Discovering the Origins of Twelfth Night: Pagan Roots and Christian Influence

Twelfth Night: A Brief Overview of the Play

Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night has captivated audiences for centuries with its humor, romance, and mistaken identities. But where did this beloved play come from? The origins of Twelfth Night can be traced back to ancient pagan festivals and Christian religious celebrations.

The pagan festival of Saturnalia, which took place in ancient Rome, was celebrated from December 17th to the 23rd. During this festival, the social order was turned upside down, with slaves becoming masters and vice versa. This tradition of role reversal lives on in Twelfth Night, in which Viola dresses as a man and becomes the servant of Duke Orsino.

Another significant influence on Twelfth Night is the Christian celebration of Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. The holiday commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus, and as such, it is a day of gift-giving and feasting. It was also a day of social upheaval, with the lowest-ranking members of society allowed to mock and satirize those in power.

Christian Influence in Twelfth Night: The Role of the Church and the Epiphany

The traditions of Saturnalia and Epiphany came together in medieval Europe, where they were combined into a twelve-day celebration known as the Feast of Fools. During this time, the usual hierarchies of society were turned on their head, with commoners behaving as lords and vice versa. It was a time of wild revelry, with drinking, gambling, and bawdy songs and plays.

It is in this context that Twelfth Night was born. The play was likely written for performance on Twelfth Night itself, and it incorporates many of the traditions of the Feast of Fools. The character of Sir Toby Belch, for example, embodies the revelry and frivolity of the holiday, while the character of Malvolio represents the sober and uptight authority figures who were mocked during the festival.

But Twelfth Night is more than just a lighthearted comedy. Its themes of gender and identity are still relevant today. Viola’s decision to disguise herself as a man in order to gain access to opportunities denied to women speaks to the constraints of gender roles in Shakespeare’s time. And the fact that Duke Orsino falls in love with her, as well as Olivia, who falls in love with her male alter ego Cesario, highlights the fluidity of both gender and sexuality.

Furthermore, the play grapples with questions of love and desire. Orsino’s obsession with Olivia, who is grieving for her dead brother and not interested in romance, speaks to the irrationality of love. And the subplot involving Malvolio reveals the darker side of desire, as he is humiliated and imprisoned after being tricked into believing that Olivia is in love with him.

In conclusion, Twelfth Night is a play with deep roots in both pagan and Christian traditions. It is a celebration of the festive season and the power of revelry to subvert social norms. But it is also a thoughtful exploration of gender, identity, and desire. Shakespeare’s play continues to be relevant today, over 400 years after it was written, because it taps into fundamental aspects of the human experience.