William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as Cesario) falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man.

The play expanded on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of the occasion, with plot elements drawn from the short story "Of Apollonius and Silla" by Barnabe Rich, based on a story by Matteo Bandello. The first recorded public performance was on 2 February 1602, at Candlemas, the formal end of Christmastide in the year's calendar. The play was not published until its inclusion in the 1623 First Folio.

Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and she comes ashore with the help of a Captain. She has lost contact with her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be drowned, and with the aid of the Captain, she disguises herself as a young man under the name Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Duke Orsino has convinced himself that he is in love with Olivia, who is mourning the recent deaths of her father and brother. She refuses to see entertainments, be in the company of men, or accept love or marriage proposals from anyone, the Duke included, until seven years have passed. Duke Orsino then uses 'Cesario' as an intermediary to profess his passionate love before Olivia. Olivia, however, falls in love with 'Cesario', setting her at odds with her professed duty. In the meantime, Viola has fallen in love with the Duke Orsino, creating a love triangle: Viola loves Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario.

In the comic subplot, several characters conspire to make Olivia's pompous steward, Malvolio, believe that Olivia has fallen for him. This involves Olivia's riotous uncle, Sir Toby Belch; another would-be suitor, a silly squire named Sir Andrew Aguecheek; her servants Maria and Fabian; and her melancholy fool, Feste. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew engage themselves in drinking and revelry, thus disturbing the peace of Olivia's household until late into the night, prompting Malvolio to chastise them. Sir Toby famously retorts, "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" (Act II, Scene III).

Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria plan revenge on Malvolio. They convince Malvolio that Olivia is secretly in love with him by planting a love letter, written by Maria in Olivia's handwriting. It asks Malvolio to wear yellow stockings cross-gartered, to be rude to the rest of the servants, and to smile constantly in the presence of Olivia. Malvolio finds the letter and reacts in surprised delight. He starts acting out the contents of the letter to show Olivia his positive response. Olivia is shocked by the changes in Malvolio and agreeing that he seems mad, leaves him to be cared for by his tormentors. Pretending that Malvolio is insane, they lock him up in a dark chamber. Feste visits him to mock his insanity, both disguised as a priest and as himself.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: iOnlineShopping.com
• Erscheinungstermin: 11. Mai 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9788834109021
• Artikelnr.: 56548387

Autorenporträt

William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest writer in the English language, was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and local official, and Mary Arden, of notable heritage. Shakespeare likely attended the local grammar school, where he developed a strong foundation in Latin and classical literature. At 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children. By the early 1590s, he had moved to London, becoming an actor, playwright, and a key member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men.Shakespeare's enduring fame is built on a remarkable body of work comprising 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and narrative poems. His plays, categorized into tragedies, comedies, and histories, showcase his mastery of language and deep understanding of human nature. Iconic tragedies like Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear explore themes of ambition, betrayal, and morality. Comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night offer humor and insights into love and identity, while histories like Henry V and Richard III reflect on power and leadership. Around 1613, Shakespeare retired to Stratford, where he lived until his death on April 23, 1616, traditionally thought to be his birthday. His works have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare's profound influence on literature, language, and culture endures, cementing his legacy as one of history's most significant writers. His works continue to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences worldwide.

Bild: Wikipedia