Page 1: Basic Information (Please include sources)
1. Title of Work, date of first publication, edition of your book, analysis of “As You Will” as an
alternative title, analysis of “Twelfth Night” as a title.
Title: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Date of first publication: 1623 (in the First Folio)
Edition: Pelican Shakespeare edition (2000)
“As You Will:” Although no one is really sure why this play has an alternate title (it is the only
one
of Shakespeare’s plays to do so), there are several different interpretations for “As You Will.”
Firstly, it connotes the jovial festivity of the play. The story line itself is whimsical and
humorous
and the title suggests that there is no “heaviness.” Along with this, Shakespeare may also have
been
titling the play in such a way that involves the audience collectively. The audience is the “you”
and
so Shakespeare is saying that this comedy was written solely for the enjoyment of the audience
and
the events are really up to the viewers. The third, and most literal, analysis of this title is that
Shakespeare was implying that the title was “what you will,” in other words, the name is
unimportant
and the audience can call it however they wish. All of these support the idea that this play was by
no
means meant to be a grave and serious production.
“Twelfth Night:” This is most commonly believed to be a reference to the festival of Epiphany
where everything was believed to be “turned upside down.” This certainly makes sense because
nothing in Twelfth Night is as it should be. The maid is sassy, Olivia falls in love with Viola,
Viola
falls in love with a man who believes her name is Cesario, and Sebastian and Viola both believe
the
other to be deceased. The only ones who know the truth are the audience and this irony provides
much of the humor of the play because everything that could go wrong, has. What further
compounds the humorous confusion of the play is that male actors were used to portray women,
and
so Viola’s character is in fact a man, pretending to be a woman, pretending to be a man.
(SparkNotes)
Shakespeare, William, and Jonathan V. Crewe. Twelfth Night, Or, What You Will. New York:
Penguin, 2000. Print.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Twelfth Night.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003.
Web. 17 Jan. 2012.
2. Elements of comedy evident
Pun- Act One, Scene Five: The fool talking with Olivia and twisting all her words.
Deflation-Act Three, Scene Four: Malvolio being thought to be a madman and being bound and
placed in a dark room.
Knaves and Fools- Act Two, Scene Five: Malvolio is tricked that Olivia loves him and to signal
to
her that he loves her, he is to smile constantly and dress in yellow stockings with his garters
crossed.
Dramatic Irony-Act Three Scene Four: Antonio confuses Cersario/ Viola for Sebastian and tries
to
protect her from the fencing match. He is caught by the guards and is arrested.
Act Four, Scene One: The fool and Olivia confuse Sebastian for Cersario/Viola and confesses
her love to him.
3. According to Aristotle, what makes this a comedy? How is it different from a tragedy?
Aristotle claimed that comedies were for thinkers and tragedies were for the more emotionally
driven. Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies. It fits into Aristotle’s definition
with
the heavy use of wit and word play in its dialogue, especially from the characters of Sir Toby, Sir
Andrew, and Feste. It differs from a tragedy in its emotional cycle. Twelfth Night is relatively
static
in emotion, while a play such as Hamlet has more dynamic characters and emotions.
4. The Four Humours - what are the characteristics
The now-debunked theory of humoralism sought to characterize temperaments and ailments
based
on an excess or deficiency in one of four bodily fluids. The four-humor system was developed by
Hippocrates and pervaded until the beginning of medical research in the late middle ages. The
humors are blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.
Blood is associated with the season of spring, the element air, and the liver. Its temperament
is “sanguine,” which is characterized by sociability, impulsivity, and pleasure-seeking. The faces
of
sanguine people may appear florid.
Yellow bile is associated with the season of summer, the element fire, and the spleen. People
with an
excess of yellow bile are “choleric,” and are generally assertive, charismatic, and dominating.
They
may swing to extremes of mood or organization.
Black bile is associated with the season of autumn, the element of earth, and the gall
bladder. “Melancholic” people tend to be thoughtful, introverted, and creative, but may tend
towards
moroseness or self-absorption.
Phlegm is associated with the season of winter, the element water, and the brain/lungs.
“Phlegmatic”
people tend to be relaxed, lacking passionate extremes of emotion. They are self-confident and
kind,
but may be passive-aggressive or unwilling to change. They are curious and rational.
5. Plot summary of each act. Highlight the characters’ names.
The play begins with Duke Orsino, ruler of Illyria, lamenting the fact that he cannot speak with
nor have contact with the woman he madly loves, Lady Olivia. Olivia’s brother has recently died
and she refuses to marry anyone for seven years. As Orsino laments, the Captain has saved Viola
from a shipwreck off of the Illyrian coast. Having traveled on the ship with her brother who
cannot be found at the moment, Viola is concerned that he has died in the accident. While the
Captain informs Viola about Orsino and Olivia, she expresses a desire to serve in Olivia’s court
and escape from the world in this manner. The Captain does not believe that Olivia will accept
Viola’s service and as a result she takes on the identity of “Cesario”, a favorite male servant of
Orsino. Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, is introduced with Maria and Sir Andrew. Sir Toby and
Sir Andrew are consistently associated with his drinking habits, by which Olivia is sometimes
bothered. Toby believes that Andrew would be a perfect match, claiming his wealth and
accomplishment, but Maria still views him as a drunk when they meet. In attempts to win back
Olivia’s love, Orsino sends Cesario to Olivia with messages of his love. Throughout her brief
time at Orsino’s, Viola (Cesario) has fallen for the Duke. When Cesario arrives at Olivia’s, she
originally does not wish to see him, but because Cesario is persistent and “handsome” she agrees
and is instantly enchanted by his presence, not knowing “he” is actually Viola. Cesario returns
with unfortunate news for Orsino as Viola has rejected his pleas for love.
Act II
This act introduces Antonio and Sebastian, Viola’s brother who thinks she has drowned. Antonio
saved Sebastian from the shipwreck and the two became friends (so much so that when
Sebastian travels into Orsino’s court, Antonio is willing to accept the danger of facing the
enemies he has there). Malvolio succeeds in catching Cesario to give him the ring he “left.” In
reality, Olivia is using this as a sign for him to return. While Olivia attempts to figure out
this “love triangle”, Sir Toby and Andrew are acting foolishly and drinking. Malvolio scolds the
men and Maria creates a plan to get back at Malvolio for being no fun. Cesario and Orsino have
a discussion about love while Toby, Andrew and the “fool” plan revenge on Malvolio by making
it appear as though Olivia loves him.
Characters:
Malvolio- ‘mal’ meaning bad implies the feelings Toby, Andrew and Maria have towards
him, and also his bitter nature
Fabian: literally meaning “one who grows beans” this implies Fabian’s role as a servant
Feste: a joker, his name implies is fun and joking nature
Olivia/Viola: the similarities of their names suggest their similarities; they were involved in
the same love triangle and both had the feeling of grief and wanting to hide from the world
Maria: In Hebrew, the word means bitter, implying Maria’s somewhat bitter attitude
Act III
Cesario (Viola) has come back to Olivia’s house to deliver another message form Orsino. When
Cesario arrives to the house Feste is out front and they joke around with one another. Feste then
goes
to announce that Cesario is here. Cesario goes to the garden and meets with Sir Toby and Sir
Andrew, there conversations are very awkward because they are both drunk. When they are
about to
go inside Olivia and Maria come to the garden and sends everyone away so she can talk to
Cesario
alone. Once they are alone Olivia expresses her love for Cesario and does not want any more
love
letters from Orsino. Cesario rejects her and tells her no one can have his(her) heart. Back in the
house Sir Andrew wants to leave because he saw Olivia all over Cesario. Sir Toby convinces
him to
stay by telling him that she was simply trying to make him jealous. Maria then enters to tell them
that
Malvolio is acting like a complete idiot and doing everything that the letter had told him to do.
The
plot then goes to the streets of Illyria and Sebastian and Antonio find out that it is not safe for
Antonio to talk in the streets because Orsino does not like him. They are going to try and find a
place
to stay. Sebastian continues to roam the streets and has the money Antonio gave him. Olivia
sends a
servant after Cesario and tries to figure out how to win him over. She then calls for Malvolio,
and
once he enters and starts talking Olivia thinks that he has gone mad. Cesario returns and Olivia
leaves Malvolio to go talk to him. Malvolio is then placed in the dark room to contain his
madness.
Sir Andrew gives a letter to Sir Toby for a duel against Cesario. He does not give it to him but
goes
back and forth talking to both Sir Andrew and Cesario for a duel of wits, instead. Olivia is trying
to
convince Cesario to love her. Cesario does not want to fight, but crosses paths with Sir Andrew
and
they both draw their swords. Antonio then shows up, mistaking Cesario (Viola) for Sebastian.
The
Duke’s men recognize Antonio and arrest him; he asks for the money he gave Sebastian but
Viola
does not know what he is talking about.
Act IV
Feste sees Sebastian thinking that he it Cesario, and tries to bring him back to Olivia’s house (he
does not know what is going on). He is then attacked by Sir Andrew because he think that it is
Cesario. Sebastian then starts to fight with Sir Andrew and he cries for mercy. Sebastian tries to
leave but Sir Toby does not let him and and pulls out his sword to fight. Olivia sees them and
grabs
Sebastian and takes him to her house. At Olivia’s house, Feste dresses up in monk’s robes to go
and
talk to Malvolio in the dark room to pull another prank on him by convincing him that he is
indeed
mad. Sebastian is walking around the house and agrees to marry Olivia even though she thinks
that
he is Cesario. They go off to get married.
Act V
Orsino is approaching the house with Cesario and Antonio. Orsino questions Antonio as to why
he is
there, but Antonio is still bitter to Cesario (who he think is Sebastian). Olivia then enters talking
to
Cesario, thinking it is the person she just married. Orsino is mad that Cesario betrayed him and
takes
him off to be killed. Cesario (Viola) then expresses her love for Orsino and Olivia is taken by
suprise. Sir Andrew then enters and is in pain and blames it on Cesario althought it was really
Sebastian who hurt him. Sebastian finally enters and apologizes to Olivia for hurting her relative.
He
then sees Antonio and is happy to see him finally. Everyone sees that Sebastian and Cesario look
just
alike. They interrogate each other and realize that they are who they say. Then everyone realizes
that
Cesario is in fact a woman. Viola then expresses her love to Orsino once again. Olivia then
realizes
Malvolio is not mad and lets him out of the dark room. He enters very angrily, demanding why
Olivia wrote that note (which she sees is not her handwriting, revealing the trick). Finally the
Duke
proclaims his intent to marry Viola.
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6.
1. She never told her love,
But let concealment, like a worm i’ the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought,
And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument,
Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?
- Viola (2.4.96-101)
2. “Come away, come away, death,
And in sad cypress let me be laid;
Fly away, fly away breath;
I am slain by a fair cruel maid.”
-(2.4, 55)
7.
1. Shakespeare’s style is concise, the most notable element being the frequent use of double
entendres. Shakespeare also uses paradox to heighten the emphasis and meaning of the related
metaphor and similes. Viola speaks of a paradox when she says that the concealment of love
reveals
it. Simile and metaphor are another 2 devices evident in this passage. Viola likens concealment
to a
worm and patience to a monument. Melancholy is characterized as a green and yellow object.
2. In quote two Shakespeare uses several different literary devices such as alliteration,
apostrophe, personification, oxymoron, and repetition. We see alliteration with “sad cypress” and
apostrophe/personification with the comment on death. An oxymoron is present with “fair cruel
maid”. Repetition is used in “Come away, come away” and “Fly away, fly away” which further
stresses the presence of death. The element of repetition adds to the poetic and musical aspect
of “Twelfth Night”.
8.
1. A spirit I am indeed, But am in that dimension grossly clad Which from the womb I did
participate. Were you a woman, as the rest goes even, I should my tears let fall upon your check,
And
say ‘Thrice welcome, drowned Viola!”
-Sebastian (5.1.228-234)
mistaken identity, disguise, gender
mention of womb - symbol of femininity
thrice drowned - he has lost his sister 3 times (1st - he believed she downed in the accident, 2nd she
dressed as a man, so he lost his ‘sister’ though Viola was not lost, only her identity as
female/sister,
3rd -
2. The more fool, Madonna, to mourn for your brother’s soul, being in heaven.
Take away the fool, gentlemen.
-Feste, the fool (1.5.65-67)
Feste , Olivia’s fool teases her in saying she should not mourn for her brother if he has indeed
gone to heaven, for he is better off. He calls her the fool and calls to her courtiers to carry her off.
This quote is a good example of the role of clowns in Shakespearean plays, and their relationship
with the characters. The clown is not a symbol, theme or motif himself, but he is representative
of the
theme that love is the root of all suffering. Feste points out that Olivia’s suffering is pointless,
but she
feels inclined to suffer because she loved her brother.
3. By Innocence I swear, and by my youth
I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth,
And that no woman has; not never none
Shall be mistress of it, save I alone
-Viola as Cesario (3.1.154-157)
Viola is disguised as Cesario, a man. But she slips up in the 4th line when she says no
woman but herself shall be the mistress of her heart.This quote is another example of gender play
and mistaken identity. Although Viola has Olivia completely fooled, she slips up in small ways
in
her speeches such as this. Viola claims she has never been in love with a woman, and will never
give her heart to a woman. She has however been in love with a man, so her false gender identity
is a loophole which allows her to lie about her love life in order to connect with Olivia and form
an
understanding on the silliness of love.
4. “Make me a willow cabin at your gate, and call upon my soul within...but you should pity
me!” Viola (Act 1 Scene 5)
>This quote is significant in that it represents the first real chain in the long line of deceit and
deception in the story. This theme is continued throughout the entirety of the story.
Another significance to what Viola says is that the actions she describes that would take place if
she
was the one in love with Olivia are the opposite of what Orsino is doing. This sets off Olivia’s
infatuation for Cesario adding another part to the dramatic love triangle.
5 .“Be not amaz’d; right noble is his blood...and let me see thee in thy woman’s weeds.” -Duke
Orsino and Viola (Act 5 Scene 1)
>This quote is significant in that it shows how much of an impact deception has on the
characters.
Here particularly, Orsino has been so deeply affected by the Viola’s impersonation as Cesario
that he
continues to use “he” when referencing her even though he’s already discovered her true
identity.
This draws on the theme that we come to assume so much simply based on appearance and the
way
in which one acts.
6 .“Wit, and’t be thy will, put me into good feeling...better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” -Feste
(Act 1 Scene 5)
>This quote also pulls on the theme of deception as way of life in some way. Feste’s comment
that
it is better to appear wise than to be wise and not appear so. This reflects and theme drawn from
the
whole story in that deception is tool that can bring you success, if used correctly.
7. “For the rain it raineth every day” - Feste (Act 5 Scene 1)
This quote is the repeated line that ends almost every stanza of the song Feste sings at the very
end
of the play. This line helps create a sense of rhythm throughout the last song, a feeling of
connection
such as the play itself has exhibited as all the characters and stories connected and inter-weaved.
8. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” Malvolio (Act 2 Scene 2)
This quote, while used to profess fake love to Malvolio, portrays all of the characters. Olivia and
Orsino are born with their royal linage, Viola achieves greatness through her dedication to
Orsino,
and Sebastian and Antonio have greatness happen to them by chancing into the correct situation.
9. “It were a bad recompense for your love to lay any of them on you.” Sebastian (Act 2 Scene 1)
This line serves to foreshadow how Antonio’s love for Sebastian is later hurt accidentally by
Viola
and how Sebastian ends up getting Antonio into trouble. Also, on a personal note, holy
mancrush,
Batman! These two guys spend the whole play speaking of love to each other. It’s weirdly
homoerotic.
10. “If music be the food of love, play on
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken and so die.” - Orsino (Scene 1 Act 1)
This quote introduces the main conflict throughout the play as well as introducing themes.
Throughout the play, the various characters gain affection for those who don’t return them, Viola
to
Orsino, Orsino to Olivia, Olivia to Viola (Antonio to Sebastian), and are forced to suffer through
the
pain of their unrequited love. As this is occurring, Feste the fool dances about, singing songs to
try to
entertain and maintain spirits, but his advances towards joy are not taken kindly. The two notions
compete somewhat throughout the book and are introduced in this line.
Orsino later states that he wishes to “overdose” on love so that he will no longer have to bear it’s
burden. Here, Shakespeare reveals his theme of love not only as burdensome, but also unwanted.
Page 3
Powerful ruler and
nobleman in the
country of Illyria. He
loves Lady Olivia but
begins to fall for his
male companion
Cesario as the book
progresses.
Malvolio is a very
arrogant man who
serves as the brunt of
Maria/Andrew/Toby’s
cruel joke. By the end
of the play he
promises to exact
revenge on all the
characters because of
his humiliation.
A rich woman who is
by courted by Orsino
and Aguecheek but
refuses because of the
loss of her brother;
falls in love with
Caesario/Viola.
Protagonist; disguised
herself as a man called
“Caesario” and works
as a page for Orsino;
eventually falls in
love with Orsino
Viola's lost twin
brother, Lady Olivia
falls in love and wants
to marry him.
“If music be the food
of love, play on…”
Noble, egotistical,
loving, and enjoys
sexual feelings.
“I may command
where I adore. Why,
she may command
me; I serve her, she is
my lady…”
“O, you are sick of
self-love, Malvolio
and taste with a
distempered appetite.
To be generous,
guiltless…”
A stiff and very
proper man, described
as a “puritan.” He
frowns on obnoxious
behavior like Sir
Toby’s drinking.
Seems to be secretly
in love with Olivia, as
the joke runs its
course.
Beautiful, rich
woman; somewhat
emotionally distraught
from the loss of her
family and is
indecisive.
“I’ll do my best to
woo your lady. Yet, a
barful strife! Whoe’er
I woo, myself would
be his wife.”
Young woman who is
the most consistent
character in the story;
falls in love and
values family
"A spirit I am indeed;
But am in that
dimension grossly
clad, Which from the
womb I did
participate."
Simple minded, not
well-rounded, basic
Antonio
Rescues Sebastian
after his shipwreck,
becomes romantically
involved with him.
Ambitious,
homosexual, caring,
and loving.
Maria
Olivia's servant, very
eager to fall in love
and get married.
“I could not stay
behind you. My
desire, more sharp
than filed steel, did
spur me forth…”
"Ay, sir, I have them
at my fingers' ends.
have . . . at my fingers'
Orsino
Malvolio
Olivia
Viola
Sebastian
Daring, outspoken,
clever, witty, and in
good spirits at all
ends have at the
ready
Marry, now I let go
your hand, I am
barren."
times.
Toby
Sir Toby is Olivia's
uncle. He manipulates
Andrew to continue to
woo Olivia so he can
keep getting money
from Andrew, since
Andrew is rich but
dimwitted.
“Confine! I'll confine
myself no finer than I
am: these clothes are
good enough to drink
in; and so be these
boots too: an they be
not, let them hang
themselves in their
own straps. “
Toby is a one of
William Shakespeare
finest comedic
character. He is a
strong-willed person
and a drunkard who
will do anything for
money.
Feste
He’s a source of
mockery and
amusement as he
pokes fun at many of
the characters. His
song at the end of the
book is a significant
commentary on
growing old.
Sir Andrew
Aguecheek is a friend
of Toby and a support
character to Toby. He
is Toby’s friend, or so
he thinks, but in
reality, Toby only
wants power and
money from him.
Andrew wants to
marry Olivia but
realizes she does not
love him.
“I am indeed not her
fool, but her corrupter
of words”
Very witty and
cunning, a jester who
can see the true cause
of someone’s
problems.
“He hath indeed,
almost natural: for
besides that he's a
fool, he's a great
quarreller: and but
that he hath the gift of
a coward to allay the
gust he hath in
quarrelling, 'tis
thought among the
prudent he would
quickly have the gift
of a grave. “
He is a rich, and loves
to wear red socks. He
is somewhat skinny,
and he wears fancy
clothing. He is an
idiot who thinks he is
a brave, young
champion who is good
at languages, dueling,
and dancing, among
other things.
Fabian is a friend of
Sir Toby, and he
serves as an
accomplice to the plot
against Malvolio, as
“Though our silence
be drawn from us with
cars, yet peace.”
Very little of Fabian is
revealed, except that
he enjoys a good joke
and shares at least
some tastes with Sir
Andrew
Fabian
well as the duel with
Viola. He also acts as
a restraining force on
Toby in some
situations.
Toby.
Page 4
10. Settings: What are the major settings in the play? What do these settings represent in
connection with the work as a whole?
Olivia’s castle - Felinity, love, confinement/exclusion/separation
Olivia’s garden - Fertility, love, desire, and rash reactions/impulse
Sea coast - Wild, Unknown, Untamed/Uncharted territories, foreshadowing of the upcoming
confusion
Orsino’s court - Masculinity, strength, male dominance,
11. Opening scene: Describe the scene, and explain how the opening scene sets the tone of the
play as well as themes.
The opening scene is a discussion between Valentine and Orsino in which Orsino is expressing
his love for Olivia, only to find she has sworn off men for seven years to mourn her brother. This
introduces the main theme of unrequited love, and sets a light hearted tone, common in
comedies.
12. Closing scene: Describe the scene, and explain how the scene presents Shakespeare’s
commentary. What is the tone? How does it pull the story together? Who is the last speaker?
Why is it him?
The closing scene of the play presents the reader with closure and provides the “happy ending”
that is expected of the comedy genre. The last speaker of the play is the fool. This strategy not
only lightens the mood, but represents the frivolity of the story as whole. It also relates to the
theme of the foolishness of humanity, and shows that the fool might be the wisest of them all.
13. Symbols and motifs: Give specific examples of each, citing act, scene, and line numbers. Use
ellipses if you must, and be sure to explain their thematic implications. There must be five.
Disguises- Viola uses a disguise in order to get into Orsino’s court. This disguise creates the love
triangle between Viola, Olivia, and Orsino. Act I, Scene II, Line 51. This also extends to Olivia’s
veil, concealing her and adding to the obscuring of real identities in the story. Disguises relate to
the themes of the Dangers of Miscommunication and the Foolishness of Humanity, because they
keep people from knowing who people really are and cause silly situations, such as Olivia
accidentally falling for a woman in disguise.
Olivia’s Gifts- Olivia sends both a ring with Viola and a Pearl with Sebastian to illustrate her
love for him and both of these gifts illustrate the materialistic nature of man. Act 1 Scene 5 lines
307-315Act 3 Scene 4 lines 214-220
Messengers- Throughout the play, characters send messengers to each other. For example, in Act
I, Scene II, Line 13, Orsino sends ‘Cesario’ as a messenger to Olivia. Messengers are made
necessary in this case, because of Orsino’s unrequited love for Olivia. Throughout Act III, Sir
Toby is an unreliable messenger, stirring up trouble, and this contributes to the theme of the
Dangers of Miscommunication.
Clothing-Throughout the play it is illustrated that clothing is extremely important and defines the
characters class and gender. For instance, Viola becomes Cessario when she dawns men’s
clothing and Orisino even beckons her to put on women’s clothing so she can become his wife.
Act 5 Scene 1 lines 290-295
Act 2 Scene V, lines 156-158, the fake letter tells Malvolio to wear yellow stockings and crossgartered
Gender Confusion- Gender Confusion is a motif that is seen throughout the play. Viola dresses
up as a man, Olivia falls in love with a woman and Antonio appears to show a subtle affinity for
Sebastian.
Act I, Scene III, last line Olivia starts to fall for Cesario who is Viola
Act 3, Scene IV, lines 150 -200, Andrew writes a challenge to Viola, thinking Viola/Cesario to
be a man pursuing Olivia
Act 3, Scene IV, lines 325, Antonio butts into the fight thinking Viola is Sebastian
Act 5, Scene I, lines 95, Olivia enters the scene saying Viola/Cersario her lover, Viola has no
idea what she is talking about and leaves after Orsino
Act 5, Scene I, lines 235, Sebastian and Viola meet where the truth is revealed of them being
twins and Viola really being a woman
14. Old AP prompt: Choose one prompt on which you could use this play. Write the year of the
prompt at the top of the box, and write an opening paragraph for Question 3. Be eloquent and
suburb.
1993. “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter.” Choose a novel, play,
or long poem in which a scene or character awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an
essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning
of the work.
In Shakespeare’s well-known play, Twelfth Night, the character of the fool is both amusing
and intriguing. Often the fool appears wittier and wiser than those who are thought of as
gentlemen, though they are supposed to be more intelligent than a common fool. These scenes
induce laughter, but also cause the reader to reflect on society’s conceptions of people and what
it means to be foolish. The fool in Twelfth Night awakens laughter and reflection on society and
the nature of intellect.
15. Themes: Choose five themes, write them in complete sentences, and provide an example of
support, citing acts, scenes and line numbers.
The importance of a person’s identity and the frequency with which it is mistaken- Throughout
the play, Shakespeare comments on the mistaken identities between Cesario and Sebastian,
leading to Antonio’s incarceration and Olivia’s mirage to Sebastian. In Act 4 scene 1 line 8, the
fool comments on this sibling confusion in saying “Nothing that is so is so.”
The foolishness of humanity-An example of this theme is when Malvolio reads Maria’s love
letter and is foolishly deceived into wearing yellow stockings and cross garters because he thinks
it will win him Olivia’s love. Act 2 Scene 5 110-135
The Pain (and foolishness) of Unrequited Love: This theme is prominent throughout the entire
novel between various characters: Orsino’s feelings for Olivia, Olivia’ feelings for Cesario,
Viola’s feelings for Orsino, Sir Andrew’s feelings for Olivia, and Malvolio’s feelings for Olivia.
Example: when Viola takes Olivia the ok message from the Duke Act 1 Scene 5 168-242
Irony in human interactions- -When Viola tells the Duke that he desires a man just like him but
he does not realize it, this is evident to the audience, but not to the Duke. Act 2 Scene 4 25-35
The malevolence of human nature: When Maria, Andrew, and Toby decide to deceive Malvolio
and also when Toby tries to deceive Andrew so that he does not have to pay back his outstanding
debt. Act 2 Scene 3 lines 147-190