William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples

William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeares most famous comedies, involving complex plots, which result in hilarious outcomes. The main plot of Twelfth Night tells of Count Orsinos efforts to woo the Lady Olivia who does not return his affection. Instead, Olivia is smitten with Orsinos servant Cesario, unaware of his true identity. Cesario is actually shipwrecked Viola who, believing her brother has drowned, dresses up as a man to work for Orsino. Viola consequently falls in love with Orsino who believes her to be Cesario. In addition, Shakespeare has created an equally confusing sub-plot involving Olivias servant Malvolio and the other members of Olivias†¦show more content†¦In my opinion the joke that was played upon Malvolio to humiliate him was taken too far and in the end he was notoriously abused unjustifiably. Feste, as usual, realises before the other characters that the joke has gone too far and loses interest in it, I would we were well rid of this knavery On the other hand I believe that Malvolio did deserve some of the punishment that he was subjected to simply because of his pompous and arrogant personality. Malvolio was a puritan and that is why his behaviour is so contrasting to that of all the other characters in this play, Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale? When Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night in 1623 it was essentially ahead of its time because the Malvolio-based sub-plot foreshadowed the conflict of the Civil War in the next century. I believe that the opinions of the Puritans in general are expressed through Malvolio in the course of this play. Puritans on the whole were people who did not like the thought of people doing pleasurable activities and enjoying themselves. Malvolio was a Puritan and so predictably did not believe in fun, so when at the end the joke is revealed he has the response of Ill be revenged on the whole pack of you. Puritans alsoShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1146 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night The use of genre in any literary work assist the responder in understanding the text, as prior knowledge and past experience are used by composers to construct certain expectations due to characteristics that are recognised. Shakespeare, in his play Twelfth Night uses the Romantic comedy genre and its conventions of strong themes of love and a series of obstacles and misunderstandings concluded with a harmonious union of the loversRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1962 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night William Shakespeare was baptised on the 26th April 1564, and as it was the tradition for children to be taken to the church for this only a few days after birth, April 23rd has been traditionally held as his actual birthday. It also fits relatively nicely for English person to be born on St. Georges Day as this represents England. He was born in Stratford upon Avon. In 1601, near the middle of Shakespeares careerRead MoreThe Impervious Perception of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night1631 Words   |  7 PagesIn the kingdom of Illyria (fantasy world), Twelfth Night was supposedly originally written for the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare’s comedy associates with the Feast of Epiphany (January 6th) and was means for entertainment in the seventeenth century. It contains some aspects that can be thought of as a successful comedy when compared to the standards of today’s society. The play incorporates some of the very same devices that are used in modern comedies today, such as topsy-turvyRead MoreEssay on William Shakespeares Twelfth Night3268 Words   |  14 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night In Act 1, scenes 1-3, there are many ways to which these scenes provide an effective opening to the play. Individually, these scenes each serve a different aspect, which contributes to an effective opening. In Act 1, scene 1, Orsino is introduced into the picture, with his whining and pining towards this love for Olivia, with much exaggeration, due to the excessive use of imagery, and gives us one of the central theme of the play –Read More Feste in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1077 Words   |  5 PagesFeste in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night In William Shakespeares comedy Twelfth Night, it is ironic how many times the fool is said to be dishonest, when, in fact, his role proves entirely opposite. Though sometimes the characters do not realize his hidden messages, the reader can instantly comprehend Festes figurative language, which is evident in every scene in which the fool appears. Whether he is singing to Orsino, arguing with Malvolio, or playing around with Viola, Feste alwaysRead MoreViola in William Shakespeares The Twelfth Night Essay551 Words   |  3 PagesViola in William Shakespeares The Twelfth Night Viola as a main character is the most deceitful; she tricks everybody into believing shes a man, but as well as being most deceitful she is also the most honest and sincere. So what are her attractive qualities? Why does she appeal to us as an audience? In this essay I will be looking at Viola and her appealing qualities as well as the way in which I believe she should be acted. In many ways Viola represents trueRead More Misperception and Deception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night2160 Words   |  9 PagesMisperception and Deception in Twelfth Night  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Twelfth Night is likely one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining and complete comedy. This romance explores a generous wealth of themes and issues. The most recurrent theme is the relationship between misperception and deception. As a result of their environment and immediate circumstances, men are forced into misperceptions. Paradoxically, they are completely trapped by these illusions. Between the bad fortune they encounter andRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples453 Words   |  2 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night In Twelfth Night Olivias trusted steward Malvolio, like Sir Andrew, is the butt of comedy. His very name suggests ill-will, which echoes his role in the play. Malvolio is an egotistical, overweening rogue, who is a straight laced, puritanical, social climbing rebuker of others for their anti-social and often sinful behaviour, or as he put it, misdemeanours. Malvolios character is summarised excellently by Maria in Act IIRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples892 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night The final act is a simple scene in this romantic Shakesperian comedy. It brings together all the threads of the storyline the plots, mistakes and confusions. It shows Cesario (Viola) being accused of deception, lies and acts of violence by a number of others including Orsino, Olivia, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Antonio. The scene is set outside Olivias house. It begins with Feste (the fool) and Fabian negotiating with each other overRead MoreEssay about Deception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night775 Words   |  4 PagesDeception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night In William Shakespeares comedic play, Twelfth Night, a recurring theme is deception. The characters in the play used deception for a variety of purposes. Violas use of deception involves her disguising herself as a man in order to obtain a job with the Duke of Illyria, Orsino. On the other hand, Maria, Olivias servant, writes a letter to Malvolio in Olivias handwriting to make Malvolio act foolishly because of his love for Olivia. While William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples William Shakespeares Twelfth Night The final act is a simple scene in this romantic Shakesperian comedy. It brings together all the threads of the storyline the plots, mistakes and confusions. It shows Cesario (Viola) being accused of deception, lies and acts of violence by a number of others including Orsino, Olivia, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Antonio. The scene is set outside Olivias house. It begins with Feste (the fool) and Fabian negotiating with each other over Fabian being allowed to see the letter. The arrival of Orsino with his entourage including Cesario (viola). Allows the audience to observe the Duke is expressing his frustration with the lack of progress in his efforts to win†¦show more content†¦Olivia says Ay me detested! How am I beguiled? Tempers flare and the tension mounts. Cesario expresses his shock at Violas comments. Olivia reminds Viola of their recent marriage to a baffled Cesario . Olivia calls for the priest to be brought before her to confirm the marriage. A contract of eternal bond of love confirmed by mutual joiner of your hands arrested by the holy close of lips, strengthened by interchangement of your rings, and all the ceremony of this compact seated in my functoion by my testimony. Stated the priest. Orsino becomes angry with Cesario accusing him of double-dealing. He threatens to kill him to spite Olivia. The humiliation of being rejected by Olivia is more than he can bear. One minute he talks of love the next of murder, how quickly emotio ns can change. (The audience is left to wonder is the Duke a foolish fickle man?) The tension is now raising will Orsino respond to the revelation by hurting Cesario as he threatened to do. Next we see the arrival of Sir Andrew at Olivias house he appears to have sustained some injuries to his body. On seeing Ceserio he accuses him of causing the injuries Cesario again denies the accusation made against him not Knowing that Sir Andrew is mistaking Cesario for Sebastian. Sir Andrew says of Cesario He is the very devil incordinate. Temporarily the focus of the storyShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1146 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night The use of genre in any literary work assist the responder in understanding the text, as prior knowledge and past experience are used by composers to construct certain expectations due to characteristics that are recognised. Shakespeare, in his play Twelfth Night uses the Romantic comedy genre and its conventions of strong themes of love and a series of obstacles and misunderstandings concluded with a harmonious union of the loversRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1962 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night William Shakespeare was baptised on the 26th April 1564, and as it was the tradition for children to be taken to the church for this only a few days after birth, April 23rd has been traditionally held as his actual birthday. It also fits relatively nicely for English person to be born on St. Georges Day as this represents England. He was born in Stratford upon Avon. In 1601, near the middle of Shakespeares careerRead MoreThe Impervious Perception of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night1631 Words   |  7 PagesIn the kingdom of Illyria (fantasy world), Twelfth Night was supposedly originally written for the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare’s comedy associates with the Feast of Epiphany (January 6th) and was means for entertainment in the seventeenth century. It contains some aspects that can be thought of as a successful comedy when compared to the standards of today’s society. The play incorporates some of the very same devices that are used in modern comedies today, such as topsy-turvyRead MoreEssay on William Shakespeares Twelfth Night3268 Words   |  14 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night In Act 1, scenes 1-3, there are many ways to which these scenes provide an effective opening to the play. Individually, these scenes each serve a different aspect, which contributes to an effective opening. In Act 1, scene 1, Orsino is introduced into the picture, with his whining and pining towards this love for Olivia, with much exaggeration, due to the excessive use of imagery, and gives us one of the central theme of the play –Read More Feste in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay1077 Words   |  5 PagesFeste in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night In William Shakespeares comedy Twelfth Night, it is ironic how many times the fool is said to be dishonest, when, in fact, his role proves entirely opposite. Though sometimes the characters do not realize his hidden messages, the reader can instantly comprehend Festes figurative language, which is evident in every scene in which the fool appears. Whether he is singing to Orsino, arguing with Malvolio, or playing around with Viola, Feste alwaysRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples1337 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeares most famous comedies, involving complex plots, which result in hilarious outcomes. The main plot of Twelfth Night tells of Count Orsinos efforts to woo the Lady Olivia who does not return his affection. Instead, Olivia is smitten with Orsinos servant Cesario, unaware of his true identity. Cesario is actually shipwrecked Viola who, believing her brother has drowned, dresses up as a man to workRead MoreViola in William Shakespeares The Twelfth Night Essay551 Words   |  3 PagesViola in William Shakespeares The Twelfth Night Viola as a main character is the most deceitful; she tricks everybody into believing shes a man, but as well as being most deceitful she is also the most honest and sincere. So what are her attractive qualities? Why does she appeal to us as an audience? In this essay I will be looking at Viola and her appealing qualities as well as the way in which I believe she should be acted. In many ways Viola represents trueRead More Misperception and Deception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night2160 Words   |  9 PagesMisperception and Deception in Twelfth Night  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Twelfth Night is likely one of Shakespeare’s most entertaining and complete comedy. This romance explores a generous wealth of themes and issues. The most recurrent theme is the relationship between misperception and deception. As a result of their environment and immediate circumstances, men are forced into misperceptions. Paradoxically, they are completely trapped by these illusions. Between the bad fortune they encounter andRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night Essay examples453 Words   |  2 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Twelfth Night In Twelfth Night Olivias trusted steward Malvolio, like Sir Andrew, is the butt of comedy. His very name suggests ill-will, which echoes his role in the play. Malvolio is an egotistical, overweening rogue, who is a straight laced, puritanical, social climbing rebuker of others for their anti-social and often sinful behaviour, or as he put it, misdemeanours. Malvolios character is summarised excellently by Maria in Act IIRead MoreEssay about Deception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night775 Words   |  4 PagesDeception in William Shakespeares Twelfth Night In William Shakespeares comedic play, Twelfth Night, a recurring theme is deception. The characters in the play used deception for a variety of purposes. Violas use of deception involves her disguising herself as a man in order to obtain a job with the Duke of Illyria, Orsino. On the other hand, Maria, Olivias servant, writes a letter to Malvolio in Olivias handwriting to make Malvolio act foolishly because of his love for Olivia. While