Colorado Shakespeare Gardens
self-guided tour
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Twelfth Night

Viola is not a courtly lover. She shares the name of the demure violet, which you can see in this Garden, but not its nature. She is bold enough to don a man’s attire and make her own way upon an unknown shore. Her predicament is that she truly loves Orsino, but cannot speak without betraying her disguise as Cesario. So she tells him instead of an imaginary sister, painting a pitiful picture of a damask-rose bud that, because of an insect eating its heart, will never bloom:

      She never told her love,
But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek. [Twelfth Night II iv]

Twelfth Night

 

In Twelfth Night, plants are pivotal in exploring themes of love and desire. The "love-in-idleness" flower, known for causing love at first sight, symbolizes the whimsical nature of romance, particularly in the chaotic relationships among the characters. Viola's disguise as Cesario complicates love dynamics, leading to unexpected feelings, especially in Olivia and Orsino. Additionally, the vibrant setting of Illyria, filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers, reflects the characters’ emotional landscapes and transformations. Time and again, plant imagery in the play underscores the unpredictability of love and the complexities of human relationships amid the comedic chaos.

 

Special thanks to longtime CSF supporter and thespian Chuck Wilcox for voicing the part of The Bard in our video series. Full production credits available here. All photos copyright Colorado Shakespeare Group except those in the public domain, published under Creative Commons (CC) licensing. For more information on (CC) artwork in this video, click here.

Enjoy this slideshow of the plants we have in our Twelfth Night Garden: