Twelfth Night
A romantic comedy of mistaken identity and festive revelry.
The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck, and features a love triangle, mistaken identities, and a comic subplot involving the pompous steward Malvolio. It is notable for its exploration of gender roles and its festive, carnivalesque atmosphere.
- type
- Play
- author
- William Shakespeare
- genre
- Romantic comedy
- setting
- Illyria
Lore & Background
The play expands on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of a Twelfth Night entertainment. The comic subplot involves characters conspiring to make Malvolio believe Olivia has fallen for him, leading to his humiliation. The play ends with the resolution of mistaken identities, the marriage of Orsino and Viola, and a song sung by Feste. Malvolio swears revenge on his tormentors, but Orsino sends Fabian to placate him.
Reader's Guide
Twelfth Night is significant for its enduring exploration of gender identity and social inversion, rooted in the festive traditions of Twelfth Night celebrations. The play's cross-dressing heroine Viola, who disguises herself as a page named Cesario, creates a complex love triangle that challenges conventional gender roles. The character of Malvolio, who opposes revelry, is often seen as an adversary of festive enjoyment, while Sir Toby Belch embodies the spirit of licensed disorder. The play's influence extends to its use of mistaken identity and its comic subplot, which have inspired countless adaptations. Its themes of love, deception, and self-discovery remain relevant, and the play continues to be performed worldwide. The setting of Illyria, with its exotic and romantic connotations, adds to the play's appeal. The work also reflects Elizabethan attitudes toward class, gender, and festivity, making it a rich subject for scholarly analysis.
Did You Know?
- The play is the only Shakespeare play to bear a subtitle when first published: Twelfth Night, or What You Will.
- The play's setting of Illyria includes the city-state of the Republic of Ragusa, now known as Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Twelfth Night?
Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, set in the fictional country of Illyria. It weaves together a love triangle, a pair of shipwrecked twins, and a farcical subplot about a steward who tricks himself into believing he has been promoted.
Who are the main characters in Twelfth Night?
The story follows Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario after a shipwreck, and her twin brother Sebastian, who is mistaken for her throughout the play. Other key figures include Duke Orsino, Countess Olivia, the pompous steward Malvolio, and the jester Feste.
Why is the play called Twelfth Night?
The title refers to the Christian feast day of Epiphany on January 6, which marks the close of the Christmas and New Year season. Shakespeare likely composed the play as a festive entertainment for that occasion, and its carnival-like mood of role-reversal and revelry suits the holiday.
How does Twelfth Night end?
Viola and Sebastian are reunited, and each finds a romantic partner—Viola with Orsino and Sebastian with Olivia. Malvolio is left humiliated after his elaborate prank, and the play closes with a song rather than a neat resolution, giving it a slightly bittersweet, open-ended feel.
What makes Twelfth Night important in Shakespeare's canon?
The play is widely regarded as one of Shakespeare's finest comedies, celebrated for its sharp examination of gender performance, desire, and social hierarchy. Its blend of lyrical poetry with physical comedy, together with its deliberately unresolved ending, sets it apart from his other comic works.
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