"What is love? 'tis not hereafter"

1) Viola: "I am the man." (II.ii.25)
This is strange because Viola is not a man at all. She is a woman disguised as a man. This quote is another instance of mistaken identity. Viola realizes that Olivia has mistaken her for a man and is beginning to recognize Olivia's crush on her. This is sort of the beginning of the real foundation of the forbidden love triangle that is a fundamental element to the play. Viola realizes that only time can solve this, so she will continue to carry on with her disguise, even though it is a "wickedness". Things in Illyria are getting more and more crazy as more people are fooled by Viola's disguise as a man.



2) Malvolio: "...and yet to crush it a little, it would bow to me..." (II.v.143-145)
Malvolio explains that the letters in the note seemingly left by Olivia (M.O.A.I.) are all in his name, and to rearrange them ("crush it a little") would spell out his name ("bow to me"), with the exception of a few letters. Malvolio, who is predisposed to loving Olivia, wants to find any way possible to make this love letter pertain to him.



3) Viola: "Then think you right. I am not what I am."
Olivia: "I would you were as I would have you be." (III.i.148-9)
Here, Viola is trying to convey that she is not what she appears to be. Olivia's response is that she wants Viola/Cesario to be exactly as she (Olivia) desires. Viola subtly exposes herself and her true identity to Olivia, but Olivia, because she is so caught up in her love for Cesario (and also because she has no reason to question this phrasing, since she has absolutely no idea about any disguises), completely misses the hint.