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Twelfth Night
-William Shakespeare
What just happened?

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Historical Background

William Shakespeare received patronage from both

Queen Elizabeth I and her successor King James.

Elements of Elizabethan Romantic Comedy:

Mistaken Identities

Separated Twins

Gender-Crossing Disguise

Overcoming All Obstacles to True Love

Unconventional Elements of Twelfth Night

Highlighting the Insanity and Madness of Love

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A Modern Twist

Shes the Man (2006)

Starring: Amanda Bynes & Channing Tatum

Movie Trailer

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What is a Twelfth Night
Anyway?

In medieval and Tudor England, the Twelfth Night of

Christmas marks the end of a winter festival that
begins on Halloween (All Hallows Eve).

A time of merry-making, hard drinking, and of romantic (or

lusty) pursuitsexcess is expected to run rampant.

Lord of Misrule

Symbolizes the world turning upside downeverything is

thus reversed.

At the beginning of the feast, a cake would be eaten and

whoever found a bean that is hidden inside would rule the
feast.

His rule would end at midnight.

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Lord of Misrule

What is Reversed in Twelfth Night?

Viola disguising herself as a man.

Conceal me what I am, and be my aid

For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent. (49-51; pg. 1082)

Malvolio imagining himself becoming a nobleman.

Having been three months married to her (Olivia),

sitting in my state
Calling my officers about me, in my branched
velvet gown, having come from a day-bed where I have
left Olivia sleeping (41-46; pg. 1104)

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera

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What Happened in the End?

Viola Duke Orsino

Sebastian Lady Olivia

Maria Sir Toby

Malvolio promised justice and consolation.

Discussion Topics

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The Lord of Misrule
Whom

would you consider to be the

Lord of Misrule?
Recall: The Lord of Misrule is
appointed during the Twelfth Night
feast and is responsible for turning
the world upside down for the night.
Toby, Feste (the Clown), Malvolio, etc.

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Malvolio
Does

Malvolio get what he deserves?

What

causes Maria and Toby to play the

trick in the first place?
Are we supposed to feel sympathy for
Malvolio?
Does Malvolio deserve to get revenge?

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Love
How

can Duke Orsino switch his feeling

so quickly from Olivia to Viola?
Is

Duke Orsino simply in love with being

in love? Can a concrete decision be
made?
Does there need to be a reason?

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Comedy
What

parts of Twelfth Night have

traditional elements of (Romantic)
Comedy?

What

parts seem to be not-so-comedic?

What

about Festes ending song?

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Wrapping it Up
Overall

impression?

Favorite

scene/character?

Anything

else?

The End! :)