description Twelfth Night Overview
Twelfth Night is a comedy by William Shakespeare, generally dated to around 1601 or 1602 and set in the fictional land of Illyria. After a shipwreck separates Viola from her twin brother Sebastian, she disguises herself as a young man and enters the service of Duke Orsino, producing a chain of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements. The play combines this courtship plot with the humiliation of Malvolio and explores desire, gender performance, social ambition, festivity, deception, and unstable identity.
insights Ranking position
Twelfth Night ranks #1 of 203 in the Play ranking, ahead of Sunday in the Park with George.
help Twelfth Night FAQ
Why does Viola disguise herself as Cesario in Twelfth Night?
After a shipwreck separates her from her twin brother Sebastian, Viola believes she needs protection and employment in Illyria. Disguised as Cesario, she enters Duke Orsino's service and becomes his messenger to Olivia.
Why does Olivia fall in love with Cesario?
Olivia is captivated by Cesario's youth, directness, and emotionally persuasive delivery of Orsino's messages. The audience knows that Cesario is Viola, turning Olivia's pursuit into the central mistaken-identity complication.
What happens to Malvolio in Twelfth Night?
Maria, Sir Toby Belch, and their companions forge a letter that convinces Malvolio that Olivia loves him. He follows its absurd instructions, including wearing yellow stockings, and is eventually confined as if he were mad.
Why is the play called Twelfth Night?
The title refers to the festive final night of the Christmas season, traditionally associated with revelry and social inversion. The subtitle, What You Will, reinforces the comedy's playful treatment of desire, identity, and performance.
explore Explore More
Similar to Twelfth Night
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
