Italian way encapsulates essence of role for Shakespearean heroine (5)

I believe the answer is:

viola

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'for shakespearean heroine' is the definition.
(heroine of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for viola that I've seen before include "Shakespeare heroine; instrument" , "Shakespearean role" , "String instrument of a range between the violin and cello" , "part of Shakespeare" , "Achievement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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