Twelfth Night was written by William Shakespeare around 1601-1602. It is a comedy about romantic love that was written for the Christian festival of Twelfth Night, which takes place on the last night of the twelve days of Christmas. The play is also known as "What You Will". It is set in the fictional Illyria and follows the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. The play is full of mistaken identities and romantic mix-ups, which set up much of the humour as well as moments of reflection. This comedy by William Shakespeare reflects the social norms, gender roles, and festive traditions of the Elizabethan era. Many of the themes it explores remain relevant today.
This article will explore Twelfth Night themes to deepen understanding of the plot and characters, such as the theme of love. It is suitable for GCSE English Literature students revising for their exams. If you need further support, TeachTutti has top GCSE English Literature tutors who can teach you in person or online and will tailor lessons to your specific needs.
Love and desire
Love drives the actions of every character throughout the play. The type of love varies, from true love to infatuation and self-serving. Duke Orsino has convinced himself of his love for Olivia. She is recently widowed and refuses to be in the presence of men or be proposed to until seven years have passed. However, the language in his famous line that opens the play is exaggerated and poetic, suggesting he is in love with the idea of love more than Olivia herself:
"If music be the food of love, play on" (Act 1, Scene 1)
After the shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as the young man Cesario. She enters the service of Orsino and falls in love with him. Viola's love for Orsino is quieter and more genuine. She can't reveal her feelings, but her unwavering loyalty and service show her feelings. This contrasts with Orsini's overt, dramatic passion:
"Yet a barful strife! Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife" (Act 1, Scene 4)
Olivia falls in love with "Cesario" the moment they meet. In truth, Olivia loves Viola, who is disguised as Cesario. The audience is aware of this mix-up, and her sudden infatuation drives much of the play's comedy:
"Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide" (Act 3, Scene 1)
Malvolio is Olivia's steward, and his affection for her adds another layer to these relationships. Several characters try to make Malvolio believe Olivia has fallen for him, including Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Maria, Fabian and Feste. Malvolio's feelings are rooted in ambition, which is shown when he imagines giving orders as her husband:
"Calling my officers about me… telling them I know my place" (Act 2, Scene 5)
Disguise and identity
Disguise and mistaken identity are seen throughout the play and drive much of the comedy, as the audience is in on the joke. Viola decides to disguise herself as Cesario when she is shipwrecked with her twin Sebastian, who she believes has drowned. She explains that her false identity will give her access to Orsino's court. However, it also traps her in a love triangle, as she loves Orsini, Orsini loves Olivia, and Olivia loves "Cesario":
"Conceal me what I am, and be my aid for such disguise as haply shall become" (Act 1, Scene 2)
Disguise is used in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to blur gender boundaries. This would have been more striking in his own time, as all female roles were played by men. Viola would have been played by a man, who in turn is a woman pretending to be a man, creating a layered joke for original theatre-goers.
As her twin brother, Sebastian, is constantly confused for Cesario. This leads to proposing to the wrong Sebastian rather than "Cesario". The confusion peaks with Sebastian's outburst below, showing his bewilderment at the events he has been drawn into:
"Are all the people mad?" (Act 4, Scene 1)
The theme of disguise and identity also extends to social class. Malvolio imagines himself marrying Olivia, so he can be a nobleman rather than a steward. For example, when he imagines himself talking with Sir Toby as Olivia's husband:
"Having been three months married to her, sitting in my state…" (Act 2, Scene 5)
Ambition and social status
Shakespeare portrays ambition as being both foolish and self-deceptive. The clearest example of ambition is Malvolio, Olivia's steward. He wants to rise above his social standing by marrying her, which would make him a nobleman. This desire is shown when he fantasises about giving orders in the quote below. This is after receiving a love letter forged by Olivia's servant Maria, which asks him to wear clothes Olivia detests and be rude to the servants. Malvolio's ambition blinds him from reality, and Olivia believes he is mad:
"Calling my officers about me… telling them I know my place" (Act 2, Scene 5)
This aspiration to climb the social ladder was true of Elizabethan England. Society was rigid, but working in a wealthy household offered the potential to rise in your standing. Ultimately, Malvolio fails in his aspirations and stalks off. Shakespeare uses his fate to suggest that ambition without self-awareness leads to humiliation:
"I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you" (Act 5, Scene 1)
Ambition is also displayed subtly in the play. While Orsino’s pursuit of Olivia is about love, it is also linked to pride and an ambition to "win" her. It reflects the powerful duke's expectation that he should be able to get what he desires. Sir Toby uses his ability to use his charm and scheming to manipulate events, helping to trick Malvolio. Meanwhile, Maria rises above her station by marrying Sir Toby, which grants her status and security.
Foolishness and festivity
While it is the name of the play, the Twelfth Night is also a festival set on the last day of the twelve days of Christmas. It is also known as Epiphany Eve and marks the coming of the Epiphany. It's a time of celebration, and Shakespeare uses this festivity to encourage mischief, humour, and the flouting of social rules. In the world of Illyria, this involves role reversals, feasts and plentiful chaos.
The most obvious example of foolishness is Malvolio. He is the butt of the cruel letter and gullibly accepts the content without question. It is hilarious when he takes the nonsensical instructions so seriously and wears "yellow stockings, cross-gartered", which he believes will win Olivia's heart:
"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" (Act 2, Scene 5)
Feste is Olivia's professional fool. Despite his profession, he is wise and perceptive. He displays a sharp wit that lets him comment on the flaws of other characters. For example, when he comments on Olivia's love for Cesario, he blurs the line between entertainment and truth-telling under the guise of the festivities:
"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit" (Act 1, Scene 5)
Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek engage in revelry with drinking, singing and pranks. They defy Malvolio's strictness amid the festivities, symbolising the playful nature of Shakespeare's play and the celebration of indulgence over restraint:
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" (Act 2, Scene 3)
Final thoughts - Key themes in Twelfth Night
In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare blends romance, comedy, and social commentary into a festive world where nothing is quite as it seems. The play’s exploration of love and desire reveals how passion can be sincere, impulsive, or self-serving. Disguise and mistaken identity highlight the fluid nature of identity and challenge gender expectations, while ambition and social status show the dangers of pride and self-deception. The foolishness and festivity of Illyria provide some of the best moments of comic relief as well as sharp insight.
For further reading, you can read Wikipedia's article about the twelfth night holiday. You can also read about the historical background to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night by Bell Shakespeare.
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