Twelfth Night as a Romantic Comedy

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Introduction:
William Shakespeare is a great playwright. Twelfth Night is one of his best romantic comedies, similar to The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It. It is a lighthearted play with both romance and comedy, ending happily.

Happiness through Marriage:
Like other romantic comedies by Shakespeare, Twelfth Night is about love leading to marriage. Most of the characters are in love. In the final act, everyone finds happiness—Duke Orsino marries Viola, Olivia marries Sebastian, and Sir Toby marries Maria. The play ends with joyful wedding celebrations.

Strong Female Characters:
Women play an important role in Shakespeare's comedies. In Twelfth Night, the story revolves around two women, Viola and Olivia. The male characters gain significance because of them, just like in As You Like It, where Rosalind and Celia take the lead.

Fun and Laughter:
The play is full of humor and joy. Duke Orsino loves Olivia, but Olivia falls for Viola, who is disguised as a boy. This love triangle creates an amusing and romantic story.

A Happy Ending:
In the final act, Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, arrives. His presence solves all the confusion, and everyone finds happiness. This joyful ending makes Twelfth Night a delightful romantic comedy.

Mix of Reality and Imagination:
Shakespeare blends reality with imagination. The setting, characters, and story feel magical. Comic characters like Feste, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Malvolio add humor, making the play even more entertaining.

Music and Songs:
Music plays a key role in the play. The songs create a romantic and joyful atmosphere, making Twelfth Night even more charming.

Conclusion:
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most joyful and romantic comedies. Dowden rightly called it "joyous, refined, and romantic."


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