Twelfth Night: Character Studies

The characters of Twelfth Night are both memorable and engaging and it is through their funny and at times bitter, interplay that we experience the peculiar world of Shakespeare's Illyria. This study begins with a introduction to the concept of 'characters' on the early-modern stage before proceeding to a textual analysis of each of the main characters in the play, looking at how what they say and do, and what is said about them, creates the illusion of 'character' Each chapter also contains a brief account of key performances by actors on stage and in film. The guide includes: an introductory overview of the text, including a brief discussion of the background to the play including its publishing and reception history; an overview of the narrative structure; chapters discussing in detail the representation of the key characters including Viola, Malvolio, Orsino and Feste; a conclusion reminding students of the links between the characters and the key themes and issues and a guide to further reading.