By William Shakespeare 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 1592-1594. 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.

12th Night Celebration Shakespeare wrote this play for the festivities for the Feast of Epiphany [the 12th night of Christmas].

12th Night Celebration During Shakespeare’s time, the Advent season was one of penitence and the Christmas celebration didn’t begin until December 25th. “Twelfth Night was January 5-6, the 12th night after Christmas. The wise men’s arrival marked the date. It was a time for partying and gift-giving.

Expectations of Celebration Broke societal conventions Masters waiting on servants People being allowed to play whatever roles they chose “What you will.” The “world upside down theme” portrays in the mismatched [potential] couples in the play through folly, madness, and foolishness.

12th Night Plot Main Plot – wooing Orsino/Olivia through Cesario (Viola) Olivia/Cesario into Olivia/Sebastian Viola (as Cesario)/Orsino Olivia/Sebastian (whom she thinks is Cesario)

12th Night Subplots/Metatheater Feste’s singing and begging Sir Toby’s drunkenness Sir Andrew’s wooing of Olivia Malvolio’s Puritanism Maria’s Jest Feste’s revenge

Twelfth Night two worlds Orsino’s / masculine Talk of hunting Music/emotion Love is unrequited Wooing through intermediary (Cesario) Direct wooing (Viola) Olivia’s / feminine Talk of grief Jesting /tricks Love is impossible Wooing through intermediary (Malvolio) Direct wooing (Olivia) Supposed wooing (letter to Malvolio)

U.K. Play practical jokes on their friends and neighbors Such as hiding live birds in a pie shell and watching the surprise as the guest cut open the crust. Thus, the subtitle, “What You Will” is an invitation to create your own title since happiness is of your own choosing. UK Traditions

Jesters/Fools During the era of kings, the jester HAD 1 PURPOSE OR JOB—SPEAK PLAINLY TO THE KING AND TELL HIM THE BLUNT TRUTH. LIFE IS FULL OF SADNESS. The best years of your life is short. Events are cruel—other people are cruel. In such a world, it is your DUTY TO FIND AND CHERISH ANY HAPPINESS YOU CAN FIND.

Puritanism Malevolio is puritan MAIN PURPOSE OF LITERATURE—utilitarian— teach/inform never to amuse or entertain scriptures was harsh—punishment was just as harsh redemptive piety and strict punishment/penance rejection of the "worldliness" God could forgive anything, but man could forgive only by seeing a change in behavior. Actions spoke louder than words, so actions had to be constantly controlled.

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; co-conspirator 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

12th Night/As You Will Couples Realistic Viola/Orsino Romantic Olivia/Sebastian Sexual Sir Toby/Maria Inappropriate Malvolio/Olivia and Sir Andrew/Olivia and Olivia/Viola

Major Themes Appearances do not always reflect reality. Role playing is a part of social life. Love often resembles madness. Masculinity and Femininity Nature of love (unrequited) & of wooing Grief Loyalty Revenge Puritanism: no fun, no drink, no song

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.

To Do For Success 1. Listen, follow along, & take notes for the play. 2. Watch the Act & summarize the action in chronological order in a bullet format using the Literary Analysis Sentence Frames. 3. Complete the Reading Log using evidence/quotes about how illustrates 1 theme of the play using the Literary Analysis Sentence Frames. [cannot use any theme twice]. 4. Create 3 discussion questions/critical thinking using Costa’s level 3 verbs or using the Literary Analysis Sentence Frames.