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Overview
Synopsis
Often lauded as one of the most structurally perfect comedies ever written and beloved by audiences for generations, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will is a masterpiece. Shipwrecked on the shores of the strange land, Illyria, Viola believes herself alone in the world and her twin brother drowned. Disguising herself as a boy to work in the court of Illyria’s Count Orsino, Viola discovers her male disguise has proven all too effective: Orsino sends her as a go-between in his persistent love-suit to the unresponsive Olivia. Even as Viola sues for Olivia’s love on Orsino’s behalf, Viola falls in love with Orsino herself. What ensues is a cross-dressing comedy rife with pain and triumph, humor and madness, transformation and redemption.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1602
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period
- Time & Place
- the imaginary kingdom of illyria, time unknown
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night; or, What You Will was probably written sometime between 1599 and 1601, and the first documented performance was on February 2, 1602, at Middle Temple Hall.
The feast of Twelfth Night, which occured each year on January 6th, traditionally marked the end of the Christmas season. It was a time of revelry when servants might take on the roles of masters and masters the roles of servants. Twelfth Night was a time for clowns, carnivals, and a suspension of
to read the context for Twelfth Night and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The scene opens in Illyria, at the palace of Duke Orsino, where the duke is listening to music. Duke Orsino is suffering in love for Lady Olivia, who refuses to requite his suit. He hopes the music will feed his love to the point where the love can’t grow any more and so it will die. His servant Curio suggests they go hunting, but the only thing the duke wants to hunt is Olivia’s heart. Duke Orsino’s other servant, Valentine, returns from his errand to Lady Olivia’s house and tells
to read the plot for Twelfth Night and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either or Both |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Farewell
A second self or different version of oneself.
In the Italian Renaissance, a form of popular theatre emerged where a professional troupe of actors that used colorful stock characters, improvised dialigue, and lazzi to create entertaining stories.
Referring to life in England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
Temperament, mood
A type of verse with ten syllables per line and syllables alternating between unstressed and stressed beats.
(verb) Pay attention to; (noun) a distinctive blemish or image worth noting
A work that is primarily a straight play, but incorporates music or musical elements to tell the story.
Please, I ask of you
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
The same stereotypical characters that usually appeared in every play.
A feeling or action that is not returned or reciprocated, such as love.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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