How did Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night impact holiday celebrations in the 16th century?
Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany Eve, was a festive occasion that marked the end of the twelve days of Christmas, which began on December 25th. During Shakespeare’s time, Twelfth Night was a popular holiday celebrated throughout England with lavish banquets, gift-giving, and elaborate plays. The Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, was known for his love of this holiday and frequently incorporated Twelfth Night into his plays.
One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays related to Twelfth Night is, unsurprisingly, the comedy “Twelfth Night.” The play follows a range of characters including Viola, Duke Orsino and Olivia as they wade through the chaos caused by mistaken identity and unexpected love affairs. The play premiered on Twelfth Night in 1602, and from that day forward, became one of Shakespeare’s most beloved creations.
Shakespeare’s connection to Twelfth Night after this performance was inevitable. The allusive hallmarks of the play such as crossdressing, highly-stylized language and the kissing-game of “pas d’armes” helped popularize this form of entertainment as an integral part of the Twelfth Night festivities.
The Twelfth Night party was notorious for its grandeur and extravagance. Ranging from grand banquets with roasted meats to gift-giving as a way of demonstrating goodwill, the festivities were highly anticipated throughout the country. Such events required the participation of the entire community, whether they were wealthy or not. In most cases, the favors distributed were made with such finesse and creativity that even the least influential could offer tokens of meaning.
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The Twelfth Night revels were also known for their lavish plays, performances, and entertainments. These plays were often lengthy melodramas, featuring a variety of special effects, vulgar humor, and grotesque characters. Shakespeare viewed this as an opportunity to display his famous dramatic flair, and he penned several of his famous plays tailor-made for the occasion.
Moreover, Shakespeare used Twelfth Night to explore important social and political issues of the time, such as gender and social status. The characters in his plays were often transgressive and unconventional figures, such as the cross-dressing Viola in “Twelfth Night.” Such characters not only challenged the social norms of their day but also inspired discussion and debate among audiences.
In conclusion, Shakespeare’s influence on Twelfth Night is undeniable. His plays and ideas helped shape the holiday’s festivities, and his works continue to be performed and enjoyed at Twelfth Night celebrations to this day. Whether it was through his plays or his subversion of traditional gender roles, Shakespeare’s presence was felt during this joyful celebration. So, it can be agreed that Twelfth Night remains an important holiday both in the theatrical world as well as the English-speaking world’s cultural identity, and a testament to the enduring legacy of William Shakepeare.