The Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany, is a significant day in the Christian calendar that commemorates the visit of the Magi or Wise Men to the Christ child. However, in Shakespearean literature, the Twelfth Night has taken on a different meaning – a time of revelry, celebration, and social transgressions. This festive occasion was marked by feasting, drinking, and theatrical performances, and was often associated with the reversal of social norms and gender roles.
Twelfth Night Characters: A Closer Look
One of the most famous plays that captures the essence of the Twelfth Night is the eponymous play written by Shakespeare. In this comedic play, we see a young woman named Viola who disguises herself as a man named Cesario in order to work for Duke Orsino, who is in love with the Countess Olivia. The play’s plot revolves around the various misadventures and misunderstandings that ensue due to Viola’s deception, including a love triangle between Viola/Cesario, Orsino, and Olivia.
The Twelfth Night was traditionally marked by masquerades and masked balls, which provided a perfect opportunity for people to let loose and indulge in some social transgressions. This is reflected in the play, where Viola’s gender-bending disguise serves as a metaphor for the social and gender fluidity of the Twelfth Night festivities.
The play also features the character of Sir Toby Belch, a drunken knight who is the uncle of Olivia. Sir Toby, along with his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, often engages in boisterous and raucous behavior, much to the consternation of Olivia’s steward, Malvolio. This sub-plot is a nod to the debauchery and excess that was often associated with the Twelfth Night festivities, where people would drink and carouse until the early hours of the morning.
Another aspect of the Twelfth Night celebrations that is highlighted in the play is the tradition of playing pranks and practical jokes. Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, is presumed dead, but he later shows up alive and well, which causes further confusion and chaos. This type of trickery and deception was a common feature of the Twelfth Night celebrations, where people would play tricks on one another and engage in other forms of mischief.
In addition to the play, Shakespeare also wrote a poem titled “The Feast of Twelfth Night,” which celebrates the joy and revelry of the Twelfth Night festivities. In the poem, Shakespeare describes the various ways in which people would celebrate the occasion, such as feasting on roast beef and plum pudding, drinking wassail, and playing games like snapdragon.
Overall, Shakespearean literature offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Twelfth Night celebrations, which were marked by drunkenness, deception, and social transgressions. While the tradition of the Twelfth Night has evolved over the centuries, it continues to be celebrated in various forms around the world, reminding us of the enduring appeal of this festive occasion.