Twelfth Night, or What You Will by: William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night is the only one of Shakespeare’s plays to have an alternative title: the play is actually called Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Critics are divided over what the two titles mean, but “Twelfth Night” is usually considered to be a reference to Epiphany, or the twelfth night of the Christmas celebration (January 6). Twelfth Night is the only one of Shakespeare’s plays to have an alternative title: the play is actually called Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Critics are divided over what the two titles mean, but “Twelfth Night” is usually considered to be a reference to Epiphany, or the twelfth night of the Christmas celebration (January 6). In Shakespeare’s day, this holiday was celebrated as a festival in which everything was turned upside down—much like the upside- down, chaotic world of Illyria in the play. In Shakespeare’s day, this holiday was celebrated as a festival in which everything was turned upside down—much like the upside- down, chaotic world of Illyria in the play. The Title

TWELFTH NIGHT In 567, the Council of Tours proclaimed that the entire period between Christmas and Epiphany should be considered part of the celebration, creating what became known as the twelve days of Christmas, or what the English called Christmastide In 567, the Council of Tours proclaimed that the entire period between Christmas and Epiphany should be considered part of the celebration, creating what became known as the twelve days of Christmas, or what the English called Christmastide The Lord of Misrule symbolizes the world turning upside down. On this day, the King and all those who were high society would become the peasants and vice versa. The Lord of Misrule symbolizes the world turning upside down. On this day, the King and all those who were high society would become the peasants and vice versa.

Main Characters Viola (Cesario) – the gender-bending heroine Viola (Cesario) – the gender-bending heroine Sebastian – her twin brother Sebastian – her twin brother Antonio – sea captain who saves Sebastian Antonio – sea captain who saves Sebastian These people are in a ship-wreck off the coast of Illyria, a fictitious kingdom These people are in a ship-wreck off the coast of Illyria, a fictitious kingdom

Main Characters Duke Orsino – powerful Duke of Illyria; trying to woo Olivia for her money and power Duke Orsino – powerful Duke of Illyria; trying to woo Olivia for her money and power Countess Olivia – gorgeous heiress with no father, brother or husband – currently grieving her brother Countess Olivia – gorgeous heiress with no father, brother or husband – currently grieving her brother Malvoio – head servant of Olivia Malvoio – head servant of Olivia Toby Belch – Olivia’s uncle – a free-loader and big time hater Toby Belch – Olivia’s uncle – a free-loader and big time hater Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Toby’s drinking buddy Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Toby’s drinking buddy Feste – Olivia’s jester Feste – Olivia’s jester Maria – Olivia’s lady in waiting Maria – Olivia’s lady in waiting

MAJOR CONFLICT · Viola is in love with Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, who is in love with Viola’s male disguise, Cesario. This love triangle is complicated by the fact that neither Orsino nor Olivia knows that Viola is really a woman. MAJOR CONFLICT · Viola is in love with Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, who is in love with Viola’s male disguise, Cesario. This love triangle is complicated by the fact that neither Orsino nor Olivia knows that Viola is really a woman. RISING ACTION · The mounting confusion, mistaken identities, and professions of love leading up to Act V RISING ACTION · The mounting confusion, mistaken identities, and professions of love leading up to Act V

Some Key Points TONE · Light, cheerful, comic; occasionally frantic and melodramatic TONE · Light, cheerful, comic; occasionally frantic and melodramatic SETTING (TIME) · Unknown SETTING (TIME) · Unknown SETTING (PLACE) · The mythical land of Illyria SETTING (PLACE) · The mythical land of Illyria Illyria is a real place, corresponding to the coast of present-day Albania—but Twelfth Night is clearly set in a fictional kingdom rather than a real one Illyria is a real place, corresponding to the coast of present-day Albania—but Twelfth Night is clearly set in a fictional kingdom rather than a real one

Transvestite Comedies Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s so-called transvestite comedies, a category that also includes As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice. Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s so-called transvestite comedies, a category that also includes As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice. These plays feature female protagonists who, for one reason or another, have to disguise themselves as young men. These plays feature female protagonists who, for one reason or another, have to disguise themselves as young men. It is important to remember that in Shakespeare’s day, all of the parts were played by men, so Viola would actually have been a male pretending to be a female pretending to be a male. It is important to remember that in Shakespeare’s day, all of the parts were played by men, so Viola would actually have been a male pretending to be a female pretending to be a male.

Themes Love as a cause of suffering – not all in the play achieve true love Love as a cause of suffering – not all in the play achieve true love The uncertainty of gender – possible ties to homosexuality The uncertainty of gender – possible ties to homosexuality The follow of ambition The follow of ambition