“Some of Shakespeare’s most important characters are the least interesting, and conversely, some of his least important characters are the most interesting.” Discuss this paradox with reference to Sebastian and Sir Andrew, Antonio and Maria, or another pairing of your choosing. You will also need to analyze a central character who supports this position or defies it.
Olivia accuses Malvolio of being “sick of self-love.” Which other characters also suffer from the same disease that makes them proud and self-important? Analyze the extent to which these characters are infected, and the effect of this self-love on their actions and those they come in contact with. Compare and contrast these characters with several whose love is more genuine or even selfless.
Discuss the different types of humor in Twelfth Night. Some is physical, some visual, some verbal, and
some situational. Explore the effectiveness of each type of humor and discuss how it contributes to the overall comedic atmosphere of the play.
In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare explores the paradoxical nature of his characters by presenting some of the most important characters as the least interesting, while making some of the least important characters the most intriguing. One example of this paradox can be found in the pairing of Sebastian and Sir Andrew.
Sebastian, who initially appears to be a minor character, becomes crucial to the plot as he is mistaken for his twin sister, Viola, and causes confusion and mistaken identities. While he may not have the same depth of characterization as other main characters like Viola or Olivia, his presence is vital in driving the comedic elements of the play.
On the other hand, Sir Andrew, despite being positioned as a potential rival for Olivia's affection, lacks substance and fails to capture the audience's interest. His constant folly and buffoonery make him more of a comic relief rather than a character with any real significance.
Similarly, another pairing that exemplifies this paradox is Antonio and Maria. Antonio, a pirate captain who saves Sebastian from drowning and develops feelings of love for him, is a complex and compelling character. Despite his limited stage time, Antonio's selfless and unconditional love for Sebastian makes him intriguing and endearing.
In contrast, Maria, although a more central character, lacks the depth and complexity of Antonio. She is portrayed as a cunning and scheming woman who plays a pivotal role in initiating the prank on Malvolio. While she may be important to the plot, she is not as captivating or interesting as other characters in the play.
When analyzing characters infected with self-love and self-importance, Olivia's accusation of Malvolio being "sick of self-love" also applies to other characters in Twelfth Night. One such character is Sir Toby Belch, Olivia's cousin. He is portrayed as a hedonistic and boisterous character, more interested in festivities and drinking than genuine emotions.
The effect of this self-love can be seen in the disruption it causes among the other characters. Sir Toby's reckless behavior leads to chaos and conflict, particularly with the self-righteous Malvolio. Their constant bickering and desire for dominance negatively impact the peace and harmony within Olivia's household.
In contrast, characters like Viola and Orsino display a more genuine and selfless love. Viola's unwavering loyalty to her brother and her self-sacrificing disguise as Cesario to serve Orsino demonstrate her capacity for genuine love. Orsino, despite his initial obsession with Olivia, eventually recognizes the possibility of true love with Viola.
The different types of humor in Twelfth Night contribute to the overall comedic atmosphere of the play. Physical humor, such as the slapstick comedic interactions between characters like Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, adds an element of farce and slapstick comedy. It elicits laughter through exaggerated physical actions and timing.
Visual humor, like the mistaken identities and disguise of characters, creates confusion and irony, leading to humorous misunderstandings. Viola's cross-dressing as Cesario and the confusion it causes with Olivia's attraction to her add to the comedic elements of the play.
Verbal humor, through witty wordplay and puns, is also prominent in Twelfth Night. Characters like Feste, the fool, and Maria often engage in clever and humorous wordplay, which enhances the comedic effect and amusement for the audience.
Lastly, situational humor arises from the absurd and improbable situations that characters find themselves in. The mistaken identity and confusion surrounding Viola and Sebastian create comical situations and misunderstandings that contribute to the overall comedic tone of the play.
Overall, the combination of physical, visual, verbal, and situational humor in Twelfth Night adds to its appeal as a comedy. Each type of humor serves its purpose in creating laughter and entertainment for the audience, and together they contribute to the play's comedic atmosphere.
some situational. Analyze how these different types of humor are used in the play and their effects on the characters and audience. Compare and contrast the use of humor in Twelfth Night with another Shakespearean comedy of your choice.
Explain the significance of the title "Twelfth Night" and how it relates to the plot and themes of the play. Provide examples from the play to support your analysis.