When was twelfth night

This date marked the eve of Candlemas, a Christian festival marking the day the infant Jesus was presented to the God in the Temple at Jerusalem. As well as singing Christmas carols and attending church, Twelfth Night also has a traditional association with feasting and merriment. During the age of William Shakespeare, this would have meant a decidedly heady occasion of music, masked balls and misrule. It was in this context that he wrote his famous play Twelfth Night or What You Will , with the raucous comedy of twins Viola and Sebastian intended as fitting entertainment to close the Christmas season.

The first record of its performance comes from Candlemas of to bring down the curtain on Tudor festive celebrations, but some believe it was staged on Twelfth Night itself the year before. Log In. Contact us Sign up for newsletters. Malvolio does as the letter suggests, and Olivia thinks he has gone mad, so has him locked up.

Viola's brother, Sebastian, who believes his sister is dead, arrives with his friend and protector, Antonio, who rescued him from the shipwreck. Lots of confusion follows around the mistaken identity of Sebastian and Cesario, and exactly who is promised to whom.

Eventually all is revealed, the brother and sister are reunited and the love triangle is resolved into two couples, Sebastian and Olivia, and Viola and Orsino. Finally, Viola discovers the trick that has been played on Malvolio, and he's released from confinement. Mistaken identity and role reversal are key to this popular comedy, influenced by the traditional themes of end of Christmas celebrations.

Information and resources for teachers and learners on Twelfth Night. Find out about our past productions from to Christopher Luscombe's version of Twelfth Night. Studying Twelfth Night? A love triangle Orsino is in love with Olivia, but she's mourning for her dead brother, so has rejected all his advances so far. Sebastian returns Viola's brother, Sebastian, who believes his sister is dead, arrives with his friend and protector, Antonio, who rescued him from the shipwreck.

They wake up Maria, Malvolio then arrives and orders them to be quiet. Sir Toby is offended. When Malvolio leaves, Maria promises they can get their own back by making him think that Olivia loves him. Key Scene. Photo by Mark Douet. Orsino talks to 'Cesario' about love and, while in disguise, Viola describes her own feelings. It becomes clear that Viola is talking about her love for Orsino, but Orsino assumes 'Cesario' is talking about a woman.

Orsino tells 'Cesario' to go to Olivia again. Investigate how Cesario intrigues Orsino. Investigate the gulling of Malvolio. View Act 2 Scene-by-scene breakdown. Act 3 Key Scene. Photo by Angus McBean. Investigate how Viola rejects Olivia. Sir Andrew tries to leave. Sir Toby and another servant Fabian have fun convincing him that Olivia wants to make him jealous and he agrees to challenge 'Cesario' to a duel. Maria then arrives to tell them Malvolio is about to go to Olivia wearing yellow stockings, a colour she hates.

Sebastian and Antonio arrive. Antonio confesses that he is a wanted man in this town. Malvolio smiles at Olivia. Olivia sends for Malvolio and is very confused to see him dressed in yellow stockings and smiling. Sir Andrew challenges 'Cesario'. Antonio is arrested. Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Antonio tries to stop them, thinking he is defending Sebastian. Just then, officers arrive to arrest Antonio for his past crimes against Orsino.

View Act 3 scene-by-scene breakdown. Act 4 Sebastian meets Olivia. Sir Andrew strikes him and Sebastian strikes back, thinking everyone is mad. He almost gets into a sword fight with Sir Toby but Olivia interrupts them. Sebastian happily follows Olivia. Sir Topas visits Malvolio. Keeping up the pretence that Malvolio has gone mad and is possessed by devils, Maria and Sir Toby have locked Malvolio in a dark room.

They get Feste to visit him, first in disguise as a priest called Sir Topas and then as himself.