes, indeed, the reciprocal love,

which the design of Twelfth Night entails, naturally culminates not in a

world of complete fulfillment, but in the give-and-take of human society.1

Porter Williams, Jr. points out that seldom in a play does money flow

so freely as in Twelfth Night:2 Viola gives gold to the sea captain, Antonio

gives his purse to Sebastian, Orsino sends a jewel to Olivia, Olivia showers

Cesario with gifts, Viola offers to divide her wealth with Antonio, and they

all repeatedly give money to Feste. Although seeking economic advantage is

not a prime motive for any of the characters, hardly a scene goes by without

some type of giving or receiving of money or jewelry. This emphasis on

giving and receiving serves to contrast the generous and loving nature of

Viola, Orsino, and Olivia with the selfishness of Malvolio and Sir Toby

1
Slights, Camille. "The Principle of Recompense in "Twelfth Night"" The Modern Language Review
Vol.77, No.3 (July, 1982) 537-546.
2
Williams, Porter. "Mistakes in Twelfth Night and Their Resolution: A Study in Some Relationships of Plot
and Theme." PMLA Vol.76, No.3 (June, 1961) pp.193-199
 2

(Camille, 538). However, Camille tends to oversimplify the situation when

she suggests that the money and gifts that change hands so freely “symbolize

generous love and friendship” and that “such giving and receiving must be

done without counting the cost or measuring the risk” (p. 541). Orsino’s

financial generosity is patently not identified with generous love.

Admittedly, he does not count the cost in his courtship of Olivia; his love is

purely narcissistic.

Indeed, the play as a whole, demonstrates the principle of reciprocity,

by which the exchange of goods creates mutually-satisfying relationships

among individuals. Camille continues to argue that through the principle of

reciprocity, the act of exchange binds the giver and the recipient in a

relationship. To give is to create an obligation; to take is willingly to pay

that debt. (p.538) From all the characters in Twelfth Night, Malvolio is

actually the only one who pays Feste nothing and neither gives nor receives

a gift. He lacks the generous and free temperament that provides a sense of

proportion. This total lack of connection with other people provides the

means for Malvolio’s gulling.

In Twelfth Night, money symbolizes not so much love but as a broader

engagement with the real and imperfect world; paying, lending, giving, and

taking are signs of willingness to have commerce with the society. Because
 3

Malvolio’s response to people is often “I am not of your element.” (3.3.24).

He does not take part in the exchanges of wealth that engage the other

characters. Even when he is duped into believing that Olivia has given him

her love and, by marrying her, will give him wealth and power, he feels no

obligation or gratitude; he thanks “Jove” and his stars. He thoughtlessly

believes that nothing can come between him and the full prospect of his

hopes.

While all the characters take part in the process of exchange, Viola is

distinguished by her fuller understanding of the conscious and unconscious

operation of the principle of reciprocity. She repays Orsino’s trust and favor

with loyal service, faithfully wooing Olivia for him despite her own longing

to be his wife. And the heart of her plea to Olivia is that love deserves

recompense; “My master, not myself, lacks recompense.” (1.5.290) Indeed,

Camille believes that Viola breaks through Olivia’s reserve by showing her

that the gifts of nature also bring an obligation to give in return (Camille,

545). Soon Viola begins to regret her male disguise when she realizes the

falseness of her position in relation to Olivia. She understands that we

cannot take without giving. Just as she sincerely tries to persuade Olivia to

reciprocate Orsino’s love, she tries to show him the arrogance of his

stubborn refusal to accept rejection. Because Viola is fully conscious that

 4

giving love involves asking for love, she denies herself the joy of offering

her love to Orsino. As Porter has it, giving without recompense may be self-

indulgent, insulting, foolish, or tyrannical, but failing to give is self

destructive (Porter, 196).

The play does not infer that awareness of the principle of reciprocity

can fundamentally alter the finite, complex nature of the human condition.

It’s only suggesting that by understanding our mutual needs, we can choose

love, generosity, and alliance rather than isolation, stagnation, and division.