William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is one of his most beloved and enduring comedies, full of mistaken identities, unrequited love, and witty humor. First performed around 1601–1602, this play explores themes of love, deception, gender roles, and social ambition. It takes its name from the festive celebration of the Twelfth Night of Christmas, a time of revelry and role reversals. Through its complex characters and humorous situations, the play provides both entertainment and insight into human nature.
What Is Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare About? This article will explore the plot of Twelfth Night, its major themes, and the significance of its characters. It will also discuss the historical and cultural context in which the play was written and its lasting influence on literature and theatre.
Plot Summary
Act 1: Arrival in Illyria
The play opens with Duke Orsino of Illyria expressing his deep love for Lady Olivia, a noblewoman mourning the recent deaths of her father and brother. Olivia refuses to entertain suitors while in mourning, yet Orsino remains persistent.
Meanwhile, a shipwreck leaves Viola, a young noblewoman, stranded in Illyria. Believing her twin brother, Sebastian, has drowned, Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of Orsino. Viola, now Cesario, quickly earns Orsino’s trust and is sent to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia unexpectedly falls in love with Cesario, while Viola secretly harbors feelings for Orsino.
Act 2: Love and Confusion
As Viola navigates her conflicting emotions and Olivia’s growing affections, another subplot unfolds. Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, is tricked by Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, her maid Maria, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (a foolish suitor of Olivia). They forge a letter that makes Malvolio believe Olivia is in love with him. The letter instructs him to behave oddly—smiling constantly, dressing in yellow stockings, and being rude to others. His strange behavior leads Olivia to believe he has gone mad.
Meanwhile, Sebastian, who has survived the shipwreck, arrives in Illyria with his friend Antonio. This sets the stage for further mistaken identities and confusion.
Act 3: Climax of Misunderstandings
Olivia continues to pursue Cesario, who desperately tries to reject her advances while remaining in disguise. Sir Andrew, seeing Olivia’s interest in Cesario, attempts to challenge Cesario to a duel. However, Antonio mistakes Cesario for Sebastian and intervenes, only to be arrested for previous conflicts with Orsino.
Act 4: Resolution Begins
Sebastian encounters Olivia, who, mistaking him for Cesario, professes her love and proposes marriage. Sebastian, confused but delighted, agrees, leading to a secret wedding.
Act 5: Truth Revealed
The play reaches its resolution as Viola and Sebastian reunite, revealing the mistaken identities. Olivia learns she has married Sebastian, not Cesario, and Orsino, realizing his love for Viola, proposes to her. Malvolio, humiliated by the prank played on him, swears revenge and exits angrily, while the others celebrate their newfound happiness.
Themes in Twelfth Night
1. Love and Its Many Forms
Love is the central theme of Twelfth Night, but Shakespeare presents it in various forms. Orsino’s love for Olivia is self-indulgent and poetic, while Olivia’s love for Cesario (Viola) is impulsive and passionate. Viola’s love for Orsino is deep and selfless, while Malvolio’s desire for Olivia is driven by ambition rather than true affection. The play highlights the absurdity of love and how it can be unpredictable and irrational.
2. Mistaken Identity and Disguise
The use of disguise and mistaken identity is a classic Shakespearean comedic device. Viola’s disguise as Cesario creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows her true identity while the other characters remain unaware. The confusion between Viola and Sebastian leads to comedic misunderstandings and ultimately drives the play’s resolution.
3. Gender Roles and Social Expectations
Twelfth Night challenges traditional gender roles through Viola’s disguise. As Cesario, she experiences life as a man and gains insight into both male and female perspectives. The play questions rigid gender norms and highlights how identity can be fluid.
4. Foolishness and Wit
The play is filled with characters who either exhibit or mock foolishness. The clever fool, Feste, serves as a voice of wisdom, exposing the folly of others through witty wordplay. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew’s drunken antics provide comic relief, while Malvolio’s downfall results from his own arrogance and ambition.
5. Festivity and Excess
The play reflects the spirit of the Twelfth Night holiday, a time of revelry, disguise, and role reversals. Characters engage in excessive behavior, whether in love, ambition, or indulgence, reinforcing the idea that the world is often turned upside down.
Character Analysis
Viola (Cesario)
Viola is the play’s protagonist and one of Shakespeare’s most resourceful heroines. She is intelligent, compassionate, and adaptable, navigating the complexities of Illyria with grace. Her love for Orsino remains constant, despite the challenges she faces.
Duke Orsino
Orsino is romantic and poetic, but also self-indulgent. He is obsessed with the idea of love rather than experiencing true emotion. His shift from Olivia to Viola at the end suggests his love was more about idealization than reality.
Olivia
Olivia is strong-willed and passionate, rejecting Orsino’s advances but falling quickly for Cesario. Her impulsive love for Cesario and quick marriage to Sebastian highlight her emotional intensity.
Malvolio
Malvolio serves as both a comic figure and a tragic character. His self-importance and belief in social advancement make him an easy target for mockery, but his final exit, swearing revenge, adds a darker tone to the play’s ending.
Feste
Feste, the fool, is one of the wisest characters in the play. Through his songs and clever wordplay, he provides insight into human nature and exposes the foolishness of others.
Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Sir Toby is mischievous and loves to drink and scheme, while Sir Andrew is a dim-witted knight easily manipulated by others. Their antics add humor to the play but also highlight the theme of foolishness.
Historical and Cultural Context
Twelfth Night was written during the Elizabethan era, a time when theatre was thriving. The play reflects the customs of the Twelfth Night holiday, where social roles were often reversed. Gender roles were also a significant topic, as women were not allowed to perform on stage—meaning Viola would have been played by a male actor, adding another layer to the theme of disguise.
Legacy and Influence
Twelfth Night remains a popular play, frequently performed on stage and adapted into films and television productions. Its themes of love, identity, and social roles continue to resonate with audiences. The play has inspired modern retellings, such as the film She’s the Man, which adapts its plot into a contemporary setting.
Conclusion
Twelfth Night is a masterpiece of comedy that blends romance, mistaken identity, and social commentary. Its exploration of love, gender, and ambition makes it relevant even today. With its memorable characters, witty dialogue, and lively plot, the play continues to captivate audiences, proving Shakespeare’s genius in storytelling.
