Walter H. Deverell’s Twelfth Night

Who was Walter H. Deverell? Deverell “was never a ‘recognized’ member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood,” but “he was acquainted with them and claimed D.G. Rosetti as his friend” [1]. His body of work is fairly small compared to his contemporaries. Deverell “was never a ‘recognized’ member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood,” but “he was acquainted with them and claimed D.G. Rosetti as his friend” [1]. His body of work is fairly small compared to his contemporaries.

Twelfth Night by Shakespeare A comedy composed by our beloved Billy between 1599 and [2] A comedy composed by our beloved Billy between 1599 and [2]

Twelfth Night, a Tale of Mistaken Identity and Cross-Dressing

Synopsis The leading character Viola finds herself shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother at the beginning of the play. Disguised as a male, she enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is smitten by the lovely Lady Olivia. The Duke asks the disguised Viola, who has already fallen in love with him, to woo Olivia in his stead. Unfortunately, Olivia falls in love with the “male” Viola. Eventually, Viola’s twin, Sebastian, arrives and is mistaken for Viola by Lady Olivia. The play ends in a declaration of marriage between the Duke and Viola, and Olivia and Sebastian [2]. The leading character Viola finds herself shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother at the beginning of the play. Disguised as a male, she enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is smitten by the lovely Lady Olivia. The Duke asks the disguised Viola, who has already fallen in love with him, to woo Olivia in his stead. Unfortunately, Olivia falls in love with the “male” Viola. Eventually, Viola’s twin, Sebastian, arrives and is mistaken for Viola by Lady Olivia. The play ends in a declaration of marriage between the Duke and Viola, and Olivia and Sebastian [2].

Scene featured in the Painting Give me some music. Now, good morrow, friends. / Now, good Cesario, but that piece of song, / That old and antique song we heard last night: / Give me some music. Now, good morrow, friends. / Now, good Cesario, but that piece of song, / That old and antique song we heard last night: / Methought it did relieve my passion much, / More than light airs and recollected terms / Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times: / Come, but one verse.... / O, fellow, come, the song we had last night. / Mark it, Cesario, it is old and plain; / The spinsters and the knitters in the sun / And the free maids that weave their thread with bones / Do use to chant it: it is silly sooth, / And dallies with the innocence of love, / Like the old age. Methought it did relieve my passion much, / More than light airs and recollected terms / Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times: / Come, but one verse.... / O, fellow, come, the song we had last night. / Mark it, Cesario, it is old and plain; / The spinsters and the knitters in the sun / And the free maids that weave their thread with bones / Do use to chant it: it is silly sooth, / And dallies with the innocence of love, / Like the old age. From Act II, Scene iv.

So What does this Picture Say about Twelfth Night?

The Clothing is not quite Elizabethan

Bibliography [1] strated/Deverell.Duke.html [2]