Shakespearean Comedy: Twelfth Night - An Analysis
Introduction
William Shakespeare, one of the most renowned playwrights of the English Renaissance, crafted numerous plays categorized into tragedies, comedies, and histories. Among his comedic works, Twelfth Night stands out as a quintessential Shakespearean comedy, embodying themes of love, identity, disguise, and social satire. This paper provides an academic analysis of Twelfth Night within the context of Elizabethan comedy and its broader implications.
1. Shakespeare and Comedy in Elizabethan England
During the Elizabethan era, England experienced a period of political stability under Queen Elizabeth I, fostering a flourishing literary and artistic culture. Shakespeare, writing between 1590 and 1613, produced numerous plays that reflected the social and cultural milieu of the time. His comedies typically revolved around love, mistaken identities, witty dialogue, and eventual resolutions through marriage.
Shakespearean comedies include A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595), Much Ado About Nothing (1598), As You Like It (1600), and Twelfth Night (1601). These plays exhibit a refined style compared to his earlier comedies such as The Comedy of Errors (1593) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (1594). Influenced by Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence, Shakespeare adapted traditional comedic structures while infusing them with contemporary social and political themes.
Unlike Shakespeare, other contemporary playwrights such as Ben Jonson and Thomas Dekker focused on different comedic traditions. Jonson’s Every Man in His Humour (1598) and The Alchemist (1610) exemplify the Comedy of Humours, which emphasizes exaggerated personality traits. Meanwhile, Dekker’s The Shoemaker’s Holiday (1599) belongs to the City Comedy genre, satirizing urban life.
2. Twelfth Night: Sources and Summary
Twelfth Night was first recorded in John Manningham’s diary in 1602, suggesting its composition around 1600-1601. It was later published in the First Folio (1623). The play likely draws inspiration from the Italian Gl’ingannati (1531) and the English tale "Apollonius and Silla" (1581) by Barnabe Riche.
The title refers to the Twelfth Night celebrations marking the end of the Christmas season, characterized by revelry and social inversion. The play’s subtitle, "What You Will," suggests an open-ended interpretation.
Plot Summary
The play follows Viola, who is shipwrecked in Illyria and assumes the male identity of Cesario to serve Duke Orsino. Orsino, in love with Olivia, sends Cesario as his emissary. However, Olivia falls for Cesario, unaware of Viola’s true identity. Viola, in turn, loves Orsino, creating a complex love triangle.
The subplot involves Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, who is tricked into believing Olivia loves him. Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, arrives, leading to further mistaken identity before the eventual resolution through multiple marriages.
3. Twelfth Night as a Shakespearean Comedy
Shakespearean comedies adhere to a five-act structure, progressing through exposition, complication, climax, denouement, and resolution. Twelfth Night features:
Comedy of Situation: Mistaken identities, disguises, and misinterpretations drive the plot.
Comedy of Character: Malvolio’s self-importance leads to his downfall, making him the "comic individual."
Deception and Mistaken Identity: Central to Twelfth Night, leading to humorous and dramatic consequences.
Subplot and Staging: The play’s theatrical elements enhance its comedic effect.
Setting in Illyria: Like many Shakespearean plays, the foreign setting creates a sense of exoticism and detachment from contemporary English society.
4. Characterization
Viola/Cesario: A cross-dressed heroine who challenges gender norms while demonstrating intelligence and resilience.
Feste (The Fool): A witty commentator who critiques other characters while providing entertainment.
Duke Orsino: A lovesick nobleman who idealizes love.
Olivia: A noblewoman who swiftly shifts her affections.
Sebastian: Viola’s twin, whose appearance resolves the confusion.
Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek: Comic figures representing excess and foolishness.
Malvolio: A puritanical steward who is humiliated due to his self-importance.
5. Themes
Love: Examines various forms, from romantic love to self-love and misplaced affection.
Courtship: Gender roles in courtship are inverted, with Olivia pursuing Cesario.
Marriage: The play concludes with multiple marriages, restoring social order.
Illusion and Madness: Disguise, deception, and folly underscore the theme of mistaken perception.
6. Conclusion
As a Shakespearean comedy, Twelfth Night explores love, identity, and social conventions through humor and intricate plotting. While it follows the comedic tradition of resolving conflicts through marriage, it also presents deeper questions about gender, self-perception, and love’s irrational nature. The play’s enduring popularity is evident in stage adaptations and modern retellings like She’s the Man (2006), proving its timeless appeal.
Objective Type Questions & Answers
Which of the following is NOT a Shakespearean comedy?
a) A Midsummer Night’s Dream
b) Twelfth Night
c) Macbeth
d) As You Like It
Answer: c) Macbeth
What is the primary source of Twelfth Night?
a) The Canterbury Tales
b) Gl’ingannati
c) Paradise Lost
d) The Prince
Answer: b) Gl’ingannati
What is Viola’s male disguise in the play?
a) Cesario
b) Sebastian
c) Antonio
d) Malvolio
Answer: a) Cesario
What role does Feste play in Twelfth Night?
a) Duke’s advisor
b) A fool
c) A ship captain
d) A knight
Answer: b) A fool
How does the play Twelfth Night end?
a) With a duel
b) With multiple marriages
c) With a tragedy
d) With a war
Answer: b) With multiple marriages