Discuss the role that the fools (Feste, Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew) play in the comedy and explain the humour they add to the play
Discuss the role that the fools (Feste, Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew) play in the comedy and explain the humour they add to the play. Even the name of the play: "Twelfth Night" suggests comical intentions, the day of the twelfth night was commonly know as "topsy turvey" day where all the roles are reversed, men become women or vice-versa, servants become masters and they have power for the day. In "Twelfth Night" Feste the clown is not the only fool within the play. He and many other characters combine their silly acts, for example getting drunk and deceiving Malvolio, too disturb and effect the other characters such as Olivia who our main intentions and sympathies are directed towards while she is on stage. The fools use humour as attention-seeking means to attract audience concentration. The fools use several types of humour in the play one of these is 'visual slapstick' humour this comes about within the play because of the way the characters act, a good example of this is sir Toby. Shakespeare creates his humour use by using sir Toby's drinking problem as a comical factor, the way that sir Toby performs when he's drunk entertains the audience adding comedy to the play. According to a critic "It is natural that a fool should be a prominent and attractive figure that makes an important contribution to the comedy". In "Twelfth Night", the clown and the other fools such
Twelfth Night is a feminist play. Discuss.
Twelfth Night is a feminist play. Discuss. The play Twelfth Night was written in the Elizabethan days, near the end of the ruling of Queen Elizabeth I. It was also during The Renaissance, which is also the rebirth of learning, which this play was born. It was a period of change, questioning and vitality. People no longer believed everything they were told, but tried to find things out for themselves. As to whether Twelfth Night is a feminist play, would have several differing points to show against or for it. As it was the 'period of change', this play could have been written to change people's ideas of females and males in general. Since the olden days, women have always been viewed as emotional, irrational, petty people, and when compared to the men, not as able and capable. In the play Twelfth Night, there are many different characters, both male and female, and even a female in the disguise of male. Indeed, the play in itself is complex, and has many different hidden themes and meanings within. Shakespeare, having also lived in this time of change, could be trying to satisfy the people who are trying to find things out for themselves. He could be trying to display to the people, and let the people question themselves, and wonder, whether females are who they were said to be, and men, likewise. As to whether Twelfth Night is a feminist play, there are arguments both
And what should I do in Illyria?
And what should I do in Illyria? My brother, he is in Elysium. (1.2.2-3) Viola believes that her brother has drowned during the storm that wrecked the ship. She asks what is to become of her now that her brother is no longer alive to protect her. Elysium, the classical Greek equivalent to heaven represents a place of peace and eternal joy. The similarity in the sounds of the names seems to link Illyria with Elysium, suggesting a place of security and happiness. The inference is that Illyria will eventually provide the healing that Viola needs after the (apparent) loss of her brother. (Go to the quote in the There is a fair behaviour in thee, captain And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I well believe thou hast a mind that suits With this thy fair and outward character. (1.2.43-47) Viola confides her plans for disguising herself as a boy to the Sea-Captain who has saved her from the storm. She comments that although a fair and kindly exterior can sometimes conceal a corrupt soul, she believes that the Captain's nature is as true and loyal as his appearance suggests. This being so she intends to trust him with her secret plan of dressing herself as a boy to protect herself whilst she is in Illyria, and will even ask the Captain's aid in achieving this. (Go to the quote in the text of the play) Did you never see
A Consideration of the Role of Feste in Twelfth Night
A Consideration of the Role of Feste in Twelfth Night Shakespeare portrays Feste as a well-drawn, wise, cunning, adaptable character. His character is used in Twelfth Night to reflect on the actions and emotions of the others by keeping himself at a distance from the other characters and not becoming emotionally involved in any of the plots at the beginning of the play. Feste subtly conveys his messages and thoughts through his songs to the audience about the other characters in the play. He reveals in his songs that Orsino is "roaming" after the wrong love in his pursuit of Olivia. Feste somewhat becomes the narrator of the play by commenting on actions that occur within the play and foreshadowing events. When Feste first enters into the play he has been absent from Olivia's court a long time and must now return into her favour. He does not want to listen to what Maria says to him and using his quick wit manages to answer her. Feste demonstrates his quick wit and ability to juggle words effectively when he says: Let her hang me; he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours. This remark reveals that Feste does not fear Maria's threats and also reveals his intelligence and his philosophical side for he would rather be hanged than be in a war, "needs fear no colours". Shakespeare portrays him as a wise man although the Elizabethan audience might
Consider Shakespeare's presentation of Orsino and Olivia in Twelfth Night and consider how they can be compared with other characters in the play.
Shakespeare Essay: Twelfth Night Consider Shakespeare's presentation of Orsino and Olivia in Twelfth Night and consider how they can be compared with other characters in the play. In the play, "Twelfth Night" Olivia is a beautiful, wealthy and noble Illyrian lady who is courted by Orsino, but insists that she is in mourning for her brother, and therefore will not marry for seven years. Orsino is a powerful and rich noble man also residing in Illyria who is lovesick for Olivia. Initially, Orsino and Olivia appear to be dissimilar. However, Shakespeare purposely portrays them so that they have similar characteristics as well as their differences. They are both similar to one another, in the fact that they are both extremely persistent in trying to gain the love of their romantic obsession. Although Orsino does not try to win Olivia's love himself, he continuously sends messengers over to her court to persuade her to love him. He does this so much that Olivia expects the "young gentleman" at the gate to be a "suit from the Count" and tells Malvolio that he must do what he can to get rid of him, as she is not interested in what he has to say, Olivia: If it be a suit from the Count, I am sick, or not at home. What you will, to dismiss it. In Act II, Scene IV Viola suggests to Orsino that Oliva is not romantically interested in him as she has denied his advances before. Viola
Does Malvolio deserve his fate?
Georgia Smith 11V October 2001 Does Malvolio deserve his fate? Malvolio's character and the misfortunes he encounters though out Twelfth Night provide a lot of the play's comedy scenes. His haughty and pretentious demeanour makes him easy to dislike, yet the treatment he receives is at times a little undeserved and leads to the issue of whether or not Malvolio deserves his fate. In Act 1 of Twelfth Night the audience is immediately presented with Malvolio as a pompous and arrogant man who is 'sick of self-love.' He is shown as selfish and disillusioned with self-importance when unwilling to carry out menial tasks like delivering a ring; 'you might have saved me pains' even though it is part of his job. Blindly, he simultaneously criticises Feste's lack of funniness and Olivia for laughing at it; 'your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal,' he arrogantly lectures his superiors showing that he thinks he is above them. This negative representation of Malvolio is continued into Act 2 where the audience gets a glimpse of Malvolio as a puritanical killjoy. Before Malvolio even enters to bring an end to Sir Toby's fun, Maria comments on her surprise that Olivia hasn't already 'called up her steward Malvolio' to do so. This shows how other characters also think Malvolio is a curmudgeon. Our contempt for Malvolio increases further when he enters and begins to
Malvolio's Diary.
Malvolio's Diary. Oh Feste is such an atrocious character. He decisively intrigues and manages to entertain the Lady. He thinks I compete with him for the happiness of my Lady. But I have no need to challenge him; I am already a winner. Not with a fool's charm, but my respectable ways and forever-enduring honor. As for my fair Lady Olivia, such extravagance, wittiness and adoring beauty in body and mind. I have a timid love for her. But I am frightened of telling her of my secret. Not for I am frightened, but I do not know which personality I love of so many she has. After the death of her loving brother, speaking was her abnormality, I dreamed that maybe she would see the Puritan ways. She would have solid respect and a foundation for a longer lasting heritage with me at her side. But alas she seems to not undergo the same precautions she once took, she has began to wear more divine colour not the solitude black she once wore she speaks more often to women not of even of her own calibre. Today she talked to a man not of our residence, a man from Duke Orsino's court, her puritan ways were a disguise, an excuse. Her cleverness has leaded her to find that her false bereavement has also been a key to another of Orsino's many false sides of his puzzled heart. He must have some feelings for a woman crying for her lost brother, he must give her peace. One person who should give
Twelfth Night has been described as a 'bittersweet comedy'. Do you think the sweetness outweighs the bitterness?
Twelfth Night has been described as a 'bittersweet comedy'. Do you think the sweetness outweighs the bitterness? Twelfth night is a name commonly given to the Christian feast of the Epiphany which is celebrated on the 6th of January. On this day we remember the coming of the Magi and the taking down of decorations which is a sad occasion for many but also a happy occasion as new times are beginning. Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy, and romantic love is the play's main focus. Despite the fact that the play offers a happy ending, in which the various lovers find one another and achieve wedded bliss, Shakespeare shows that love can cause pain. Many of the characters seem to view love as a kind of curse, a feeling that attacks its victims suddenly and disruptively. Various characters claim to suffer painfully from being in love, or, rather, from the pangs of unrequited love. At one point, Orsino depicts love dolefully as an "appetite" that he wants to satisfy and cannot at another point, he calls his desires "fell and cruel hounds" Olivia more bluntly describes love as a "plague" from which she suffers terribly. These metaphors contain an element of violence. Even the less melodramatic Viola sighs unhappily that "My state is desperate for my master's love" This desperation has the potential to result in violence-as in Act V, scene i, when Orsino threatens to kill Cesario
Describe the different forms of disguise and deception that feature in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'.
Describe the different forms of disguise and deception that feature in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'. For this essay I shall try and describe the different forms of disguise and deception which appear in 'Twelfth Night'. The elements of both disguise and deception are both very important to the play, they bring confusion between the characters which add to the comical tones of the play. The main thought that we, the reader think of would be Viola's physical disguise as a male 'Cesario' which is one of the central plots that contribute to the comedy of the play. The thought of a male dressing up as a female (and vice versa) is increadibly funny to us today. This would work especially well on a stage, where the full impact of seeing someone trying to accumulate the characteristics of the opposite gender would hit the audience. Yet, because in Shakespeare's day, the female parts were played by boy actors, the original Elizabethan audience would have found a special sophistication in the part of Viola - which would have been a boy, dressing up as a woman, who in the play dresses up as a man. As confusing as it may seem, it does enable the audience to understand more of the situation when either Olivia or Orsino are on stage. It is also these situations which cause a lot of disruption and confusion which make up the plot. In 'Twelfth Night' disguise and deception are the key
'Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the theme of love throughout the Twelfth Night'.
'Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the theme of love throughout the Twelfth Night' 'Twelfth Night' is one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. While there are many aspects to the play, they all revolve around the theme of love. The idea of love appears throughout and helps create an atmosphere of mystery and confusion. The dramatic irony directly links to the main theme and is entertaining to the audience. The play features a love triangle between the three main characters, this triangle evolves and the relationships grow. This also adds to the entertainment value and exhibits Shakespeare's stagecraft. The play opens with Count Orsino's over zealous approach to love; 'If music be the food of love, play on' This dramatic link between love and music highlights passion and infatuation. Orsino's version of love is very powerful and he compares it to the power of music. Shakespeare uses a character that makes these exaggerated comparisons and uses hyperbole in order to underline his assumptions about love and how easily it can be confused with other emotions. Orsino appears very moody in the opening scene and this characteristic features throughout. His mood is volatile and changes frequently; 'Stealing and giving odour. Enough; no more' This fickleness shows Orsino's inconsistency and it is used to mirror the "insanity" often associated with love. Orsino