Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare ENG 2D

Comedy Definition – a comedic play has at least one humorous character, and a successful or happy ending. Characteristics of … The main action is about love. The would-be lovers must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before being united in harmonious union. The ending frequently involves a parade of couples to the altar and a festive mood or actual celebration (expressed in dance, song, feast, etc.)  Twelfth Night has three such couples.

Twelfth Night: What does the title refer to? The play was written as a Christmas season production for presentation on Epiphany – the twelfth night after Christmas, when, according to religious tradition, Jesus was introduced to the world. It is a time for celebrating, gifts are exchanged, and parties and other celebrations occur.

Twelfth Night Type of work: play (Shakespeare also wrote: poetry) Genre: comedy Time written: between 1600-1602 Place written: England Tone: Light, cheerful, comic; occasionally frantic and melodramatic, especially in the speeches of Orsino and Olivia. Tense: Present (the entire story is told through dialogue) Setting (time): Unknown Setting (place): The mythical land of Illyria (Illyria is a real place, corresponding to the coast of present-day Yugoslavia, but Twelfth Night is clearly set in a fictional kingdom rather than a real one.)

Elizabethan Comedy A genre named for Queen Elizabeth I, the ruling monarch during Shakespeare’s time. Elizabethan comedies included the following conventions: A lighthearted tone Mistaken identities Multiple plot lines Frequent use of puns A clever “fool” or servant A conflict between propriety and debauchery Young lovers who overcome obstacles to their relationship A happy ending that includes marriages, reconciliations, and reunions.

Twelfth Night Characters: Viola (a.k.a. Cesario) Duke Orsino Olivia Sebastian Malvolio Feste Sir Toby Belch Maria Sir Andrew Aguecheek Antonio

Characters Orsino, Duke of Illyria: Loves Olivia; loved by Viola Lady Olivia: A rich countess; loved one of the Duke; loves Viola (as Cesario) Viola: Twin sister of Sebastian; Cesario; page to Lady Olivia; loves the Duke

Characters Sebastian: Twin brother of Viola; Roderigo; one who is confused with his twin sister (as Cesario) Sir Toby Belch: Olivia’s uncle; a drunkard; co-conspirator with Sir Andrew, Feste, and Maria Sir Andrew Auguecheek: Suitor for Olivia’s hand in marriage; a foolish man; co-conspirator with Sir Toby, Maria, and Feste

Characters Sebastian: Twin brother of Viola; Roderigo; one who is confused with his twin sister (as Cesario) Sir Toby Belch: Olivia’s uncle; a drunkard; co-conspirator with Sir Andrew, Feste, and Maria Sir Andrew Auguecheek: Suitor for Olivia’s hand in marriage; a foolish man; co-conspirator with Sir Toby, Maria, and Feste

Sea Captain: Friend of Viola Valentine and Curio: Aristocrats in Olivia’s court Fabian: An aristocrat in the Duke’s court

A Closer Look at the play… Plot Summary: In Twelfth Night, as in most of his works, Shakespeare has several different plot-lines going on at the same time. He expertly weaves these separate stories together throughout the play. As the play begins to move towards its conclusion the different stories begin to converge until they all come together for a resolution in the final scenes.

Theme Topics: Appearance vs. Reality The Wise Fool Youth’s Resilience Mistaken Identity Friendship and Service Love

Example Themes Appearances do not always reflect reality. Role playing is a part of social life. Love often resembles madness.

Motifs : A Reoccurring Idea in a Work of Literature Fools/Madness Deceptions/Illusions Role-playing/Disguises Inversion of Normal Order The Fleeting Nature of love and beauty Concealed love Letters/Messages