What kind of play is Twelfth Night? This question has probably been raised by many readers of Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night and has moreover become a central aspect of discussion for numerous critics. It is thus not surprising to find several approaches of defining the tone, style or genre of the play in annotated editions, essays and study books. (cf. Cambridge School Shakespeare, Longman Study Texts) Although there are many ways of interpreting Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night I want to spotlight one distinctive perspective, as it somewhat resembles the initial platform for this essay.
“A very amusing and charming play, sunny and always enjoyable. Filled with innocent laughter and preposterous situations, it has a happy ending which restores harmony […]. All the characters are likeable and funny […] even Malvolio has his comic appeal, especially when he gets what he deserves at the play’s end. The whole play is simply a delightful entertainment which must never be taken seriously.” (Gibson 1993, 156)
Following this interpretation of Twelfth Night however, the reader will miss much of the content that lies behind the comic apparel. Twelfth Night is not always enjoyable, as it often manages to shift the attention from the light play of love and illusion towards the more serious and worrying fate of characters like Malvolio. At yet another point in his review Gibson offers a more suitable angle to Twelfth Night: “An upsetting play which seems light and amusing on the surface yet has dark and harsh depths. It is an uneasy play about outsiders who lose” (157). According to this quote, I argue that Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is more than just a pure comedy and even has tragic elements to it. Malvolio’s function is not simply to serve as the embodiment of a self-centred and self-loving man, who needs to be taught a lesson, but he is the victim of a cruel prank, which eventually leads to his collapse in person as well as in reputation.
Thus it will be the main focus of this paper to rethink Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as a play beyond comedy. It shall be discussed whether a classification as the one quoted earlier, grasps the whole meaning of the play or whether there are more layers to it – even underlying tragedies. With regard to David Willbern and his essay Malvolio’s Fall (1978) emphasis will be put on the character of Malvolio and the question, if there is anything like a tragic fall in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Comedy and Tragedy in Shakespeare and Twelfth Night
- 2.1. Shakespeare's Literary Work
- 2.2. Tragedy Versus Comedy
- 2.3. Twelfth Night
- 3. Malvolio's Fall?!
- 3.1. The Character of Malvolio
- 3.2. The Play Within the Play
- 3.3. Cruel Punishment
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper re-examines Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, challenging its typical classification as a pure comedy. The objective is to explore the play's tragic elements, focusing on Malvolio's fate and whether his experience constitutes a "tragic fall." This will involve analyzing Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies generally, and examining the character of Malvolio within the context of the entire play.
- The nature of comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's works.
- Malvolio's character and his role within the play's comedic structure.
- The interpretation of Malvolio's experiences as a tragic fall.
- The interplay of comedic and tragic elements in Twelfth Night.
- Shakespeare's social and cultural context and its influence on his work.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central argument of the paper: that Twelfth Night, while seemingly a comedy, contains significant tragic elements, particularly evident in Malvolio's downfall. The chapter contrasts differing interpretations of the play, highlighting those that emphasize the comedic aspects versus those that recognize its darker undertones. It lays the groundwork for a deeper analysis of Malvolio's character and the potential for tragedy within the play's narrative. The author introduces the focus on Malvolio's "tragic fall," drawing on David Willbern's essay and outlining the paper's structure and methodology. The chapter sets the stage for a nuanced examination of Twelfth Night, moving beyond simplistic genre classifications.
2. Comedy and Tragedy in Shakespeare and Twelfth Night: This chapter provides a foundational understanding of Shakespeare's work, categorizing his plays and examining the evolution of his style across his career. It specifically explores the distinctions between comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's oeuvre. The chapter analyzes the historical context of Shakespeare's writing, considering his education, social standing, and the cultural climate of Elizabethan England, and how these factors may have informed his work. The discussion serves to better contextualize Twelfth Night, enabling a more informed analysis of its genre and thematic complexities, preparing the reader for a deeper understanding of the play's nuances.
2.1. Shakespeare's Literary Work: This section delves into Shakespeare's life and career, examining his rise to prominence as a playwright. It highlights the lack of copyright protection during his time and how his works eventually gained recognition, culminating in the publication of the First Folio. It explores Shakespeare's education and the classical influences evident in his early plays, while also discussing the consistent themes of love, ambition, betrayal, and the human condition that recur across his works. The section lays the groundwork for understanding the cultural and historical context that shaped Shakespeare's writing, directly informing the analysis of Twelfth Night later in the paper.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, comedy, tragedy, Malvolio, tragic fall, Elizabethan era, genre, character analysis, dramatic irony, social commentary.
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: A Comprehensive Analysis - FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper re-examines Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, challenging its typical classification as a pure comedy. It explores the play's tragic elements, focusing on Malvolio's fate and whether his experience constitutes a "tragic fall." The analysis involves examining Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies generally and analyzing Malvolio's character within the context of the entire play.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the nature of comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's works; Malvolio's character and his role in the play's comedic structure; the interpretation of Malvolio's experiences as a tragic fall; the interplay of comedic and tragic elements in Twelfth Night; and Shakespeare's social and cultural context and its influence on his work.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction establishing the central argument; a chapter exploring comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's work and Twelfth Night specifically; a chapter focusing on Malvolio's "fall"; a conclusion; and a list of references. Within the second chapter, there's a further section dedicated to Shakespeare's literary work, career, and historical context.
What does the introduction chapter cover?
The introduction establishes the central argument that Twelfth Night, despite appearing as a comedy, contains significant tragic elements, particularly in Malvolio's downfall. It contrasts differing interpretations of the play and lays the groundwork for a deeper analysis of Malvolio's character and potential tragedy within the narrative. It outlines the paper's structure and methodology.
What is covered in the chapter on comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare?
This chapter provides a foundational understanding of Shakespeare's work, categorizing his plays and examining the evolution of his style. It explores the distinctions between comedy and tragedy in Shakespeare's oeuvre and analyzes the historical context of his writing, considering his education, social standing, and the Elizabethan cultural climate.
What is discussed in the section on Shakespeare's literary work?
This section delves into Shakespeare's life and career, examining his rise to prominence. It highlights the lack of copyright protection during his time and his works' eventual recognition. It explores Shakespeare's education and classical influences, discussing consistent themes of love, ambition, betrayal, and the human condition that recur in his works.
What are the key aspects of the chapter focusing on Malvolio's fall?
This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Malvolio's character, exploring his role within the play's comedic structure and examining whether his experiences constitute a "tragic fall." It likely analyzes the "play within a play" aspect and the cruel punishment Malvolio endures.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
The keywords include Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, comedy, tragedy, Malvolio, tragic fall, Elizabethan era, genre, character analysis, dramatic irony, and social commentary.
What is the overall objective of the analysis of Twelfth Night?
The objective is to provide a nuanced examination of Twelfth Night, moving beyond simplistic genre classifications and exploring the complex interplay of comedic and tragic elements within the play, particularly as manifested in Malvolio's experience.
- Quote paper
- Nadja Grebe (Author), 2012, Beyond Comedy - The Tragic Fall of Malvolio in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/205660