When was Twelfth Night written by William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night around the year 1601. The play was likely created as a specific entertainment for the close of the Christmas season.
Questions about Twelfth Night
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the significance of the date the 2nd of February 1602 in relation to Twelfth Night?
A law student named John Manningham recorded a performance at Middle Temple Hall on the 2nd of February 1602. This date marked Candlemas and the formal end of the Christmastide season in the Christian calendar.
Who are the main characters involved in the love triangle in Twelfth Night?
Viola disguises herself as Cesario to serve Duke Orsino while falling in love with him. Countess Olivia falls in love with Cesario creating a complex love triangle involving Viola, Orsino, and Olivia.
Which Italian sources influenced the plot of Twelfth Night?
The text draws heavily from Barnabe Rich's short story Of Apollonius and Silla which derives from an earlier tale by Matteo Bandello. Another influence is the Italian production Gl'ingannati written by the Accademia degli Intronati in 1531.
When did the earliest public performance of Twelfth Night take place?
The earliest public performance took place at Middle Temple Hall on the 2nd of February 1902. The lawyer John Manningham wrote in his diary about enjoying the Malvolio story most of all.