The Depiction of Gender Roles and Challenges in "Twelfth Night"
In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" the play had the theme of gender roles is a prominent one. The play explores the idea of gender identity, challenges traditional societal norms and gender roles. The "Twelfth Night" play is the theme for this essay which explores how Shakespear depicts gender roles and challenges in this work.
"Twelfth Night" is a romantic comedy play written by William Shakespeare around the year 1601. The play is believed to have been written for the celebration of the twelfth night of Christmas, a festive occasion marked by revelry and merrymaking. The play tells the story of Viola, a young woman who is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, in a shipwreck. Disguising herself as a man named Cesario, she enters the service of Duke Orsino and falls in love with him, while the Duke is in love with the Countess Olivia. The play is full of mistaken identities, love triangles, and comical misunderstandings.
"Twelfth Night" is a quintessential example of Shakespearean comedy, with its witty wordplay, slapstick humor, and light-hearted tone. It also explores themes of love, desire, gender roles, and social hierarchy. The play challenges traditional gender roles by having Viola disguise herself as a man and assume a male identity in order to navigate a world that is dominated by men. In doing so, she challenges the rigid social norms of the time and questions the very concept of gender identity.
The play also deals with themes of love and desire, with characters such as Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia falling in love with the wrong people, and Viola/Cesario caught between her love for Orsino and her duty to serve him. The play also explores the theme of social hierarchy, with characters such as the haughty Malvolio and the drunken Sir Toby Belch occupying different positions in the social order.
Gender Roles in "Twelfth Night"
Viola, the main character, is a young woman who disguises herself as a man named Cesario. In doing so, she challenges gender roles by assuming a traditionally masculine identity. Her ability to successfully pass as a man highlights the fluidity of gender roles and the limitations of societal expectations.
Similarly, the character of Olivia challenges traditional gender roles. She is a wealthy and powerful woman who refuses to conform to society's expectations of her. Instead, she chooses to assert her own independence and makes her own decisions.
The play also features several male characters who display femininity and emotional vulnerability. For example, the character of Orsino is portrayed as lovesick and emotional, traits that are traditionally associated with femininity. The character of Sir Andrew, on the other hand, is portrayed as effeminate and weak, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.
Overall, "Twelfth Night" presents a complex and nuanced exploration of gender roles. It challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, and highlights the limitations of societal expectations.
