Dramatic Techniques Essay
Kayla Harrison
You need the question here …to provide constant guidance.
In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare used several dramatic approaches to
augment the humorous value, examine significant themes such as identity and
love, and develop the storyline and subplots. Shakespeare utilized Dramatic Irony,
Foreshadowing, and Imagery, and Dialogue which are essential for the audience to
understand the storyline. The essay will debrief on the effectiveness of advancing
the plot and provide examples of these techniques.
Dramatic Irony is a prime literary technique used in Twelfth Night, as the
audience is more aware of the true nature of the events and their impact on the
storyline than the actual characters are. The result of the technique brings out a
comforting effect and interest to the readers as if they're keeping a secret
from the characters. It keeps the audience engaged in the storyline and allows
them to feel a part of the story. One example of this is In Act 1 scene 5, Viola was
introduced in a disguise as Cesario arriving at the Duke’s palace, which overtime
led to a love triangle affecting Duke Orsino and Olivia. The audience was aware of
Viola’s disguise thus creating comedy and suspense.✅ Another scenario of
Dramatic Irony happened in Act 2 scene 5 which involves Malvolio where he
found a letter, and thinks it is from Olivia. However, the audience is aware that the
letter is a trick orchestrated by Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew along with Fabian.
This is an act of deception, confusion and awkwardness. Irony assists in
developing another dramatic technique known as Foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing is a technique that gives advance hints in events where they are
unfolded further down in the play. An example of this is displayed when Viola is
first introduced in Act I, scene ii, the Captain shares his belief that Sebastian might
still be alive, because he saw him swimming away, “holding acquaintance with the
waves.” This note of doubt regarding Sebastian’s death foreshadows his later
arrival. ✅The audience witnesses the character’s reactions to that comment which
can subvert their expectations. Since the audience knows that Viola and Sebastian
are alive, the storyline would end with them being reunited. ( which did happen ).
As a reader, this technique created suspense, a feeling of unease, a sense of
curiosity and a mark of ‘nothing is as it seems’ within the play.
Next dramatic technique is Imagery where the author used descriptive and
figurative language to create an image. Food imagery abounds in Twelfth Night,
where it is frequently utilized as a metaphor for love and desire. One situation of
this is in the very beginning of the play where Orsino asks to be so full of the "food
of love" (music) that he becomes sick and loses his appetite altogether. The play
uses food to compare the strong feeling of desire that Orsiono is constantly
seeking. Development needed
Dialogue is an essential dramatic technique used to convey the plot/ message
of a story. Shakespeare incorporates dialogue within the play to invite the
audience in the character's personal monologue, feelings of status and internal
conflict. In Twelfth night, some characters like Malvolio display personal
monologues throughout the play. Also, this technique depicts themes such as
human desire, ambition and identity and relationships. The entire play is in
dialogue…therefore it is NOT a technique
In cConclusion, Shakespeare uses dramatic techniques in Twelfth Night to cover
the fundamental themes of the play, which are about human desire. Shakespeare
employs literary methods in a performative manner throughout the play's dialogue,
focusing on how individuals connect with one another and how their relationships
are impacted as a result.
Underline titles…..of books
FIVE drama techniques required for this essay
17/25 + 8/10 = 25/35
