Twelfth Night

Definition

Twelfth Night is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been composed around 1601-1602. The play revolves around themes of love, mistaken identities, and the fluidity of gender, set against the backdrop of a festive celebration marking the end of the Christmas season. It showcases the social and cultural dynamics of Elizabethan theater, particularly through its use of cross-dressing and complex character relationships.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Twelfth Night was likely written to entertain the nobility during the Christmas season, reflecting the play's themes of revelry and social inversion.
2. The play features strong themes of love in various forms: unrequited love, romantic love, and sibling love, showcasing Shakespeare's exploration of human emotions.
3. Viola's disguise as Cesario allows her to navigate the male-dominated world of Illyria, highlighting issues related to gender roles and identity.
4. The character of Malvolio represents the theme of social ambition and class conflict, serving as a foil to the more carefree characters in the play.
5. Twelfth Night ends with multiple marriages and reconciliations, reinforcing the play's overall message about love triumphing over obstacles.

Review Questions

• How does Shakespeare utilize cross-dressing in Twelfth Night to explore themes of identity and gender roles?
  • In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare uses cross-dressing primarily through Viola, who disguises herself as Cesario. This disguise allows Viola to navigate a patriarchal society and explore her own feelings for Duke Orsino while also creating comedic situations due to mistaken identities. The fluidity of gender presented in this context challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the complexities of identity, allowing for deeper connections between characters that might not occur without the disguise.
• Discuss how mistaken identity contributes to the comedic elements in Twelfth Night.
  • Mistaken identity is a key comedic device in Twelfth Night that drives much of the plot. For instance, Viola’s disguise as Cesario leads to a series of misunderstandings among characters like Orsino and Olivia. These mix-ups create humorous scenarios as characters pursue love based on false assumptions. The resulting confusion not only entertains but also allows Shakespeare to comment on themes such as love's irrationality and the complexities of attraction.
• Evaluate how Twelfth Night reflects the social dynamics of Elizabethan society, particularly regarding gender and class.
  • Twelfth Night reflects Elizabethan society's social dynamics by examining issues related to gender and class through its characters and plot. The play challenges traditional gender norms with Viola’s cross-dressing, which empowers her to act independently in a male-dominated world. Additionally, Malvolio’s ambition and subsequent humiliation highlight class tensions and societal expectations. By intertwining these elements within a comedic framework, Shakespeare critiques social hierarchies while still providing entertainment that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Related terms

Cross-Dressing: The practice of wearing clothing typically associated with the opposite gender, which is a central theme in Twelfth Night through the character Viola who disguises herself as a man.

Mistaken Identity: A common comedic device used in literature and theater where characters are confused for one another, leading to humorous situations; prominent in Twelfth Night as characters navigate their feelings and relationships.

Elizabethan Theater: The theatrical culture during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, characterized by the emergence of professional theater companies and a diverse range of plays, including Shakespeare's works like Twelfth Night.