MovieChat Forums > Twelfth Night (1980) Discussion > The context of Twelfth Night

The context of Twelfth Night

posted 21 years ago by rteirney
3 replies | jump to latest

"One of the many festivals that used to brighten the dark winter months. Christian holidays and the veneration of saints were opportunities in bygone generations for raucous get-togethers, accompanied by overindulgence in food and drink."

Twelfth Night occurred on the twelfth day of Christmas, ie in the dark winter in the northern hemisphere.

This link http://www.novareinna.com/festive/twelfth.html explains it was also known as the "Feast of Fools".

Can you see how the traditions come out in the play Shakespeare wrote? Please explain.

[–] bluebook 21 years ago

There are various ways we see the traditions of the "Feast of Fools" come out in the play. While the main plot of Viola/Cesario and the various love aspects, there is also a subplot. Maria, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew all conspire to make Malvolio look a fool in front of Olivia. There trickery and mischief is common to the festival twelfth night, as they revel and generally do what they may not have normally.

[–] kirky-magurky 21 years ago

The main tradition which was shown in the play was the excessive drinking of alcohol. Also the festive atmostphere between the house guests and maid. Everyone in the play was dressing up for the occasion.

[–] Kez-98 21 years ago

I would have to agree that drinking, including the drinking songs, the light hearteness of the house guests and the many games or tricks that are played on all, demistrate the atmosphere that whould be expected on or around this season.