Twelfth Night- Act 1
Twelfth Night- Act 1 Viola, the plays protagonist, is a young woman of aristocratic birth. Washed up on the shore of Illyria when her ship is wrecked in a storm, Viola decides to make her own way in the world. She disguises herself as a young man, calling herself "Cesario" and becomes a page to Duke Orsino "Conceal me what I am . . . for such disguise as haply shall become". She ends up falling in love with Orsino even as Olivia, the woman Orsino is courting, falls in love with Cesario. Thus, Viola finds that her clever disguise has entrapped her. She cannot tell Orsino that she loves him, and she cannot tell Olivia why she, as Cesario, cannot love her. "Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him". Viola represents a contrast to other major characters who are deceived by appearances. Unlike them she is not in the grip of illusion. Her poignant plight is the central conflict in the play. Like most of Shakespeare's heroines, Viola is a tremendously likable figure and we can easily discount the peculiarity of her decision to dress as a man, since it sets the entire plot in motion. She is the character whose love seems the purest. She is not self-seeking but self-sacrificing. She speaks simply and directly about her love in a language that is not affected but sincere. The other characters' passions are fickle. Viola's love for Orsino is constant and deep. Only Viola seems to be
In what way does act 1 scene 5 of Twelfth Night prepare the audience for events that happen in the rest of the play?
Twelfth Night Shakespeare's Course work Year 10 In what way does act 1 scene 5 of Twelfth Night prepare the audience for events that happen in the rest of the play? "Twelfth Night" is the play we have been studying in class, written by William Shakespeare. It is named "Twelfth Night" because twelve days after Christmas up to twelfth night on 6th January, was a time of celebrations and festivities, often known as the "feast of fools", where all kinds of foolishness, trickery and sham were allowed. The play is set in an enchanted dreamland called Illyria. A fictitious world, full of magical possibilities and romantic comedy, where anything can possibly happen. Illyria is also a secure place, for example brother finds sister, lovers will marry and time itself will resolve any tangling difficult situations, because sometimes Illyria is also an unreliable world of disguise and mistaken identity. "I swear I am not what I seem" is Viola speaking, disguised as Cesario. The name Illyria also helps with the reinforcement of the fictions and exotic picture of the dreamland, something that was important because everyday life could be tough in those days. The accepted view of love in the Elizabethan times was that personal preference was unimportant, and it was up to parents and relatives to arrange their sons and daughters marriages amongst upper class and rich families in order to
'Twelfth Night' is a masterpiece made by Shakespeare in the 19th century. We have tried to 're-act' the play, in a more 'modern style' way. The next will be the review on what we have done so far.
We, the year 11 group of drama, have been working on a play called the 'Twelfth Night'. 'Twelfth Night' is a masterpiece made by Shakespeare in the 19th century. We have tried to 're-act' the play, in a more 'modern style' way. The next will be the review on what we have done so far. The play begins with a ship wreck, in which two twins are separated. The twins, Viola and Sebastian, both think that the other has been killed. This results in Viola searching out the captain. She tries to convince him to help her get a job somehow. The captain disagrees and says that you need to be a 'man' to get a job in the area in which he lives. Viola begins to dress up as a 'man' and searches out for a job. This is where she changes her identity to 'Cesario'. Viola soon finds work. She works for the 'so proposed' handsome Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. She falls in love with him, but due to needing the money to survive, she could not tell him that she's a woman. Besides this, there was another problem the Duke was madly in love with a woman named 'Olivia'. Orsino, orders Viola to give a 'love letter' to Viola to deliver to the beautiful Olivia. Viola accepts and says that she'll do anything for the Duke. She makes her way towards Olivia's house to deliver the letter to her. She knocks on her door and her butler 'Malvolio' opens the door. He tries to persuade Viola not to come in, because
In “Twelfth Night”, Shakespeare explores several different kinds of love. Discuss the various types of love portrayed in the play.
SHAKESPEARE COURSEWORK July 2001 . In "Twelfth Night", Shakespeare explores several different kinds of love. Discuss the various types of love portrayed in the play. "If music be the food of love, play on"- Duke Orsino. Here, Orsino expresses his love. This quote is saying that you cant live without food, and to live without love is the same as living without food- you can't. This shows how much love means to Orsino, and how strong it is. It is the opening sentence to Twelfth Night. He is in love with Olivia. This is the first type of love we are introduced to, of the many loves of this book. It is unrequited love. Unrequited love in this book is spoken of with great detail and passion from the users behind them. It is spoken beautifully and about beautiful things, with a great sense of happiness while thinking of the person they are in love with. The speaker may show their sensitive, emotional side. Orsino does this as he says: "...like the sweet sound, that breathes upon a bank of violets- stealing and giving odour..." This quote shows that Orsino is in really deep thought, and anything beautiful which comes to mind, he compares it to that of Olivia. This shows that he thinks Olivia is beautiful to compare her to things like this. Orsino would have been a very popular character as he is a loving and imaginative with words. In Elizabethan times, this would have
Twelth Night Production of Act 2 Scene 5.
Parminder Sandhu 9W2 2nd May 2000 Twelth Night Production Essay If I had been asked to produce Act 2 Scene 5. I would use light, sound and scenery. This is essay is to show how I would set it out. The scenery will show where each character is standing in the play. The play is set in the 1600's. The scenery will be in the gardens of Olivia's house and will be set in the daytime. When Malvolio picks up the 'love' letter birds will start flying around his head and around the tree where the Knights are to show the audience that somebody is watching Malvolio. The Characters costumes will show what standing they have in the scene. The Knights and will be wearing grand clothes to show that they are Sirs but Fabian will be wearing less spectacular clothes. Malovolio will be wearing boring unimaginative clothes showing he is dull and a puritan. The lighting of the scene will be varied according to which character the light would be on. This is to give the audience an idea who is the main character in the act and what they see around them. In Act 2 Scene 5 I would have a brighter light shining on Malvolio. Also on the three knights Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian I would shine a bright light on the tree but a darker light on the Knights themselves. This would therefore give the effect of Malvolio being the main
To what extent can you feel sympathy for Malvolio
To what extent can you feel sympathy for Malvolio? Malvolio plays the role of Olivia's self admiring butler. He takes advantage of his position in the house to abuse of those lower ranked in the house than him. These people are Sir Toby, Maria and Fabian, (Sir Andrew doesn't work in the house). These people have got fed up of this and decide to get their own back throughout the play. The dispute is that may be they went too far. Malvolio is smart in appearance and well dressed. Apart from this, Malvolio is pompous, vane, arrogant and has a lack of forgiveness. Malvolio's first entrance is in 1.5 l.2 and his first line of speech is in 67. If acted and spoken well it gives you a really strong idea of what Malvolio is like. Shakespeare makes you, straight away, make a stereo-type of Malvolio. The impression I got after his first line: 'Yes, and shall do, till the pangs of death shake him;' Was that he disliked Feste and that he was annoyed that Feste was getting attention from Olivia because Malvolio wanted Olivia all to himself because he is selfish. Then, 6 lines after he says: 'I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal.' 1.5 l.67 This line really shows that he thinks of Feste as a 'barren rascal' and that he is really arrogant the way he looks down on Feste. He also tries to get Olivia away from Feste when he says the line, and he is basically
"He hath been most notoriously abused" How far do you agree with Olivia that Malvolio has been unjustly treated in the play?
"He hath been most notoriously abused" How far do you agree with Olivia that Malvolio has been unjustly treated in the play? Twelfth night is a comedy which means that the audience's expectations are for a light hearted, humorous funny play. Usually in a comedy there is bawdy, lewd language and romantic liaisons. In the play there are also a lot of ridiculous and improbable coincidences which the audience only believe because of willing suspension of disbelief. The title Twelfth Night refers to the Christian feast of epiphany which occurs twelve nights after Christmas. This is always a very festive time; in many ways the play Twelfth Night resembles the comedies often shown on television around Christmas in the modern era. Traditionally on the twelfth night shops are closed, schools are on holiday and people don't go into work it is a time for feasting, dancing and being merry. There is also and idea that there is a suspension of rules everyone can have some fun and "let their hair down". The alternative title What You Will refers to the idea that during this time you can do what you want and all rules are suspended amongst the festive atmosphere. In the play there is a rather pompous servant by the name of Malvolio and during the play a questionably 'funny' joke is played on him. Malvolio is the person who tries to enforce and maintain the rules and therefore spoil all the
Some critics think that the Malvolio story is simply a way of delaying the discovery of the existence of the twins. Explore the Malvolio subplot bringing out why you think Shakespeare included it in the play.
Danny Tran September 2002 Some critics think that the Malvolio story is simply a way of delaying the discovery of the existence of the twins. Explore the Malvolio subplot bringing out why you think Shakespeare included it in the play. The Malvolio subplot, although only a subplot, has a great influence on the audience viewing the play. When reading the play as a book, we are informed of the twists and tangles that occur in it. However, when studying the play, we must think of it as theatre as the script was written for an audience to watch. This is very important when especially delving into the Malvolio subplot. This fascinating subplot supplies the reader and the viewer with entertainment in the form of mainly humour but also suspense (which may only be obtained from a watching viewer. Indeed I agree that the Malvolio subplot does delay the main plot but it is my point of view that this only makes the play more delightful to watch and study. This subplot, entwined with the main plot (the discovery of the existence of twins) makes the script a great deal more comic and the fact that some characters are present in both make everything even more interesting. We must remember that the play is intended as a comedy. However admittedly pupils do not find the script humorous because senses of humour have changed since 1600 when the book was written. This subplot
Samuel Johnson criticised 'Twelfth Night' because it 'lacked credibility and failed to present a true picture of life' so is 'Twelfth Night' just a pantomime?
Twelfth Night Samuel Johnson criticised 'Twelfth Night' because it 'lacked credibility and failed to present a true picture of life' so is 'Twelfth Night' just a pantomime? Today many people think of 'Twelfth Night' as a time to put decorations away and check there are no more pine needles in the carpets. Some people enjoy taking their energetic children to see a pleasant pantomime and let their favourite fairy-tales be performed in front of their eyes. However in Elizabethan times the twelve days following Christmas were a time for a mixture of emotions; disguise, madness and boisterous frivolity. So common sense and sanity were not part of these twelve days after Christmas. As these were days when a topsy-turvy festive world of fools and confusion was created as people swapped roles e.g. masters become servants and servants had control of their masters. It was a time of excitement for everyone. But sadly it was a momentary pleasure for as soon as the sixth of January came round times went back to normal. 'Twelfth Night' has elements from mummer's plays dating back as far as the thirteenth century and even has elements the same as today's pantomimes. The elements included are cross-dressing, bawdy humour and daft slapstick sword fights. Traditionally in mummers plays there are men dressing as women e.g. dames and this is also present in pantomimes. 'Twelfth Night' also
Try to show clearly the steps whereby Olivia; a veiled lady in mourning falls in love so quickly.
Try to show clearly the steps whereby Olivia; a veiled lady in mourning falls in love so quickly. At the start of Act 1; scene 5 we already know a little about each character and their role in the play. We have learnt that Countess Olivia has sworn to shut herself away from the world since her brother died. She has decided to veil her face in front of others, to stay inside her house and to deny any form of pleasure for seven years. We also know that Count Orsino has fallen in love with Olivia and is attempting to woo her. He has sent Cesario/Viola, his most trustworthy eunuch to her and he has been instructed to wait by Olivia's gate until he is permitted to speak with her. However the eunuch is not all he appears to be. He is in fact a she, who is herself in love with Orsino. Maria is the first to inform Olivia of Viola's presence. She depicts her as a well-spoken gentleman and as the initial complementary description of Viola, it fares an important step on the way to make Olivia fall in love. However Olivia sends her most arrogant courtier, Malvolio to dismiss the gentleman if he be yet another tedious page from Orsino. She is determined to grieve and has made it clear that under no circumstances does she want to speak to a suitor from Orsino. "If it be from the Count, I am sick, or not at home - what you will to dismiss it." The next part of the scene is unimportant,