Twelfth Night
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Transcript Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night
BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
William Shakespeare: Bare Bones Biography
He was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon and died in 1616.
He is arguably the most admired author of all time.
The only known education he received was grammar school
He married Anne Hathaway who was 9 years his senior.
While he had three children, his son Hamnet died at a young
age (possibly from the plague).
Shakespeare gained a reputation as an actor, playwright and
poet and was the co-owner of The Globe Theatre in London.
Because of the plague, the London theatres closed from 15921594. Thus, Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets during this time.
Historical Context
The basic plot of TN is not original to Shakespeare.
This play was inspired by several Italian comedies
that appeared in the decades prior to TN’s first
performance.
The theatre was an integral part to life in Elizabethan
England.
The Globe Theatre seated 3,000 spectators of all
classes
Groundlings paid 1 penny for admission– their entire
day’s wage!
William Shakespeare’s
plays had universal
appeal among all classes
in Elizabethan England.
The Globe Theatre
Elizabethan Comedy
A genre named for Queen Elizabeth I, the ruling
monarch during Shakespeare’s time.
Elizabethan comedies included the following
conventions:
A lighthearted tone
Mistaken identities
Multiple plot lines
Frequent use of puns
A clever “fool” or servant
A conflict between propriety and debauchery
Young lovers who overcome obstacles to their relationship
A happy ending that includes marriages, reconciliations, and
reunions.
Characters
Orsino, Duke of Illyria: Loves Olivia; loved by
Viola
Lady Olivia: A rich countess; loved one of the
Duke; loves Viola (as Cesario)
Viola: Twin sister of Sebastian; Cesario; page to
Lady Olivia; loves the Duke
Characters
Sebastian: Twin brother of Viola; Roderigo; one
who is confused with his twin sister (as Cesario)
Sir Toby Belch: Olivia’s uncle; a drunkard; coconspirator with Sir Andrew, Feste, and Maria
Sir Andrew Auguecheek: Suitor for Olivia’s hand
in marriage; a foolish man; co-conspirator with Sir
Toby, Maria, and Feste
Characters
Feste: Clown; co-conspirator with Sir Toby, Sir
Andrew, and Maria; occasional commentator on
what is happening
Malvolio: Olivia’s steward (Manager of Estate); a
vain and pompous man; object of the conspiracy to
humiliate him
Maria: Servant of Olivia; co-conspirator with Sir
Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste
Characters
Sea Captain: Friend of Viola
Valentine and Curio: Aristocrats in Olivia’s court
Fabian: An aristocrat in the Duke’s court
Major Themes
Appearances do not always reflect reality.
Role playing is a part of social life.
Love often resembles madness.
Motifs : A Reoccurring Idea in a Work of
Literature
Fools/Madness
Deceptions/Illusions
Role-playing/Disguises
Inversion of Normal Order
The Fleeting Nature of love and beauty
Concealed love
Letters/Messages
Figurative Language & Literary Devices
Metaphors
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
Similes
“Like Arion on the dolphin’s back”
Personification
“words are very rascals”
Allusion: a reference to a person, place, myth, event
which is not part of the story, but the reader is
expected to recognize.
Figurative Language & Literary Devices
Paradox: a statement that appears contradictory
but contains truth.
“Than love that would seem hid: love’s night is noon.”
Oxymoron: A term or phrase that is apparently
self-contradictory.
“sweet pangs”
Verbal Irony: a discrepancy between what is said
and what is really meant.
Pun: an expression that utilizes two distinct
definitions of the same word or phrase to achieve
emphasis or humor.
Dramatic Conventions and Techniques
Conflict: external & internal
Soliloquy: A speech delivered by a character while
alone on stage. Provides insight into the character’s
thoughts, emotions, and motives.
Aside: words spoken by a character on stage that are
meant to be heard by the audience only.
Situational Irony: when a situation has results
contrary to those expected.
Dramatic Irony: when the audience is aware of
something the characters don’t know.