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Twelfth night as a tragicomedy
Literature and its impact on society
Twelfth night as a tragicomedy
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“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” This is a quote from one of history’s most well regarded English writers, William Ben Shakespeare. Although it has been 400 years since Shakespeare’s death, he is still thought of as one of the greatest writers to have ever lived. The plays he wrote demonstrated human strengths and weaknesses, and his characters still have relevance in the 21st century. Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night is a story of love in different forms and uncontrollable desire. It is an example of where blind love can strike any moment, no matter who you are or what century you are from. The play revolves around a girl, Viola, who has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria, losing her twin brother, Sebastian, in the process. She disguises herself as a man and assumes the name Cesario for protection. Thus disguised, Viola becomes a page in the service of Orsino, the Duke. The themes of uncontrollable desire, love and loss of loved ones are still evident in our society today, as are the archetypal characters such as the Hero, the Seductress and the Adviser. The depiction of the characters Viola/Cesario are found in the movie She’s the Man (2006-directed by Andy Fickmen), which strongly resembles the characters and themes of …show more content…
Twelfth Night. The theme of uncontrolled desire may have been portrayed through different situations in the play and the movie, but the context is undoubtedly that of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The theme of uncontrollable desire occurs numerous times throughout the play, affecting multiple characters unexpectedly. However, each case of uncontrollable desire is initially one-sided, leaving the other in torment. Orsino, who displays the archetypal characteristic of being a supreme egotist, is a large promoter of this – for instance: “O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame to pay this debt of love but to a brother, how will she love, when the rich golden shaft hath killed the flock of all affections else that live in her.” (1:1:32-36). Orsino is described in the play as someone who mopes around, complaining about how love sick he is over lady Olivia, when it is quite clear that his true love is for himself, and that he is deeply in love with the idea not the reality. This same situation again happens between Olivia and Cesario/Viola, “I do I know not what and fear to find Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind. Fate, show thy force. ” (1:5:282-285). Love in its different forms is also a reoccurring theme throughout the play, including the love between a man and a man. “If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant.” (2:1:29-30). This situation occurs between Duke and Olivia in the movie, She’s The Man. Duke has a strong love which Olivia does not share in the least, and ends up falling for Sebastian (Viola in disguise) who has only been trying to help Duke. A patriarchal society describes a structure where men are in authority and have power over women in all aspects of society. Although women’s rights are nowhere near as restricted as they were in Shakespeare’s time, there are still patriarchal aspects of modern day society. The patriarchal society element in Twelfth Night is evidenced where despite a woman being head of the house, her word is still second guessed or met with disregard. For instance, the characters Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew engage in a conversation where Sir Andrew completely disregards Maria’s request, “You think you have fools in hand?” asks Sir Andrew. “Sir I have not you by the hand.” Maria’s answer is immediately ignored and she is immediately pestered again. “Marry, but you shall have, and here’s my hand,” (Sir Andrew offers his hand) (1:3:57-60). The same situation occurs as Cesario reveals that he is actually Viola, and is immediately treated differently by Orsino who says “Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times Thou never shouldst love woman like to me.” “And all those sayings will I overswear; And those swearings keep as true in soul as doth that orbed continent the fire that severs day from night”, “Give me thy hand, And let me see thee in thy woman’s weeds.” (5:1:261-267).
This situation also occurs in the movie, She’s the Man, which shows aspects of a patriarchal society operating within the school when the female soccer team is cut without even a second
thought. Grief over the loss of loved ones is as relevant today as it was back in the time of Shakespeare. The loss of loved ones has a heavy influence over the characters from Twelfth Night and is responsible for creating some of the journeys and situations they end up in. This was the case with the maiden of the land, Olivia, who lost her brother. “The element itself, till seven years' heat, shall not behold her face at ample view, but like a cloistress, she will veiled walk and water once a day her chamber round With eye-offending brine—all this to season A brother’s dead love” (1:1:25-30). Another instance of sadness or loss occurs between both Viola and Sebastian, who are convinced they have lost each other and wish to leave behind what they know. Viola persuades the sea-captain to assist her to become a man by pleading, “Oh, that I served that lady and might not be delivered to the world, till I had made mine own occasion mellow, what my estate is.” (1:2:38-40). “No, sooth, sir. My determinate voyage is mere extravagancy” (2:1:9-10). The themes of sadness and loss, as illustrated in Twelfth Night, occur in modern day society. They are also reflected to some degree in the movie, She’s the Man, where Viola is trying to handle the loss of her beloved sport, soccer. The themes of uncontrollable desire, love and sadness at the loss of loved ones in Twelfth Night have impacted societies throughout the centuries and are still relevant in modern times. Archetypal characters such as the Hero, the Seductress and the Adviser can also be found though-out the world, in different countries and in different societies. Shakespeare is one of the most well regarded writers in history. His plays were relevant to his time but have contemporary themes that can be applied to modern society. Shakespeare’s influence can also be found in modern movie culture, through movies like ‘She’s the Man’ and his plays continue to be performed around the world and are recognised as some of the greatest works of all time.
Twelfth Night, written by Shakespeare between the years of 1599 and 1601 (“Shakespeare-Online”), is easily one of his most well-known plays. A year after the assumed date of publication, on February the 2nd of 1602, Twelfth Night was performed for the first time (“William-Shakespeare)”. The location of the production is thought to have taken place in the Middle Temple, which was one of four law schools within London that were known as the Inns of Court (“Shakespeare-Online”). Though some would classify Twelfth Night as generic, it is laced with a sharp sense of humor and controversial concerns that can easily be applied to the issues of present day. Many of these issues, such as marriage, gender identity, sex, homosexuality, and social ambition, are relevant in today’s society, making them easy to relate to. The central theme of the play is romance. The characters all experience love, in one way or another, whether it be unrequited or shared between more than one person. The plot is intricately woven, sometimes confusingly so, between twists and turns throughout the multiple acts, but it never strays too far from the subject of adoration. Despite the hardships, misperception and deceit the characters experience, six individuals are brought together in the name of holy matrimony in three distinct nuptials.
The play Twelfth Night, or What You Will by William Shakespeare is a 1601 comedy that has proven to be the source of experimentation in gender casting in the early twenty-first century due to its portrayal of gender in love and identity. The play centrally revolves around the love triangle between Orsino, Olivia, and Viola. However, Olivia and Orsino both believe Viola is a boy named Cesario. Ironically, only male actors were on the stage in Shakespeare’s time. This means that Olivia, Viola, and other female characters were played by young boys who still had voices at higher pitches than older males.
In Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, gender identity and alternative sexualities are highlighted through the depiction of different characters and personalities. In the play, Viola disguises herself as a man thereby raising a merry-go-around of relationships that are actually based on a lie rather than actual fact. Viola attracts the attention of Olivia since she thinks that Viola is a man but even more fascinating is the fact that Orsino is attracted to Viola although he thinks that she is a man. In another twist Viola is attracted to Orsino and has fell in love with him although their love cannot exist since Orsino thinks that Viola is a man.
In stark contrast to the dark and tragic "Othello," is one of Shakespeare’s lightest and funniest comedies, "Twelfth Night." The theme of love is presented in a highly comical manner. Shakespeare, however, once again proves himself a master by interweaving serious elements into humorous situations. "Twelfth Night" consists of many love triangles, however many of the characters who are tangled up in the web of love are blind to see that their emotions and feelings toward other characters are untrue. They are being deceived by themselves and/or the others around them.
As prescient and insightful as this evaluation may seem after considering the outcome of Twelfth Night’s romantic pairings, it reads as a very shallow perspective rather than any sort of wisdom – to the Duke, love is never permanent, lasting, or constant (just like the nature of the tides, it always changes). Duke Orsino has no concern whatsoever for Olivia’s feelings of grief after the loss of her brother – she is merely an object of his desires at the moment, and as his eventual courtship with Viola proves, he is extremely fickle in his affections. (Even before Viola’s disguise became apparent, Orsino showed some signs of attraction to the male Cesario – this raises a few questions about exactly how far his romantic indecisiveness
Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night revolves around a love triangle that continually makes twists and turns like a rollercoaster, throwing emotions here and there. The characters love each another, but the common love is absent throughout the play. Then, another character enters the scene and not only confuses everyone, bringing with him chaos that presents many different themes throughout the play. Along, with the emotional turmoil, each character has their own issues and difficulties that they must take care of, but that also affect other characters at same time. Richard Henze refers to the play as a “vindication of romance, a depreciation of romance…a ‘subtle portrayal of the psychology of love,’ a play about ‘unrequital in love’…a moral comedy about the surfeiting of the appetite…” (Henze 4) On the other hand, L. G. Salingar questions all of the remarks about Twelfth Night, asking if the remarks about the play are actually true. Shakespeare touches on the theme of love, but emphases the pain and suffering it causes a person, showing a dark and dismal side to a usually happy thought.
Confusion is a major factor in the plot of Twelfth Night- especially in the crazy love triangle between Duke Orsino, Viola (“Cesario”) and Olivia. What makes the whole situation even crazier is that Viola is actually a woman. This is apparent through little hints given to the characters here and there and also by how easily Olivia falls in love with “Cesario” when she is actually in mourning. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Olivia wonders how she could so suddenly change her mind about loving when she questions, “How now?
In the Twelfth Night, Shakespeare presents two opposing types of love through the ironic relationship of Duke Orsino and Viola. More specifically, act 2 scene 4 demonstrates an example of what love should be through Viola and what love should not be through Orsino. The conversation between Duke Orsino and Viola illustrates different kinds of love; Orsino loves egotistically, while Viola loves humbly.
Twelfth Night consists of a large number of love triangles, however many characters are too indulged in love that they are blind to the untrue, and the weakness of their relationship, they are deceived by themselves and many people around them ( ex. Malvolio is tricked by Sir Andrew, Feste ,Sir Toby and Maria),but there are certain incidents where the love is true and two characters feel very strongly about one another. In the play, Viola and Orsino have the most significant relationship. The way they interact with each other causes the complexity on which the play is all about, their relationship turns from strangers to friends then lovers .In the First Act Viola is not honest with Orsino because she disguises herself as a male servant named Cesario in order to get closer to the duke. Orsino. Orsino quickly trusts Cesario and sends him to Olivia to declare Orsinos Love for her, the girl he most dearly loves. This quick bond is the fast example of their relationship. At the beginning of the play, Viola thinks her brother (Sebastian) is dead (after they’re deadly boat crash, where they get separated) when actually he is alive and thinks she is dead, Viola always seems to have a part missing from her which shows her bond with Sebastian is strong, and a part of her but in a brotherly/sisterly way rather than a proper relationship like viola and orsino, At the end of the play they meet and both fall in love , Viola with Orsino and Sebastian with Olivia.
Twelfth Night or What You Will is one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies. It has been performed hundreds of times and adapted into a number of modern films. The main plot of the play follows Viola, a girl who is rescued from a shipwreck and enters into the service of the Duke Orsino disguised as a man. Rising quickly in his estimation, Viola begins delivering messages of love on his behalf to Olivia, a noble woman who has no interest in Orsino’s advances. Over the course of the play Olivia falls in love with the disguised Viola, Viola falls in love with Orsino, and Viola’s twin brother Sebastian, who supposedly died in the shipwreck, returns. Following Sebastian’s return the twins are mistaken for each other, leading to both misunderstanding and marriage in the final scenes of the play. Alongside the main plot of Twelfth Night is an almost equally prominent subplot involving Malvolio, a servant of Olivia, who falls in love with her and who falls prey to a prank planned by the other members of the household who despise his abhorrence of fun. In the article “The Design of Twelfth Night” by L.G. Salingar, Salingar examines the plot and structure of the play and addresses the significance of the subplot. The purpose of this essay is to examine both evidence from the play and articles from other authors, with a focus on Salingar, who have written on the subject in order to determine the purpose of the subplot. In his article, Salingar comes to the conclusion that the purpose of the subplot is to provide a comic mirror of the main plot while amplifying the main themes of delusion, misrule and festivity. Salingar presents a solid argument, however he has neglected another lesser but significant element of the sub-plot which illustrate...
Dramatic irony is vigorously used in Twelfth Night. The audience is aware that Viola is disguised as a man, whereas most of the characters in the play are not aware that she is for most of the play. The dramatic irony causes conflict to abrupt in the play because a love triangle forms between Orsino the Duke, Viola, and Olivia. Also, Shakespeare includes a metaphor in the first few beginning lines of the play. Orsino compares his love for Olivia to his love of music. He desires an excess of music, to become disinterested in his love of music, implicitly saying he wants his love for Olivia to no longer exist.
William Shakespeare's, Twelfth Night has many themes, but appearance vs. reality is the theme that illustrates a different picture from two perspectives, there are many characters behind their masks and disguises. Some are hiding love behind these disguises and some are trying to show their love through a different disguise. They both still being servants are using disguise differently. Malvolio, servant of Olivia, falls in love with the trap (the letter) thinking his lady likes him, and to show his love he uses a different appearance to express it. Viola, servant of Orsino, falls in love with him, but secretly, not wanting to express her love for him, because of her disguise as her barrier for that case. Viola/Ceasario is wearing a disguise and secretly loves Orsino. Malvolio, on the other hand, is also a servant but still changes his appearance to express love for the great lady Olivia. This essay will prove that disguises and appearances are symbolic of the characters named Viola and Malvolio and are differently used for both.
In the play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare uses the characters of Viola and Olivia to show how love is being mocked when they show their true feelings toward one another; this is done through similarities and differences between both of the characters to emphasize the unrealistic idea behind genuine love.
Viola constructing her identity of Cesario goes to get employment from duke Orsino in order to carry out her task of finding her brother. In Twelfth Night Viola says “I will believe thou hast a mind that suits/With this thy fair and outward character” (TN 1.2.48-49). In these lines Viola intents to imply if what’s outside matches what’s on the inside. Interestingly, by disguising herself she forms a love entanglement with both Olivia and Orsino. As the messenger of Orsinos love appetite for Olivia Viola is to make olive fall for Orsino through his own words. However, the statements made by Cesario under direct orders from Orsino have allowed Olivia to fall in love with him. This is both revealing and unexpected for Cesario. Viola states that “I am not what I am” suggesting that he is neither a boy nor a good person for Olivia to
Throughout Twelfth Night, disguise and mistaken identity works as a catalyst for confusion and disorder which consistently contributes towards the dramatic comic genre of the play. Many characters in Twelfth Night assume disguises, beginning with Viola, who disguises herself as a man in order to serve Orsino, the Duke. By dressing his protagonist in male garments, Shakespeare creates ongoing sexual confusion with characters, which include Olivia, Viola and Orsino, who create a ‘love triangle’ between them. Implicitly, there is homoerotic subtext here: Olivia is in love with a woman, despite believing her to be a man, and Orsino often comments on Cesario’s beauty, which implies that he is attracted to Viola even before her male disguise is removed. However, even subsequent to the revealing of Viola’s true identity, Orsino’s declares his love to Viola implying that he enjoys lengthening the pretence of Vio...