TWELFTH NIGHT CONTEXT
The 12th Night refers to January the 6th which is the Christian celebration of
Epiphany. This is the last day of Christmas festivities and a night of misrule, mischief
and merry making.
A servant was appointed the Lord of Misrule and this servant would lead the activities
of a night turned upside down (Maria is the Lord of Misrule)
However, this tradition was threatened by the Puritans (who is represented by
Malvolio in the play) who did not approve of the decadent behaviour, whilst the
characters Sir Toby and his companion, Sir Andrew, try to preserve the drinking and
debauchery culture.
The name Malvolio means badwill in Latin and badly loved in Italian. This is ironic
considering although he considers himself of great importance, all the other
characters dislike him.
Therefore, the play could be an extended metaphor for the clash between the
expected conventional behaviour of the past and the more modernised attitude of
some parts of society which others disapproved of.
Ideas for the play (mistaken identity, twins and the love triangle) are borrowed from
two sources
➢ G'Innganati: an Italian play translating to the deceived and it was written in
the 1530s (evident in how Olivia falls in love with Viola, how Antonio comes to
the aid of Viola and the cruel treatment of Malvolio)
➢ Apollonius Silla: an English play by Barneby Rich written in 1581 which
deals with love across different classes
,UNREQUITED LOVE
Orsino wallows in love sickness by listening to music and proclaiming his love
devours all other appetite and it will not be appeased
In his discussion with Cesario he draws out the comparisons between a man’s
and woman’s love
He states that a female’s passion can never amount to more than ‘appetite’
since their psychological inferiority renders them fickle whilst his own love is
inexhaustible
Dramatic irony as the audience know that Viola is passionately in love with
Orsino but has to bear the pain of his words in silence thus proving the
stronger of the pair
ROMANTIC COMEDY
Many aspects of love is explored
Olivia’s and Viola’s love for the brother is very strong as is Sebastian’s love for
his sister
Friendship is strongly represented through Antonio and Sebastian
Orsino’s love for Olivia appears contrived and formulaic in his wooing and his
gifting of extravagant gifts
However, Orsino’s passion is counterpoised by Olivia’s mourning for her
brother.
Both Orsino and Olivia are trapped in an emotional fixation that prevents
them from moving forward
Self-love of Malvolio acts as a counterpoint to the healthy aspects of love
shown in the play; his self-obsession with his power and status irritates others
This leads to the malicious treatment of Malvolio although critics also argue it
is carried out in a light hearted manner
Viola is direct and spontaneous which contrasts the wooing of Orsino;
however, this causes Olivia to become affectionate towards Cesario
Love triangle provides comedy for the audience
Dissembling and masquerading drives the plot forwards
Dramatic tension keeps the audience invested in the dilemmas of the
characters
Parallel subterfuge takes place alongside the love triangle when Olivia’s
household members work together to bring Malvolio and peg or two down
, STYLE |
Blank verse
Iambic pentameter
Normally a couplet at the end of a scene
CONCEITS |
Illyria - lyrics and deliria
Sea
Music
THEMES |
Extremes
Love
Madness
Gender
Deceit
Cruelty
Grief
OTHER|
Theatre Imagery
Meter
Love Rhetoric
Veil Symbolism
Foolosophy
Gender
Deception
Fate and Chance
Narcissism
The 12th Night refers to January the 6th which is the Christian celebration of
Epiphany. This is the last day of Christmas festivities and a night of misrule, mischief
and merry making.
A servant was appointed the Lord of Misrule and this servant would lead the activities
of a night turned upside down (Maria is the Lord of Misrule)
However, this tradition was threatened by the Puritans (who is represented by
Malvolio in the play) who did not approve of the decadent behaviour, whilst the
characters Sir Toby and his companion, Sir Andrew, try to preserve the drinking and
debauchery culture.
The name Malvolio means badwill in Latin and badly loved in Italian. This is ironic
considering although he considers himself of great importance, all the other
characters dislike him.
Therefore, the play could be an extended metaphor for the clash between the
expected conventional behaviour of the past and the more modernised attitude of
some parts of society which others disapproved of.
Ideas for the play (mistaken identity, twins and the love triangle) are borrowed from
two sources
➢ G'Innganati: an Italian play translating to the deceived and it was written in
the 1530s (evident in how Olivia falls in love with Viola, how Antonio comes to
the aid of Viola and the cruel treatment of Malvolio)
➢ Apollonius Silla: an English play by Barneby Rich written in 1581 which
deals with love across different classes
,UNREQUITED LOVE
Orsino wallows in love sickness by listening to music and proclaiming his love
devours all other appetite and it will not be appeased
In his discussion with Cesario he draws out the comparisons between a man’s
and woman’s love
He states that a female’s passion can never amount to more than ‘appetite’
since their psychological inferiority renders them fickle whilst his own love is
inexhaustible
Dramatic irony as the audience know that Viola is passionately in love with
Orsino but has to bear the pain of his words in silence thus proving the
stronger of the pair
ROMANTIC COMEDY
Many aspects of love is explored
Olivia’s and Viola’s love for the brother is very strong as is Sebastian’s love for
his sister
Friendship is strongly represented through Antonio and Sebastian
Orsino’s love for Olivia appears contrived and formulaic in his wooing and his
gifting of extravagant gifts
However, Orsino’s passion is counterpoised by Olivia’s mourning for her
brother.
Both Orsino and Olivia are trapped in an emotional fixation that prevents
them from moving forward
Self-love of Malvolio acts as a counterpoint to the healthy aspects of love
shown in the play; his self-obsession with his power and status irritates others
This leads to the malicious treatment of Malvolio although critics also argue it
is carried out in a light hearted manner
Viola is direct and spontaneous which contrasts the wooing of Orsino;
however, this causes Olivia to become affectionate towards Cesario
Love triangle provides comedy for the audience
Dissembling and masquerading drives the plot forwards
Dramatic tension keeps the audience invested in the dilemmas of the
characters
Parallel subterfuge takes place alongside the love triangle when Olivia’s
household members work together to bring Malvolio and peg or two down
, STYLE |
Blank verse
Iambic pentameter
Normally a couplet at the end of a scene
CONCEITS |
Illyria - lyrics and deliria
Sea
Music
THEMES |
Extremes
Love
Madness
Gender
Deceit
Cruelty
Grief
OTHER|
Theatre Imagery
Meter
Love Rhetoric
Veil Symbolism
Foolosophy
Gender
Deception
Fate and Chance
Narcissism
