What does Viola mean when she calls herself a "poor monster" in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (2.2.34)?

Question

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Viola is, in that situation, the only one who can realize the predicament that she is in. Someone loves her inappropriately who would not, if it weren't for her disguise. Further, her disguise is preventing her from pursuing the man she loves. Nor can she throw off her disguise lest everyone scorn her for being false. And perhaps worst of all, were it not for her disguise, she would never have had the opportunity to meet Orsino nor break Olivia's interest in him.

So she is caught in a monstrous situation. She is neither man nor woman, not the disguise nor the person hiding under the disguise. And the only one she can blame for her predicament in becoming a non-thing is herself. Thus she both hates and pities herself, making her a 'poor monster' - guilty, but unwittingly so.

Answer 2

Its a stroke of destiny for that sweet Viola that despite of her wishing to have Orsino for herself, she was assigned the duty of conveying his love to Countess Olivia because Viola disguises herself as Cesario - a man......its a kind of duel role she has to play against her will....and naturally calls herself a "poor monster".
(By the way.....I must admire the answer provided above by "Fermi of Borg" which surely reflects his deep study of the play.)