Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Description

Twelfth Night is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, written between 1601-1602. It’s a rich play with elements of mistaken identity, love, and the inversion of different social and gender identities. The title refers to the merrymaking of the Twelfth Night after Christmas, whose atmosphere is characterized by rollover activities; this theme comes alive through the action in the play itself.

Synopsis
Title and Author: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

Genres/Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Plot Summary:

The play is opened by a shipwreck which separates twins Viola and Sebastian who both believe that the other is drowned. Viola is washed up into Illyria where, for safety she disguised herself as a young man named Cesario. She enters into the employ of Duke Orsino, who is in love with Lady Olivia.
Orsino sends Cesario, disguised as Viola, to talk with Olivia about his love, but Olivia has also fallen in love with Cesario, now known only as “him”, who actually is disguised Viola. This adds a degree of love triangle to the play as Viola falls deeply in love with Orsino, which creates more confusion and comedy.
Meanwhile, there is another running subplot that is full of comic characters: drunken uncle Sir Toby Belch and his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheck and a steward in Olivia’s house whom they play a very mean trick on.
As the play unfolds, Viola’s twin brother Sebastian comes to Illyria having survived the shipwreck. He only makes things worse for her as people mistaken him for Cesario.
With the revelation of Viola’s true identity, Olivia getting married to Sebastian, and Viola to Orsino, it ends with the play.