Twelfth Night Happy Endings in Comedy Essay Example
“Comedy is characterised by a happy ending.” In light of this, how far is the ending of “Twelfth Night” satisfactory for a comedy?
Make close reference to Act 5 in your answer.
“The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.”
- Horace Walpole (1717 – 1797)
Walpole’s quote is construed by many critics to mean that a comedy cannot be characterised, as its interpretation can differ amongst individuals. Many people would say “Twelfth Night” meets the expectations of a comedy due to the presence of features (such as mistaken identity) causing discord throughout the play but these problems are resolved when we reach the denouement leading to multiple marriages. It can also be argued “Twelfth Night” isn’t truly a comedy because not all characters meet a satisfying ending, partially due to the fact normality is restored as we see characters conforming to society which does not compliment the prior social inversion present in the play. Referring to Walpole’s claim, I agree with the critics reading that any aspect of life will appear tragic if you become emotionally attached to it. A comedy cannot be enjoyed unless you are able to think of it detachedly and realise it is “an imitation of the common errors of our life” as expressed by Sir Philip Sidney, and accept it as that.
Looking at the title of this play script, we could presume that it’s based around a festive season which was always welcomed enthusiastically by people during the Renaissance period; an “experience of pleasurable merrymaking” as said by Andrew Stott, but also a time which we know must come to an end. As said in Henry IV Part 1: “If all the year were playing holidays, / To sport would be as tedious as to work.” It implies that you must come back from embracing the natural world and acknowledge society’s belief of what is the norm. Dr Eric Langley understands this to mean that even though we appreciate Sir Toby’s drunken behaviour, Viola’s double identity, and the
Make close reference to Act 5 in your answer.
“The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.”
- Horace Walpole (1717 – 1797)
Walpole’s quote is construed by many critics to mean that a comedy cannot be characterised, as its interpretation can differ amongst individuals. Many people would say “Twelfth Night” meets the expectations of a comedy due to the presence of features (such as mistaken identity) causing discord throughout the play but these problems are resolved when we reach the denouement leading to multiple marriages. It can also be argued “Twelfth Night” isn’t truly a comedy because not all characters meet a satisfying ending, partially due to the fact normality is restored as we see characters conforming to society which does not compliment the prior social inversion present in the play. Referring to Walpole’s claim, I agree with the critics reading that any aspect of life will appear tragic if you become emotionally attached to it. A comedy cannot be enjoyed unless you are able to think of it detachedly and realise it is “an imitation of the common errors of our life” as expressed by Sir Philip Sidney, and accept it as that.
Looking at the title of this play script, we could presume that it’s based around a festive season which was always welcomed enthusiastically by people during the Renaissance period; an “experience of pleasurable merrymaking” as said by Andrew Stott, but also a time which we know must come to an end. As said in Henry IV Part 1: “If all the year were playing holidays, / To sport would be as tedious as to work.” It implies that you must come back from embracing the natural world and acknowledge society’s belief of what is the norm. Dr Eric Langley understands this to mean that even though we appreciate Sir Toby’s drunken behaviour, Viola’s double identity, and the