We start 12th Night with an EVENT. As you remember, an event is a uniquely significant moment in a character's life. Viola has been shipwrecked in a strange, new land. Orsino, who loves Olivia, is turned away from her house and so he is obsessed with her. Olivia is in mourning and will not accept Orsino's attempts to woo her. The overly proud Malvolio is so disliked by his fellow servants that they decide to play a trick on him to bring him down a peg or two. These events are what drive the plot of the play. EVENTS, then, are essential to a play. The longer the play, the more events needed. The shorter the play, the fewer needed.
You will also note that Shakespeare attempts to follow the typical advice from Aristotle. All plays need interesting characters. There are many of these in this play. Each major character has an importance to the plot. They are involved in the action. They have desires and wants and needs that they attempt to achieve. Along with plot (with its episodic nature: each scene advances or complicates the plot), Shakespeare includes spectacle and music to his play. The songs enhance the audience's enjoyment. This play centers around a celebration (12th Night) and, as such, the characters enjoy the very real and human aspects of celebration: drink, dance, song. As for language, Shakespeare excels at his poetic turns of phrase. Some of the language is absolutely beautiful and poetic. Some of the language is silly banter or witty repartee. Finally, there is plot. As we read and watch today, consider what Shakespeare is attempting to say about the basic themes of love and life.
Act II, Scene III
Act II, Scene IV
Act II, Scene V
Act III, Scene I
HOMEWORK: Please continue to write your realistic play scripts. This writing project is due Tuesday, Jan. 15. Please make sure you have the script draft completed to turn in Tuesday, as we will be finishing Twelfth Night in class. No lab time will be given for the writing of your play, so please complete this on your own time at home.
You will also note that Shakespeare attempts to follow the typical advice from Aristotle. All plays need interesting characters. There are many of these in this play. Each major character has an importance to the plot. They are involved in the action. They have desires and wants and needs that they attempt to achieve. Along with plot (with its episodic nature: each scene advances or complicates the plot), Shakespeare includes spectacle and music to his play. The songs enhance the audience's enjoyment. This play centers around a celebration (12th Night) and, as such, the characters enjoy the very real and human aspects of celebration: drink, dance, song. As for language, Shakespeare excels at his poetic turns of phrase. Some of the language is absolutely beautiful and poetic. Some of the language is silly banter or witty repartee. Finally, there is plot. As we read and watch today, consider what Shakespeare is attempting to say about the basic themes of love and life.
Act II, Scene III
Act II, Scene IV
Act II, Scene V
Act III, Scene I
HOMEWORK: Please continue to write your realistic play scripts. This writing project is due Tuesday, Jan. 15. Please make sure you have the script draft completed to turn in Tuesday, as we will be finishing Twelfth Night in class. No lab time will be given for the writing of your play, so please complete this on your own time at home.
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