12th Night Essay - If one character from 12th Night could feature in a Simpsons Episode, who would it be?
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a comedy about a young girl, Viola, who is separated from her twin brother due to a shipwreck. Viola dresses up as a man in order to make a living, but runs into some dilemmas along the way. During her endeavors, some interesting characters are introduced in Twelfth Night, one of whom is the humorous Sir Toby Belch. Sir Toby is Countess Olivia’s alcoholic uncle, who loves to play pranks and have fun. He could appear on an episode of the Simpsons, because he adds to the plot, and he has comedic potential guaranteed to appeal to Simpsons fans. Sir Toby Belch would be a great guest star to appear on the episode “Twelfth Night, or Whatever.” because of his ability to add to the plot. Sir Toby is an alcoholic, and this could be greatly exaggerated in the Simpsons episode. In a scene from the play, the extent of Sir Toby’s alcoholism was portrayed when he commented “I’ll drink to [her] as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria.” (1.3.35). This would be a sight to see, and maybe lead to Sir Toby drinking too much and learning a lesson. Sir Toby’s love of alcohol could be helpful in his interaction with other Simpsons’ characters. For example, Sir Toby is seen persuading Sir Andrew to join him, saying “Come come, I’ll go burn some sack. ‘Tis too late to go to bed now.” (2.3.165)”. Seeing how
How does Shakespeare manipulate and vary the mood throughout Act 2 Scene 3 of Twelfth Night?
Amy Van Schalkwyk English: Essay How does Shakespeare manipulate and vary the mood throughout Act 2 Scene 3? In the opening to this scene Shakespeare creates a comic atmosphere by the use of jovial characters; Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. They are carousing in a drunken, noisy celebration and are shortly joined by Feste. However the merry atmosphere is cut short by the introduction of Feste’s song. The song, despite the fact that it is a love song seems to allude to death with the reference to the lover’s journeys end. This could be Shakespeare’s way of reminding the audience that love will not last for ever, creating a rather dismal mood. However shortly after, Feste delights in another song which provides the audience with subtle hints of what is to come further in the play. The audience later learn that the song is what sparks Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew’s trick on Malvolio, as it urges that they must live in the present as ‘in delay there lies no plenty’ suggesting that other characters in the play will too realize that time is short and the speed of the plot will start to increase when characters decide to confess their love creating a sense of excitement. ‘Youth’s a stuff will not endure.’ Suggests to the audience that Olivia’s beauty is fast fading and if she wishes to find love she must come out of her mourning state. It also alludes to
Twelfth Night. To what extent do Act 2 scene 5 and Act 3 scene 1 use conventions of tragedy
Martina Betteto To what extent do Act 2 scene 5 and Act 3 scene 1 use conventions of tragedy? According to Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher and writer, there are eleven essential aspects of tragedy. Twelfth Night is a typical Shakespearean romantic comedy, however we can find some of these Aristotle aspects in the play. In this essay I’m going to focus on two scenes of two different Acts of Twelfth Night, and both of them have perspectives that could be included in the genre of comedy and tragedy. In Act Two, Scene Five, Maria appears,with the love-letter she has written for the purposes of baiting Malvolio. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and their friend Fabian are present; they hide behind a tree as Malvolio approaches, and Maria places the letter somewhere where he is certain to find it. Malvolio approaches, already muttering nonsense about thinking that Olivia fancies him, and about how things would be if they were married; this angers Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, who want to beat Malvolio for his pretension. Malvolio finally spots the letter, and recognizes the handwriting as Olivia's; he takes the bait completely, believing it to be proof that Olivia really does love him. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew marvel at Maria's plan, and how it has worked, and cannot wait to see Malvolio make an even bigger fool of himself. The mood of this scene is very light hearted and full of
Twelfth Night is full of echoes and parallels. Consider how these contribute to the overall effect of the play.
English Literature Max Chambers L6-1 Twelfth Night is full of echoes and parallels. Consider how these contribute to the overall effect of the play. The echoes and parallels in Twelfth Night separate comedy from poignancy pertaining to different kinds of love. They reinforce and enhance the audience's appreciation of certain characters, revealing a different side. They emphasize certain themes through language and metaphor, particularly those of love, disguise, and fate. They also create anticipation and suspense for the reconciliation of Viola and Sebastien. Shakespeare links certain characters together in the play. The twins, Viola and Sebastien, both make for the same place in Illyria. Obviously, their situations are similar as they were both involved in the same shipwreck. Both believe that their twin is dead and this is ironic for the audience, but more importantly, it creates anticipation and suspense as the audience await a reconciliation, which is likely to be comic, given that the pair are identical twins and Viola is disguised as a man. Shakespeare links Orsino and Olivia together, as both are self-absorbed and proud. This is recognised in both characters by Viola. Both Orsino and Olivia describe love in terms of visual qualities. For Orsino, the sentiment is instantaneous, "when mine
How does Shakespeare explore aspects of love, gender and identity in Twelfth Night?
How does Shakespeare explore aspects of love, gender and identity in Twelfth Night? Edward Worboys In William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, many relationships are forged or sabotaged for and by the characters, and as a result these relationships are made comical. The use of disguise causes deception and misunderstanding which leads to love where it is not meant to be. Foolery leads the characters into inescapable traps, which causes chaos with their emotions, and finally pure physical attraction and not true love lead some characters into falsely believing that they were in love. This combined with warped identities and gender misunderstandings; relationships were twisted and contorted so often that comedy was bound to result. Throughout Twelfth Night deception caused confusion between many characters, but the one character that remain in the centre of this confusion was Viola. The deception was caused because of her outward appearance. She was disguised as a man in order to get closer to Orsino. The confusion begins when Viola is sent to woo Orsino's love Olivia. She in turn falls in love with Viola's counterpart Cesario. Olivia's love is revealed when she sends her servant Malvolio to return a ring which Viola never gave to her. She says, "Run after that same peevish messenger, The County's man. He left this ring behind him... I do I know not what, and fear to find Mine
'Disguise I see thou art a wickedness' (Viola 2.2) What is the function of disguise in Twelfth Night?
'Disguise I see thou art a wickedness' (Viola 2.2) What is the function of disguise in Twelfth Night? William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is a play based around disguise in the form of deception and becoming someone different. In Twelfth Night, disguise takes many different shapes from physical disguise to mental disguise. Disguise is one of the main topics of the play and helps to create the plot. It brings in confusion and comedy as well as the darker and sadder side of the play which is disguised as fun and happiness. Disguise is evident from the very beginning of the play. A supposedly noble Duke Orsino is suffering due to his unrequited love for the Lady Olivia. The Lady Olivia, however, is also suffering due to the recent deaths of her brother and father. Her way of mourning them involves her hiding behind a veil or disguising herself from the truth and refusing male company: 'But like a cloistress she will veiled walk, And water once a day her chamber round With eye-offending brine'. Disguise creates confusion when a character named Viola becomes shipwrecked in Illyria, a place previously unknown to her. She has been warned of the dangers of being alone in Illyria and decides that it is best if she disguises herself. Viola disguises herself as Cesario, a male eunuch, and goes to work for the Duke Orsino. Unaware that Cesario is not what he seems, the
Examine the role and function of Feste within the play. What is your opinion of him?
Examine the role and function of Feste within the play. What is your opinion of him? In Elizabethan times the Twelfth Night was a time of holiday and festivals and it was sometimes known as the feast of fools. Slapstick comedy, satire and romance along with disguise and frivolity were all ingredients, which would have been the order of the day. Feste the fool represents the festive spirit of the play, and he makes an important contribution to the action. Fools were employed by noble families, Feste is employed by the Countess Olivia. His role in Olivia's household is to provide music, witty comment to engage in verbal repartee and to participate in slapstick comedy. Additionally in the play he also provides wisdom and sardonic comment on what is going on. Feste is quite unique as he moves around all levels of society in Ilyria, being equally welcome above and below stairs. Feste's foolery is everywhere as he moves between the households of Olivia and the Duke Orsino. This makes Feste a significant character and very much his own man. Feste is the professional fool of the play rather than being a 'real' fool such as Sir Andrew or Malvolio. He observes, " Foolery sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines everywhere" What he is observing here is that he is surrounded by people who are fools. In many ways Feste seems to be the wisest person in the play. Feste
The Dramatic Importance of Act 1 Scenes 1 and 2 referring to other parts of the play wherever appropriate ('Twelfth Night')
The Dramatic Importance of Act 1 Scenes 1 and 2 referring to other parts of the play wherever appropriate The title 'Twelfth Night' seems to suggest that Shakespeare, who wrote the play around 1602, wanted it to be performed on the twelfth day after Christmas; the festival of the Epiphany. This day formally marked the end of the Christmas season, which at the time was celebrated as a special festival. In addition to eating, drinking and generally over indulging, the performance of plays was a common feature on this day. He may have written this romantic comedy whilst keeping this festive spirit in mind. The title therefore may have had some bearing on the actual plot or characters. The secondary title 'What You Will', suggests that the play has something of interest for everyone and it also reflects the theme of excess. This title is appropriate, as this theme is apparent in some of the characters, particularly in terms of their longings and desires. 'Twelfth Night' was the last of Shakespeare's 'mature comedies', the other two being 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'As you like it'. Like most of Shakespeare's other plays, this play does not have an original plot. It has many elements that were common to Elizabethan romantic comedy, including the devices of mistaken identity, separated twins and cross-dressing disguises. The plot revolves around overcoming obstacles to true
Describe the different forms of disguise and deception that feature in the Twelfth Night
Describe the different forms of disguise and deception that feature in the Twelfth Night. Disguise and deception play significant roles in Shakespeare's romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Shakespeare places emphasis on these somewhat "wickedness" (A2 S2 L26) traits to somehow create a traditional romantic comedy; where despite the negative ideas of disguise and deceit play a prominent role, love blossoms and a happy ending prevails. The tireless use of these ideas in different forms and guises, which endure throughout the whole play highlights the themes of love, madness and appearance versus reality; where disguise and deceit both take credit for possessing a major responsibility in providing twists, turns and humor in the main and sub-plots. Orsino is the first character introduced to the play. He is the Duke of Illyria and therefore the most powerful character implemented into Shakespeare's play. Upon his arrival to the story, he immediately disguises his ignorance of love by speaking in poetics form to deceive the audience and the characters around him. "If music be the food of love, play on" (A1 S1 L1) is promptly contrasted in line 7 "Enough, no more; 'Tis not so sweet as it was before". This contradiction implicates his ignorance of what love is really about. His vocabulary and figurative language, both influenced by poetic speech does well to fool everyone that he is not
Examine the ways in which Shakespeare uses structure and language to dramatise the comparisons between different kinds of love in Twelfth Night focusing on Act 5, Scene 1 and one or two other scenes of your choice.
Examine the ways in which Shakespeare uses structure and language to dramatise the comparisons between different kinds of love in Twelfth Night focusing on Act 5, Scene 1 and one or two other scenes of your choice. Twelfth Night is thought to have been written in 1601, near the middle of Shakespeare's career. The play looks at deception, disguise, illusion and probably most significantly the amazing things that love can cause us to do. Shakespeare does this successfully through clever use of language and structure. Act 1, Scene 1 of the comedy begins with a nobleman named Orsino, pining away for the love of Lady Olivia, a noble Illyrian lady. Shakespeare uses imagery to represent love: "If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting The appetite may sicken, and so die." Orsino's language contains images which recur throughout the play such as music, death, love and food while expressing his love. Orsino doesn't mention Lady Olivia until his discussion with Curio soon after, this leads us to suggest that Orsino is in love with the idea of being in love itself, therefore being selfish. Consequently the reference to food can be perceived as Orsino's hunger for love. This hunger we are told leads to sickness and pain, again the imagery of sickness symbolises Orsino's extreme feelings towards love. The idiom 'If music be the food of love,