TWELFTH NIGHT
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Consider "Twelfth Night " as a
Festive Comedy
--by Shiladitya Chakraborty
Shakespeare's middle comedies like "MUCH ADO ABOUT
NOTHING " , " AS YOU LIKE IT " have already received various
appealations : ' SUNNY COMEDIES ' , ' HAPPY COMEDIES ' ,
'MERRY COMEDIES ' , 'GAY COMEDIES ' . In "TWELFTH
NIGHT " a mood of delightful festivity predominates the play
from the very begining to the end . All these designations
emphasize the general atmosphere of gaiety and festivity .
C.L. Barber explains the term "FESTIVE COMEDY " in a special
way and explores the distinctive structure of comedies . In
earlier comediesthe Sun illumines the land with dazzling
1
, briliance but in "TWELFTH NIGHT " the brightness deems , not
alarmingly , but sufficient enough to invest gay world with a
tinge of sadness to expose the larger vision of life.
"FESTIVE" is usually an adjective for an atmosphere and the
world itself describes the pompous atmosphere of
Shakespearean comedy . But in exploring this particular play of
Shakespeare , "FESTIVE" can also be a term for the structure of
the play . C.L. Barber explains the strructure of these comedies
as " THE SATURNALIAN PATTERN " . The Saturnalian Pattern
can be related to the holiday motifs and its sources were
chiefly theatrical performances and observance of carnival
occasions. The play title "TWELFTH NIGHT , OR WHAT YOU
WILL " gives rise to a good deal of critical controversy . C.L.
Barber thinks that the play's title may not have any specific
connections with the christmas celebration , but it definitely
underscores the festive elements of the play . The social rituals
provide a kind of release from the work-a-day world through
freedom of holiday and finally it leads us to the greater
awareness of our roles in society .
In ACT 1 SCENE 3 , We , at once , encounter a different world
where Sir Toby Belch rules as the "LORD OF MISRULE " . Like a
true epicurean Sir Toby Belch intends to enjoy life intensely ;
So he takes pleasure in eating , drinking and merry making . Sir
Toby Belch's way of enjoying life exemplify the festive spirit of
2
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Consider "Twelfth Night " as a
Festive Comedy
--by Shiladitya Chakraborty
Shakespeare's middle comedies like "MUCH ADO ABOUT
NOTHING " , " AS YOU LIKE IT " have already received various
appealations : ' SUNNY COMEDIES ' , ' HAPPY COMEDIES ' ,
'MERRY COMEDIES ' , 'GAY COMEDIES ' . In "TWELFTH
NIGHT " a mood of delightful festivity predominates the play
from the very begining to the end . All these designations
emphasize the general atmosphere of gaiety and festivity .
C.L. Barber explains the term "FESTIVE COMEDY " in a special
way and explores the distinctive structure of comedies . In
earlier comediesthe Sun illumines the land with dazzling
1
, briliance but in "TWELFTH NIGHT " the brightness deems , not
alarmingly , but sufficient enough to invest gay world with a
tinge of sadness to expose the larger vision of life.
"FESTIVE" is usually an adjective for an atmosphere and the
world itself describes the pompous atmosphere of
Shakespearean comedy . But in exploring this particular play of
Shakespeare , "FESTIVE" can also be a term for the structure of
the play . C.L. Barber explains the strructure of these comedies
as " THE SATURNALIAN PATTERN " . The Saturnalian Pattern
can be related to the holiday motifs and its sources were
chiefly theatrical performances and observance of carnival
occasions. The play title "TWELFTH NIGHT , OR WHAT YOU
WILL " gives rise to a good deal of critical controversy . C.L.
Barber thinks that the play's title may not have any specific
connections with the christmas celebration , but it definitely
underscores the festive elements of the play . The social rituals
provide a kind of release from the work-a-day world through
freedom of holiday and finally it leads us to the greater
awareness of our roles in society .
In ACT 1 SCENE 3 , We , at once , encounter a different world
where Sir Toby Belch rules as the "LORD OF MISRULE " . Like a
true epicurean Sir Toby Belch intends to enjoy life intensely ;
So he takes pleasure in eating , drinking and merry making . Sir
Toby Belch's way of enjoying life exemplify the festive spirit of
2
