TWELFTH NIGHT William Shakespeare A comedy written between
“TWELFTH NIGHT” William Shakespeare
A comedy written between 1601 - 1602
Comedy: v Has a happy ending v More light-hearted v Misfortune to characters is laughable instead of sad
v “Twelfth Night” was written as part of the Twelfth Night entertainment to close the Christmas season. v Twelfth night is part of some branches of Christianity. v It marks the end of the winter holidays that begin on All Hallows Eve (Halloween). v It marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas and the coming of the Epiphany (the Magi visiting the baby Jesus).
A British holiday custom is to appoint a peasant to rule during the Twelfth Night festivities. His rule ends at midnight. During this time kings are peasants and peasants rule. Men dress as women. The normal order is reversed. The King Cake is baked with a bean. The person who gets the slice with the bean is King. We see this more commonly today in New Orleans, where Twelfth Night starts the beginning of Carnival Season which lasts until Mardi Gras Day.
Setting The play is set in Illyria. It was located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Shakespeare didn’t specify dates for the setting of his plays, except for the histories. Therefore, “Twelfth Night” is likely set in Shakespeare’s own time. However, since Illyria is an ancient Roman region, it is possible it is set in the past.
As in many of Shakespeare’s plays, the main plot revolves around mistaken identity.
e v Lo � Although this is a comedy, love is portrayed as quite harsh: �It is referred to as “plague, ” “hounds, ” and “appetite” � It is exclusionary: �Certain characters must learn their roles.
s s a l C l a i c o S In the spirit of Twelfth Night festivities and the tradition of The Lord of Misrule, all order is reversed: peasants rule. q Malvolio, a servant, believes he will marry Olivia, a countess. Can social class be changed so easily? Is it set in stone? q Since Malvolio’s character would be against the celebrations of twelfth night, it seems fitting to reverse him for the audience’s amusement. q
The Telephone Game! The characters send a lot of messages, letters, and gifts to one another. The messages sent in “Twelfth Night” get rather lost. Just like in the telephone game. Orsino sends Cesario to Olivia send Malvolio to Cesario Malvolio receives a letter that appears to be from Olivia
3. 4. 51 -53 Ring. A symbol of love, but also a symbol of wealth Olivia tries to win Cesario with jewelry.
Clothes can be a means of hiding- Viola A symbol of love- Malvolio’s yellow tights A sign of madness- Malvolio A disguise for revenge- Feste Can change social standing and gender.
- Slides: 15