Is Twelfth Night a Comedy? Exploring the Layers of Shakespeare's Play and the Curious Case of the Singing Turnip

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is often categorized as one of his most beloved comedies, but is it truly a comedy? The play, with its intricate web of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and witty dialogue, certainly fits the mold of a traditional Shakespearean comedy. However, beneath its surface lies a complexity that challenges the very notion of what makes a comedy. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of Twelfth Night, exploring its comedic elements, its darker undertones, and the curious case of the singing turnip that somehow found its way into the narrative.

The Comedic Framework of Twelfth Night

At its core, Twelfth Night adheres to the conventions of Shakespearean comedy. The play is set in the fictional land of Illyria, a place where the normal rules of society are temporarily suspended, allowing for a world of chaos and confusion to reign. This setting is typical of Shakespeare’s comedies, where the characters often find themselves in a liminal space where the usual social hierarchies are upended.

The plot revolves around mistaken identities and romantic misadventures. Viola, the protagonist, disguises herself as a man named Cesario, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations. The love triangle between Viola, Orsino, and Olivia is a classic example of Shakespeare’s use of mistaken identity to create humor. The audience is privy to the truth, which adds to the comedic effect as they watch the characters navigate their way through the confusion.

The play also features a host of comedic characters, such as Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Malvolio. These characters provide much of the play’s humor through their exaggerated personalities and absurd behavior. Sir Toby’s drunken antics, Sir Andrew’s foolishness, and Malvolio’s self-importance all contribute to the play’s comedic tone.

The Darker Undertones

While Twelfth Night is undeniably a comedy, it also contains elements that hint at a darker, more complex narrative. The play’s title itself, Twelfth Night, refers to the Feast of Epiphany, a time of revelry and celebration, but also a time when the social order is temporarily inverted. This inversion is a key theme in the play, as characters like Malvolio, who represents the rigid social order, are humiliated and brought low.

Malvolio’s treatment in the play is particularly troubling. While his self-importance and pomposity make him a target for ridicule, the extent to which he is humiliated—locked in a dark room and driven to the brink of madness—raises questions about the nature of comedy and the limits of humor. Is it still comedy when the laughter comes at the expense of someone’s mental well-being?

The play also explores themes of unrequited love and the pain of longing. Orsino’s unrequited love for Olivia, Olivia’s unrequited love for Cesario (Viola in disguise), and Viola’s unrequited love for Orsino all highlight the bittersweet nature of love. These moments of longing and heartache add a layer of poignancy to the play, complicating its classification as a straightforward comedy.

The Curious Case of the Singing Turnip

In the midst of all this, there is the curious case of the singing turnip. While not a part of Shakespeare’s original text, the singing turnip has become a symbol of the play’s absurdity and the unpredictable nature of comedy. The turnip, a humble vegetable, is transformed into a source of entertainment, singing songs and providing comic relief. This bizarre addition to the narrative serves as a reminder that comedy often thrives on the unexpected and the absurd.

The singing turnip also serves as a metaphor for the play’s exploration of identity and transformation. Just as the turnip is transformed from a simple vegetable into a source of entertainment, the characters in Twelfth Night undergo transformations of their own. Viola’s transformation into Cesario, Malvolio’s transformation into a figure of ridicule, and even Olivia’s transformation from a grieving sister to a woman in love all highlight the fluidity of identity and the power of transformation.

Conclusion

So, is Twelfth Night a comedy? The answer is both yes and no. While the play contains all the hallmarks of a traditional Shakespearean comedy—mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and a host of comedic characters—it also delves into darker themes and explores the complexities of human emotion. The inclusion of the singing turnip, while not part of the original text, serves as a reminder of the play’s embrace of the absurd and the unexpected. Ultimately, Twelfth Night is a play that defies easy categorization, blending comedy with moments of poignancy and introspection to create a rich and multifaceted narrative.

Related Q&A

Q: Why is Twelfth Night considered a comedy?

A: Twelfth Night is considered a comedy because it follows the conventions of Shakespearean comedy, including mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and a happy ending. The play also features a host of comedic characters whose exaggerated personalities and absurd behavior contribute to the overall humor.

Q: What are some of the darker themes in Twelfth Night?

A: Some of the darker themes in Twelfth Night include the humiliation of Malvolio, the pain of unrequited love, and the temporary inversion of the social order. These elements add complexity to the play and challenge the notion that it is purely a comedy.

Q: What is the significance of the singing turnip in Twelfth Night?

A: The singing turnip, while not part of Shakespeare’s original text, has become a symbol of the play’s embrace of the absurd and the unexpected. It serves as a metaphor for the play’s exploration of identity and transformation, highlighting the fluidity of identity and the power of transformation.