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Twelfth Night is sometimes called a "transvestite comedy" for the obvious reason that its central character is a young woman, Viola, who disguises herself as a pageboy, Cesario. In Shakespeare's time, Viola's part, like all the parts in Twelfth Night, would have been played by a man, because women were not allowed to act.
Overview. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, written around 1601, is an entertaining comedy that navigates the themes of love, mistaken identity, and the topsy-turvy nature of human relationships. Set in the fictional kingdom of Illyria, the play follows the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck.
♦ Other Characters (Analysis) 11. 12. Twelfth Night: Principal Topics Twelfth Night: Essays ♦ Worm i'the bud: The Games of Love in Twelfth Night ♦ Feste and Fabian: Plots and Complots ♦ Present Me As An Eunuch: Female Identity in Twelfth Night ♦ Chaos and Order in Twelfth Night ♦ The Image and Metaphor of "Drowning" in Twelfth Night 13.
This document provides context and summaries for William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night. It begins with background on the play, including that it is a romantic comedy written for the Elizabethan stage and takes place during the Twelfth Night holiday season. It then provides a 3 sentence summary of the significance of the title, explaining that Twelfth Night refers to the Christian feast of ...
Viola's twin brother, whom she believes is lost at sea, and who likewise thinks she's dead. Sebastian is noble and capable of strong, deeply felt emotion, just like his sister. The constant powerful love he shows while grieving and when reunited with Viola contrasts Orsino's and Olivia's relatively frivolous emotions.
Viola/Cesario. Viola is a young woman from a noble background, and the twin sister of Sebastian, who finds herself shipwrecked on the island of Illyria. She is cunning and independent, disguising herself as the male Cesario to gain employment in Count Orsino’s court. There, she uses her shrewdness and eloquence to gain Orsino’s trust.
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. Dive into Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with our detailed study guide. Explore characters, themes, and literary devices in this timeless comedy. 🎭📚.
