Twelfth Night Or, What You Will - A Deep Dive Review

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Author)

Updated at: 21/01/2025

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will is a vibrant comedy of errors brimming with mistaken identities and romantic entanglements. The play follows Viola, shipwrecked and disguised as a man named Cesario, as she enters the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino. Orsino's affections are aimed at the aloof Lady Olivia, who, ironically, falls for Cesario. This sets off a chain of hilarious misunderstandings further complicated by a subplot involving the pompous Malvolio. Filled with witty dialogue, memorable characters, and surprising twists, Twelfth Night explores themes of love, deception, and the chaotic joys of life, culminating in a celebratory resolution of tangled relationships.

4.2 / 38 ratings

Review Twelfth Night Or, What You Will

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a delightful romp! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this particular edition, mostly thanks to the helpful annotations. Honestly, tackling Shakespeare can sometimes feel like navigating a dense forest without a map, but the footnotes in this version really cleared the path. They explained Elizabethan slang, customs, and even obscure references with such clarity that even someone like me, not a Shakespeare scholar by any stretch, could easily follow the plot and appreciate the wordplay. The play itself is a masterclass in comedic timing and mistaken identities; the tangled web of love woven between Viola, Orsino, and Olivia is endlessly entertaining. Viola's disguise as Cesario is brilliantly conceived, creating so much potential for hilarious misunderstandings.

I found myself completely engrossed in the characters. Orsino's dramatic pronouncements of love felt almost comical in their excess, yet strangely endearing. Olivia, initially portrayed as a stubborn and seemingly unapproachable woman, reveals a surprising vulnerability and depth of feeling as the play progresses. And while some readers (as I've seen in the reviews) felt sympathy for Olivia's eventual pairing with Sebastian, I found their relationship to be a satisfying, if somewhat abrupt, resolution. The contrast between Sebastian’s straightforwardness and Orsino’s theatricality makes for an interesting comparison of masculinity in the play.

The subplot involving Malvolio, the pompous steward, is pure genius. His humiliation at the hands of the pranksters is both funny and, admittedly, a little uncomfortable. It's a darker thread running through the otherwise lighthearted comedy, offering a glimpse into the social dynamics and power imbalances of the time. The overall tone shifts so effortlessly between slapstick humor and moments of genuine emotion; it’s a testament to Shakespeare’s skill as a writer.

The convenience of reading this on my Kindle, with definitions readily available at my fingertips, was a game-changer. It made the whole experience much more accessible and enjoyable. While some editions might cut corners, this one felt thoughtfully compiled. I understand that there are more scholarly editions available, and those might be preferable for serious Shakespearean studies, but for a casual reader seeking a fun and engaging experience, this version hit the sweet spot. It allowed me to appreciate the brilliance of the play itself without getting bogged down in overly complex scholarly interpretations. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a witty, charming, and surprisingly insightful comedy.