Discovering the History of Twelfth Night at The Smithsonian Libraries
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a play that has captivated audiences for decades with its wit, humor, and complex characters. The play was likely written in the early 1600s, and it has since been performed countless times across the globe.
One of the most interesting aspects of Twelfth Night is its exploration of gender roles and identity. The play features a young woman named Viola who disguises herself as a man in order to enter the service of Duke Orsino. Viola, now going by the name Cesario, becomes a messenger between Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Olivia, unaware of Cesario’s true identity, develops feelings for her messenger.
The play also features a character named Malvolio, who is Olivia’s steward. Malvolio is uptight and serious, and he becomes the target of a cruel prank orchestrated by Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and his friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek. They convince Malvolio that Olivia is in love with him, and he begins to behave in a ridiculous and embarrassing manner.
Twelfth Night’s exploration of gender and identity was ahead of its time, and it continues to resonate with audiences today. The play has been adapted into various forms of media, including films, television shows, and musicals.
To fully appreciate Twelfth Night and Shakespeare’s other works, it’s important to understand the historical and cultural context in which they were written. The Smithsonian Libraries has a vast collection of resources that can help with this endeavor.
One such resource is The World’s Best Books: A Key to the Treasures of Literature by Frank Parsons. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the world’s greatest works of literature, including Shakespeare’s plays. It offers valuable insight into the historical and cultural context of Twelfth Night and other works of literature.
How Twelfth Night Has Evolved Over Time: A Look at Adaptations and Performance Traditions
Another valuable resource is The Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare edited by Stanley Wells and Sarah Stanton. This book features essays written by experts on various aspects of Shakespeare’s life and works. It provides a wealth of information on the historical and literary context of Twelfth Night, as well as critical analyses of the play and its themes.
The Smithsonian Libraries’ collection also includes rare and unique editions of Shakespeare’s works. One such edition is a 1623 folio of Shakespeare’s plays, known as the First Folio. This rare book is one of only a handful of surviving copies, and it contains the complete texts of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, including Twelfth Night.
By utilizing these resources and others like them, we can gain a deeper understanding of Twelfth Night and Shakespeare’s other works. We can appreciate the historical and cultural context in which these plays were written and explore the complex themes and ideas they explore.
In conclusion, Twelfth Night is a timeless play that continues to captivate audiences today. Its exploration of gender roles and identity was ahead of its time, and it remains relevant today. To fully appreciate this play and Shakespeare’s other works, it’s important to understand the historical and cultural context in which they were written. The Smithsonian Libraries offers a wealth of resources that can help us do just that.