The Origins of Twelfth Night and Its Culinary Traditions
Twelfth Night, also known as What You Will, is a play written by the great William Shakespeare. It was first performed in 1601-1602, and has remained a timeless classic since then. This comedy of errors revolves around love, mistaken identity, and gender bending characters. It was first printed in the First Folio in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death.
The play is set in the mythical land of Illyria, and it tells the story of Viola, who washes up on its shores and, believing her twin brother has drowned, decides to disguise herself as a man in order to be able to serve Duke Orsino. Meanwhile, the Duke, who is in love with Olivia, sends Viola-Cesario as an emissary to deliver his love letters. However, Olivia falls in love with Viola, while Viola herself falls for the Duke. Hilarity, confusion, and miscommunication ensue, leading to a happy ending for everyone involved.
Twelfth Night was written near the end of the Elizabethan era, which was known to be a time of great creative output in the field of literature, music, and theater. As such, it was a time of great innovation and experimentation, with new styles and genres emerging all over the place.
In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare showcases his mastery of comic timing, witty puns, and melodic verse. It contains some of the most famous lines in English literature, such as “If music be the food of love, play on” and “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Twelfth Night Around the World
The Smithsonian Libraries has a wealth of resources that help us understand the context in which Twelfth Night was created, and its significance in world literature. For example, it has a copy of the First Folio of 1623, which contains the first printing of the play. It also has various annotated editions of the play, which allow us to see the different interpretations and adaptations that it has undergone over the years. Additionally, it has books on Elizabethan theatre, music, and literature, which give us a broader appreciation of the cultural milieu in which Shakespeare operated.
One interesting fact about Twelfth Night is that its original title refers to the traditional occasion of the Twelfth Night, which was an important holiday in the Tudor era. It was celebrated on January 5th, the twelfth day after Christmas, and marked the end of the Christmas season. It was a time of merrymaking, feasting, and revelry, with people dressing up in costumes and engaging in all sorts of shenanigans.
In conclusion, Twelfth Night is a masterpiece of English literature, and Shakespeare’s genius is apparent in every scene. It continues to delight audiences to this day, and its themes of identity, love, and gender fluidity are just as relevant now as they were in the Elizabethan era. The Smithsonian Libraries provide us with valuable insights into the context in which Shakespeare wrote, and how his work has influenced and been influenced by the world around him.
