Twelfth Night
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Author Description
One of Shakespeare's most popular and light-hearted plays, Twelfth Night engages one of Shakespeare's favorite themes, the discrepancy between appearance and reality. The play weaves together a series of plots and subplots into a seamless tapestry of deception and trickery, love achieved and pomposity exposed. With its colorful cast of characters, from Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia, to Feste the clown, the drunken prankster Toby Belch, the shape-shifting Viola, and the vainglorious Malvolio, Twelfth Night presents an unforgettable slice of Elizabethan life that still resonates wonderfully today.Oxford School Shakespeare presents acclaimed editions especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. In this edition of Twelfth Night, illustrations have been extended and updated; the preliminary notes have been expanded; reading lists have been updated, and include websites; and the classroom notes have been brought in line with recent practice. This edition of Twelfth Night offers high school students everything they need to understand and, most importantly, to enjoy this marvelous work.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
After a shipwreck separates twins Viola and Sebastian, Viola disguises herself as a man to navigate the unfamiliar territory of Illyria, triggering a complex web of mistaken identities and unrequited affection. Viola enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is pining for the Countess Olivia, while Viola finds herself falling for the Duke. The narrative operates through a series of comedic misunderstandings and social satire, as the characters struggle with the fluid nature of gender and social status. The play utilizes a multi-layered structure where the central romantic confusion is mirrored by the chaotic antics of the household staff.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Use of cross-dressing as a primary catalyst for plot development
- Exploration of the discrepancy between outward appearance and internal reality
- Integration of musical interludes and lyrical dialogue
- Satirical portrayal of social climbing and vanity
- Inclusion of a classic fool character who provides philosophical commentary
- Complex subplots involving elaborate pranks and deception
- Shift between high-born romantic longing and low-born comedic relief
- Thematic focus on the transformative power of love and identity
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the play's balance between melancholy and high-spirited humor. Discussion often centers on the character of Malvolio and the moral ambiguity of the pranks played upon him by the other characters. Scholars often point to the fluidity of gender roles as a central point of interest for modern audiences. The play is widely regarded for its linguistic dexterity and its ability to maintain a light tone while addressing deeper human insecurities. Many readers appreciate how the various subplots converge to resolve the central romantic tensions by the final act.
Page Count:
144
Publication Date:
2002-11-07
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198320191
ISBN-13:
9780198320197
Drama
Comedy
Plays
classic
Shakespearean
