Twelfth Night
Synopsis
When twins Viola and Sebastian are separated in a cataclysmic shipwreck, both are led to believe that the other has drowned. While Sebastian wanders off with his savior, Viola finds employment as a servant for Duke Orsino in the fictional setting of Illyria. Orsino pulls Viola into a plan of deception in which she must disguise herself as a pageboy and help him woo prospective wife Olivia. She agrees and takes on the persona of Cesario, but unexpectedly, Olivia takes a liking to her false identity instead. From then on, the story devolves into a whirlwind of mounting chaos and blurred lines between gender. The other characters, namely the servants under Olivia also get wrapped up in some manipulative situations, showing how one small act can spin completely out of control and the distinction between true love and coersion.
Review
Shakespeare can seem intimidating, but this was very readable. This iconic comedy shows a great range in characters and I appreciated how the women, servants, and aristocrats were granted equal attention and influence in the plot progression. The gender-bending and queerness that is so integrated into the plot adds another layer to the story that makes the reader question Shakespeare's intentions when he first conceptualised it. Was he trying to commentate on gay relationships or use these themes for the purpose of comedy? How much of the piece was a reflection of the times it was written and how did it coincide with or defy social constructs? This story is full of Shakespearean themes—love triangles, disguise, revenge and fate—all characteristics of why his work so riveting.