1. By William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare

2. 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 Thus, Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets during this time.

3. 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!

4. William Shakespeare’s plays had universal appeal among all classes in Elizabethan England.
The Globe Theatre

5. 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.

6. To what does “twelfth night” refer?
Last night of Christmas celebrations that were popular in Elizabethan times (Jan. 6)
Also known in the church calendar as Epiphany, the Feast of the Magi (the “Wise Men” who visited baby Jesus)
This holy day, however, covers over a Pagan mid-winter holiday, Saturnalia, which became the medieval “Feast of Fools”
A day given to fun, disguises, and pranks

7. “Feast of Fools”
A holiday celebrated as a festival in which everything is turned upside down – much like the topsy-turvy world of Illyria!

8. What is the play about? Illusion Deception Disguises Madness Love
Concerned with the extraordinary things we’ll do in the name of love

9. 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; Pretends to be Cesario; page to Duke Orsino; loves the Duke

10. Characters
Sebastian: Twin brother of Viola; 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

11. Characters
Feste: The Fool; 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

12. Characters Sea Captain: Friend of Viola
Valentine and Curio: Aristocrats in Olivia’s court
Fabian: An aristocrat in the Duke’s court

13. Major Themes Appearances do not always reflect reality.
Illusion vs. Reality
Masculinity vs. Femininity
Role playing is a part of social life.
Social Climbing
Love often resembles madness.
“Will” vs. Desire
Nature of love, of “wooing”

14. 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