Twelfth Night: Themes

Key Themes in Twelfth Night

1. Love as a Cause of Suffering
2. Gender and Identity
3. Ambition
4. Disguise and Deception
5. Madness and Chaos

1. Love as a Cause of Suffering

Love is the central theme of the play, but Shakespeare shows that it can bring pain as well as joy. Many characters experience unrequited or complicated love, leading to emotional turmoil.

Key examples:

6. Orsino's view of love: Orsino describes love as an "appetite" that he cannot satisfy, portraying it as a consuming and insatiable force (Act I, Scene i). His desires are likened to "fell and cruel hounds", suggesting love's relentless nature.
7. Olivia's description of love: Olivia calls love a "plague" that causes her great suffering (Act I, Scene v). This metaphor highlights the uncontrollable and destructive nature of love.

2. Gender and Identity

Shakespeare uses cross-dressing and mistaken identity to challenge traditional gender roles, creating humour and exploring fluidity in attraction and self-expression.

Key examples:

8. Viola's disguise: Viola's male persona, Cesario, leads to complex romantic entanglements. Olivia falls in love with Cesario, and Orsino shows a clear affection for Cesario, even before discovering Viola's true identity (Act I, Scene iv).
9. Antonio's love for Sebastian: Antonio's deep affection for Sebastian introduces themes of homoerotic love, as his devotion cannot find fulfilment within the social norms of the time.

3. Ambition

Social ambition is explored through Malvolio, whose desire to rise above his station leads to humiliation. The play critiques his arrogance while also reflecting on the rigid class system of the time.

Key examples:

10. Malvolio's aspirations: Malvolio's belief that Olivia loves him stems from his ambition to cross class boundaries. His fantasies of power and wealth, including his imagined control over Sir Toby, make him a target of ridicule (Act II, Scene v).
11. Maria's marriage to Sir Toby: Maria achieves upward mobility by marrying Sir Toby, contrasting with Malvolio's failure and showing how ambition can succeed through cunning and adaptability.

4. Disguise and Deception

Disguises drive much of the play's plot, creating humour and dramatic irony. They also allow characters to explore freedoms they would not otherwise have in their true identities.

Key examples:

12. Viola's concealment: Viola's decision to hide her identity as a woman allows her to navigate Illyria more safely. However, it causes misunderstandings, as Olivia falls in love with Cesario, and Orsino unknowingly expresses affection for Viola (Act II, Scene ii).
13. The trick on Malvolio: Maria's forged letter deceives Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him, leading to his humiliation and eventual isolation (Act III, Scene iv).

5. Madness and Chaos

The play's comedic tone often leans into chaos, as characters are pushed to the brink of madness by love, deception, or ambition.

Key examples:

14. Malvolio's descent into "madness": Malvolio's behaviour after reading the letter—dressing in yellow stockings and smiling excessively—leads others to believe he has gone mad, symbolising the extremes of self-delusion (Act III, Scene iv).
15. Mistaken identity with Viola and Sebastian: The confusion between Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, adds to the chaos, leading to absurd confrontations and misunderstandings (Act IV, Scene i).