Twelfth Night

Introduction

Welcome to the whimsical world of Twelfth Night, a comedy that dances on the edges of romance, mistaken identities, and playful trickery, all spun together by the legendary William Shakespeare 🎭✨. Written around 1601-1602, this play takes us to the fictional land of Illyria, where love intertwines with deception, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and entertaining situations.

William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, needs little introduction. His works, from profound tragedies to light-hearted comedies, have captivated audiences for centuries, making him one of the most celebrated writers in English literature. Twelfth Night stands out as one of his most endearing comedies, beloved for its intricate plot, memorable characters, and the exploration of themes such as love, gender, and identity.

The genre of Twelfth Night can be classified as a comedic play, but like many of Shakespeare’s works, it defies simple categorization. It delves into the complexities of human emotions and societal norms, all while maintaining a light-hearted and humorous tone that keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end. So, let’s embark on a journey to Illyria, where the lines between reality and disguise blur, and where every character is in search of something, be it love, revenge, or simply a good laugh 🌟📜.

Plot Summary

Twelfth Night, one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies, unravels in the mythical land of Illyria, weaving a tale of love, disguise, and mistaken identities. Here’s a detailed look at the plot:

Exposition — The play opens with Duke Orsino pining for the love of Lady Olivia, who is mourning her brother’s death and refuses to entertain any suitors. Meanwhile, a shipwreck separates twins Viola and Sebastian, each believing the other to be dead.

Rising Action — Viola, stranded in Illyria, disguises herself as a young man, Cesario, and enters Duke Orsino’s service. Orsino grows fond of Cesario, unaware of Viola’s true identity, and sends her to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia falls in love with Cesario, creating a complex love triangle.

Climax — The plot thickens as Sebastian arrives in Illyria, leading to confusion due to his striking resemblance to Cesario. Olivia, mistaking Sebastian for Cesario, proposes marriage, and Sebastian, puzzled but smitten, accepts.

Falling Action — Meanwhile, a subplot unravels involving Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio, who is tricked into believing Olivia loves him. This prank, orchestrated by Sir Toby, Olivia’s uncle; Sir Andrew, a suitor of Olivia; and Maria, Olivia’s maid, leads to Malvolio’s humiliation.

Resolution — The play resolves with a series of revelations: Viola and Sebastian reunite, and their true identities are disclosed. Duke Orsino, realizing his love for Viola, proposes to her. Olivia and Sebastian are happy together, while Malvolio, embarrassed and angry, vows revenge on his tormentors. The play concludes with a festive atmosphere as the couples celebrate their love, though Malvolio’s discontent hints at lingering tensions.

Twelfth Night masterfully combines elements of romance, comedy, and drama, creating a vibrant tapestry of human relationships, all underpinned by themes of identity, love, and the folly of pretension.

Character Analysis

In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare presents a diverse cast of characters, each bringing their unique flavor to the intricate dance of love, identity, and social commentary. Let’s dive into the personalities, motivations, and developments of the main characters:

• Viola — Disguised as Cesario, she is resourceful, intelligent, and compassionate. Stranded in a foreign land, she must navigate her feelings for Orsino while maintaining her disguise. Viola’s journey from shipwreck survivor to beloved of the Duke encapsulates themes of love, loyalty, and gender fluidity.
• Orsino — The Duke of Illyria is romantic yet capricious, obsessed with the idea of love more than its reality. His fixation on Olivia blinds him to Viola’s love, demonstrating the folly and excess of unrequited love. Orsino’s character evolves as he recognizes true affection in Viola, shifting his affections accordingly.
• Olivia — A wealthy countess, she is initially caught in the throes of mourning, vowing to eschew the company of men. Olivia’s swift transition from solemn mourner to an impassioned lover for Cesario highlights the unpredictable nature of love and the transformative power of attraction.
• Sebastian — Viola’s lost twin brother is brave, kind-hearted, and somewhat bewildered by the affection suddenly showered upon him, especially by Olivia. His straightforwardness and good nature contrast the more complicated characters around him, providing a resolution to the tangled web of identities.
• Malvolio — Olivia’s pompous steward is full of self-importance and dreams of rising above his station by marrying Olivia. His gullibility and pride make him the perfect target for a cruel prank, underscoring themes of ambition, delusion, and humiliation.
• Sir Toby Belch — Olivia’s uncle is jovial and given to excess. He delights in mischief, especially at the expense of others, including Malvolio. Sir Toby represents the play’s indulgent, hedonistic side, where revelry and practical jokes abound.
• Maria — Olivia’s clever and loyal maid is the mastermind behind the prank on Malvolio. Her wit and intelligence shine through her schemes, illustrating the sharpness and depth of secondary characters in the play.

Character Analysis Summary:

Character	Personality Traits	Motivations	Character Development
Viola	Intelligent, compassionate	To survive and find love	Discovers true love and identity amidst disguise
Orsino	Romantic, capricious	To win Olivia’s love	Learns to recognize and value genuine affection
Olivia	Wealthy, changeable	To honor her brother’s memory, then to pursue Cesario	Transforms through love, breaking out of mourning
Sebastian	Brave, good-natured	To reunite with Viola	Finds unexpected love and reconnects with his sister
Malvolio	Pompous, ambitious	To marry Olivia and improve his station	Faces humiliation but remains unyielding and proud
Sir Toby Belch	Jovial, indulgent	To enjoy life, regardless of the consequences	Continues his merry ways, largely unchanged
Maria	Clever, loyal	To serve Olivia, entertain through mischief	Proves her intelligence and loyalty through her schemes

Through these characters, Shakespeare explores the complexities of human emotions, social dynamics, and the eternal quest for love and identity. Each character’s journey adds a layer to the rich tapestry of Twelfth Night, making it a perennial favorite for readers and audiences alike.

Themes and Symbols

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare is rich with themes and symbols that resonate through its comedic exterior, touching on deeper aspects of human nature and society. Let’s explore some of the major themes and symbols present in the play:

Themes

• The Fluidity of Gender and Identity — Viola’s disguise as Cesario and the subsequent romantic confusion underscore the play’s exploration of gender roles and identity. This theme questions the rigidity of gender norms and highlights the performative aspects of gender.
• The Folly of Love — Through the various entangled love interests, Shakespeare examines love’s irrationality, its capacity to cause both joy and pain, and its often capricious nature. The play suggests that love cannot be controlled or understood by reason alone.
• The Nature of Service and Loyalty — The relationships between masters and servants (such as Orsino and Cesario, Olivia and Malvolio) reveal different facets of service and loyalty, from genuine devotion to misguided ambition.
• Class and Social Ambition — Malvolio’s aspirations and the prank that exploits them highlight the themes of social mobility and class consciousness, critiquing the social hierarchy of Shakespeare’s time.

Symbols

• Costumes and Disguises — The use of disguises in the play symbolizes the fluidity of identity and the idea that outward appearances can be deceiving. Costumes become a tool for characters to explore different facets of themselves and to question societal norms.
• Letters — The forged letter that convinces Malvolio of Olivia’s love is symbolic of deception and the power of words to manipulate. Letters in the play serve as catalysts for action, but also as symbols of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
• Music — “If music be the food of love, play on,” says Orsino in the opening line. Music throughout Twelfth Night symbolizes the emotional states of characters and the theme of love as both nourishing and overwhelming.
• The Ring — The ring Olivia sends to Cesario (Viola) serves as a symbol of unrequited love and mistaken identity, further complicating the web of romantic entanglements in the play.

Through these themes and symbols, Twelfth Night delves into the complexities of love, identity, and society, making it a richly layered work that continues to captivate and entertain audiences centuries after it was written.

Writing Style and Tone

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night showcases the playwright’s unparalleled mastery of language, blending comedy, romance, and a touch of melancholy to create a work that resonates with audiences across ages. The writing style and tone of the play are key elements in conveying its themes and enhancing its theatricality. Here’s how:

Writing Style

• Wit and Wordplay: Shakespeare employs a sharp wit and extensive wordplay, including puns, double entendres, and malapropisms, particularly through characters like Feste, the clown. This linguistic playfulness adds layers of meaning and keeps the audience engaged on multiple levels.
• Verse and Prose: The play alternates between verse and prose. The nobility often speak in verse, reflecting their status and the poetic nature of their concerns, primarily love. In contrast, prose is used in the more comic scenes or by characters of lower status, grounding their dialogue in a more colloquial, accessible form.
• Soliloquies and Asides: These techniques allow characters to express their inner thoughts directly to the audience, providing insight into their feelings and motivations. Viola’s soliloquies, for example, reveal her inner conflict and desires, deepening the audience’s connection to her character.

Tone

• Lighthearted and Playful: Much of the play is characterized by a lighthearted, playful tone, fitting for a comedy that delves into romantic mishaps and mistaken identities. The tone invites the audience to enjoy the absurdities of the characters’ situations without losing sight of their humanity.
• Reflective and Poignant: Beneath the comedy, there’s a reflective, sometimes poignant tone, especially in moments that touch on unrequited love, the pain of rejection, or the nature of identity. This balance adds depth to the play, reminding the audience of the complex emotions at its heart.
• Satirical: At times, Shakespeare adopts a satirical tone, especially in his critique of social pretensions and in the subplot involving Malvolio. This tone underscores the play’s commentary on class, ambition, and the folly of self-importance.

Through its dynamic writing style and varied tone, Twelfth Night navigates the complexities of love and identity with both humor and insight. Shakespeare’s skillful use of language not only entertains but also invites reflection on the nature of human relationships and societal norms.

Literary Devices used in Twelfth Night

In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare employs a variety of literary devices that enrich the text, adding layers of meaning and enhancing the play’s emotional and thematic depth. Here are the top 10 literary devices used in the play:

1. Irony —

Shakespeare uses situational and dramatic irony extensively. For example, the audience knows Viola’s true identity long before the other characters, creating a humorous tension as they navigate their relationships unknowingly.

2. Metaphor —

Metaphors are used to convey complex emotions and themes. Orsino’s opening speech, where he compares love to an appetite that must be satisfied, is a notable example.

3. Simile —

Similes, such as comparing Viola in her male disguise to a young eunuch, help create vivid imagery and deepen characterizations.

4. Pun —

Wordplay and puns abound, providing humor and demonstrating characters’ wit. Feste, the clown, is particularly known for his pun-laden dialogue.

5. Allusion —

Shakespeare references classical and contemporary works to enrich the play’s content and themes. References to the Bible, mythology, and other literary works are present throughout.

6. Foreshadowing —

Subtle hints about future events, such as Viola’s early admission of her love for Orsino, create anticipation and add layers to the narrative.

7. Hyperbole —

Exaggeration is used for comedic effect, particularly in descriptions of characters’ emotions or reactions, amplifying the play’s humorous tone.

8. Personification —

Inanimate objects or abstract concepts are often given human qualities, such as when Orsino speaks of love’s capacity to hunt his thoughts like a hound.

9. Symbolism —

Objects, characters, and events symbolize broader themes. For instance, Viola’s disguise represents the fluidity of identity and the complexity of gender roles.

10. Repetition —

Repetition emphasizes key themes or emotions. Orsino’s repeated insistence on his love for Olivia underscores his obsession and the play’s focus on the nature of love.

These literary devices are integral to the charm and depth of Twelfth Night, showcasing Shakespeare’s skill in weaving complex narratives that explore human emotion and societal norms with both levity and insight.

Literary Device Examples

Irony

1. Viola’s Disguise

• Example: Viola disguises herself as a man, Cesario, leading to various ironic situations where she must woo Olivia on Orsino’s behalf, despite her own feelings for Orsino.
• Explanation: This situation is rich in dramatic irony, as the audience is aware of Viola’s true identity and feelings, while the characters are not.

2. Malvolio’s Ambition

• Example: Malvolio believes Olivia has fallen for him due to a forged letter, leading him to behave absurdly, thinking it will win her affection.
• Explanation: The irony here is situational; the audience knows the letter is a prank, highlighting Malvolio’s foolishness and self-deception.

3. Orsino’s Blindness to Love

• Example: Orsino speaks of love’s depth and sincerity while remaining oblivious to Viola’s love for him, even as she serves him as Cesario.
• Explanation: This dramatic irony underscores the theme of love’s blindness and the discrepancies between appearance and reality.

Metaphor

1. Love as an Appetite

• Example: Orsino compares his desire for Olivia to an insatiable appetite, saying, “If music be the food of love, play on.”
• Explanation: This metaphor illustrates the intensity and consuming nature of Orsino’s infatuation with Olivia.

2. The Sea as Misfortune

• Example: The shipwreck that separates Viola and Sebastian is often referenced as a metaphor for the unpredictable and capricious nature of fate.
• Explanation: The sea symbolizes the forces of change and chaos that propel the characters into their comedic dilemmas.

Pun

1. Feste’s Wordplay

• Example: Feste, the clown, uses puns liberally, such as when he plays on the word “C’s” to tease Viola/Cesario about her hidden identity.
• Explanation: His puns add a layer of humor while subtly pointing to deeper truths about identity and perception.

2. The Name “Malvolio”

• Example: Malvolio’s name itself can be seen as a pun, suggesting “ill will” or “bad desires” in Italian, reflecting his character traits and eventual downfall.
• Explanation: Shakespeare often uses names as a form of wordplay to hint at character’s destinies or traits.

These examples of literary devices in Twelfth Night demonstrate Shakespeare’s adept use of language to enhance the play’s thematic depth, character development, and humor, making it a rich and enduring work of art.

Twelfth Night – FAQs

What is the main plot of Twelfth Night?
Twelfth Night centers around the themes of mistaken identity, love, and the complexities of gender roles. After a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a man, Cesario, and becomes embroiled in a love triangle involving Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia. The play explores the resulting comedic situations from these disguises and misunderstandings.

Who wrote Twelfth Night?
William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, wrote Twelfth Night. It is considered one of his greatest comedic works.

Why is it called Twelfth Night?
The play is named Twelfth Night after the Twelfth Night holiday, marking the end of the Christmas season on the twelfth night after Christmas Day, traditionally filled with festive disorder and revelry. The play’s themes of inversion, disguise, and festivity reflect the spirit of this holiday.

What are the key themes in Twelfth Night?
Key themes in Twelfth Night include the fluidity of gender and identity, the folly and excess of love, the social hierarchy and ambition, and the nature of truth versus appearance.

Who are the main characters in Twelfth Night?
The main characters include Viola (who disguises herself as Cesario), Duke Orsino, Countess Olivia, Sebastian (Viola’s twin brother), Malvolio (Olivia’s steward), and Feste (the clown), among others.

How does Twelfth Night end?
Twelfth Night ends with multiple revelations and resolutions: Viola and Sebastian are reunited, Orsino proposes to Viola, Olivia marries Sebastian (thinking he is Cesario), and Malvolio vows revenge against those who tricked him. The play concludes on a note of harmony, despite lingering complexities.

What literary devices are used in Twelfth Night?
Shakespeare uses various literary devices in Twelfth Night, including irony, puns, metaphor, simile, allusion, foreshadowing, hyperbole, personification, symbolism, and repetition, to enrich the narrative and underscore the play’s themes.

Is Twelfth Night a tragedy or a comedy?
Twelfth Night is classified as a comedy due to its humorous plot, elements of mistaken identity, complex love triangles, and a happy ending for most characters. However, it also contains poignant moments and critiques of social norms, giving it depth beyond mere comedy.

Quiz

Question	A	B	C	D
Who is in love with Olivia at the start of the play?	Viola	Sebastian	Orsino	Malvolio
What does Viola disguise herself as in Twelfth Night?	A noblewoman	A soldier	A servant	Cesario
Which character is tricked into thinking Olivia loves them?	Feste	Sir Toby	Malvolio	Antonio
Who does Olivia marry by the end of the play?	Orsino	Cesario	Sebastian	Viola
What is the main reason Viola decides to disguise herself as a man?	To find work and survive in Illyria	To avoid being recognized	To seek revenge	To find her lost brother
Which character is known for their witty wordplay and songs?	Maria	Malvolio	Feste	Sir Andrew
How are Viola and Sebastian related?	Cousins	Friends	Siblings	Strangers
What theme is prominently explored through the characters’ various romantic entanglements?	The nature of power	The folly of war	The fluidity of gender and identity	The importance of wealth

This quiz is designed to test your comprehension and understanding of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, focusing on its plot, characters, themes, and some specific events within the play.

Exercise

Identify the literary devices used in the following paragraph from Twelfth Night:

“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me; you say it wearies you. But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself.”

---

Answers:

1. Metaphor: The sadness is described in terms that suggest it is an object or a condition that one can catch or acquire, not just an emotion. This use of metaphor deepens the expression of feeling, making it seem almost tangible.
2. Repetition: The repeated use of “I know not” and “it wearies me” emphasizes the speaker’s confusion and the burdensome nature of his sadness.
3. Personification: Sadness is given the quality of being something that can be caught or found, as if it has a will or agency of its own.
4. Alliteration: The phrase “want-wit sadness” uses alliteration to create a musical quality to the text and to emphasize the character’s self-perceived foolishness in his inability to understand his own feelings.

This exercise helps in recognizing Shakespeare’s use of language to convey complex emotions and character states, illustrating the depth and richness of his writing.