Twelfth Night or What You Will Literature Notes

William Shakespeares plays fit into two general categories: comedies and tragedies. William Shakespeares plays fit into two general categories: comedies and tragedies. Twelfth Night is a comedy. While Shakespeares tragedies usually end in death, his comedies often end in marriage. Twelfth Night is a comedy. While Shakespeares tragedies usually end in death, his comedies often end in marriage. Twelfth Night deals with universal themes that are relevant even in modern society. Twelfth Night deals with universal themes that are relevant even in modern society.

One of the main themes in Twelfth Night is Love. It appears in many forms in the play, just like in society. Duke Orsino Olivia Antonio Sabastian Andrew Aguecheek Olivia Malvolio Olivia Olivia Cesario Viola Duke Orsino Toby Maria Malvolio Self

Duke Olivia: Orsino is in love with love: the emotions of love, the romance, the beauty, and how it makes him feel. Duke Olivia: Orsino is in love with love: the emotions of love, the romance, the beauty, and how it makes him feel. Andrew Olivia: In love with position. He is interested in Olivias status, her wealth and standing in the community. As a man with wealth and position, he seeks a woman of equal or higher standing. Andrew Olivia: In love with position. He is interested in Olivias status, her wealth and standing in the community. As a man with wealth and position, he seeks a woman of equal or higher standing. Olivia Cesario: Love at first sight. Olivia has no knowledge of the real person she loves. She falls in love just by seeing him (her) a single time. Olivia Cesario: Love at first sight. Olivia has no knowledge of the real person she loves. She falls in love just by seeing him (her) a single time. Viola Duke: Unachievable love. Despite the depth of her feelings, Violas love for the Duke is unattainable, out of reach, denied her because situations prevent her from acting on her feelings. Viola Duke: Unachievable love. Despite the depth of her feelings, Violas love for the Duke is unattainable, out of reach, denied her because situations prevent her from acting on her feelings.

Toby Maria: Lust. In contrast to Orsinos romantic ideas of love, Tobys love for Maria is crude and carnal. Toby Maria: Lust. In contrast to Orsinos romantic ideas of love, Tobys love for Maria is crude and carnal. Malvolio Malvolio: Self love or conceit. He is constantly admiring himself and imagining others adoring him. His love for Olivia is based on his own self-interest. Malvolio Malvolio: Self love or conceit. He is constantly admiring himself and imagining others adoring him. His love for Olivia is based on his own self-interest. Malvolio Olivia: Same as Andrew. Love of status. Malvolio Olivia: Same as Andrew. Love of status. Antonio Sebastian: Same gender love. Love of a friend. Antonio Sebastian: Same gender love. Love of a friend.

Two other interwoven themes in Twelfth Night are Social Classes and the Role of Women in Elizabethan society. While in Shakespeares time women were the underclass to men, in this play the women have all the power and more intelligence than the men. While in Shakespeares time women were the underclass to men, in this play the women have all the power and more intelligence than the men. Viola and Maria are the most clever characters in the play, whereas Toby and Andrew are bumbling fools for the most part. Viola and Maria are the most clever characters in the play, whereas Toby and Andrew are bumbling fools for the most part. The Duke is made powerless by his infatuation with Olivia. The Duke is made powerless by his infatuation with Olivia. Malvolio is at the mercy of characters who he deems to be below him, although they are actually of a higher social class than he. Malvolio is at the mercy of characters who he deems to be below him, although they are actually of a higher social class than he.

Violas gender bending would be considered in- appropriate behavior for Elizabethan women, but doing so allows her to outsmart the others and get what he wants. Violas gender bending would be considered in- appropriate behavior for Elizabethan women, but doing so allows her to outsmart the others and get what he wants. Coincidentally, during Shakespeares life a very powerful, confident woman was at the helm of his country: Queen Elizabeth. Coincidentally, during Shakespeares life a very powerful, confident woman was at the helm of his country: Queen Elizabeth. Feste, or the Clown, in this play does not fit the mold of his name or expected social class as he is very wise. Feste, or the Clown, in this play does not fit the mold of his name or expected social class as he is very wise.