Twelfth Night, or What You Will

This BBC Radio 4 podcast episode of "In Our Time" features Melvyn Bragg and three Shakespeare scholars—Pascale Aebischer, Michael Dobson, and Emma Smith—discussing Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." They delve into the play's setting in Illyria, its themes of love, desire, and social status, and the character of Malvolio and the cruelty directed towards him. The discussion also covers the play's historical context, its relationship to Shakespeare's other works, the complexities of gender and sexuality, and the challenges of staging the play for modern audiences.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction and Context

Part 2: Character Analysis and Social Commentary

Part 3: Modern Interpretations and Legacy

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In Our Time

Part 1: Introduction and Context

Introduction to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

Gender, Excess, and the Title's Significance

Twelfth Night in the Context of Shakespeare's Work and Sources

Part 2: Character Analysis and Social Commentary

The Character of Malvolio and Audience Complicity

The Cruelty Towards Malvolio and its Social Implications

The Lack of Boundaries and Violence in Illyria

The Relationship Between Orsino and Viola and Social Status

Viola/Cesario's Wooing of Olivia and the Play's Setting

Puritanism, Sexuality, and Gender in Twelfth Night

Part 3: Modern Interpretations and Legacy

Challenges for Modern Directors and the Interchangeability of Teenagers

The Enduring Popularity and Performance Tradition of Twelfth Night

End of Podcast

Twelfth Night, or What You Will

In Our Time

Part 1: Introduction and Context

00:05Introduction to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

Introduction to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

05:50Gender, Excess, and the Title's Significance

Gender, Excess, and the Title's Significance

08:32Twelfth Night in the Context of Shakespeare's Work and Sources

Twelfth Night in the Context of Shakespeare's Work and Sources

Part 2: Character Analysis and Social Commentary

11:38The Character of Malvolio and Audience Complicity

The Character of Malvolio and Audience Complicity

14:34The Cruelty Towards Malvolio and its Social Implications

The Cruelty Towards Malvolio and its Social Implications

19:37The Lack of Boundaries and Violence in Illyria

The Lack of Boundaries and Violence in Illyria

24:42The Relationship Between Orsino and Viola and Social Status

The Relationship Between Orsino and Viola and Social Status

29:07Viola/Cesario's Wooing of Olivia and the Play's Setting

Viola/Cesario's Wooing of Olivia and the Play's Setting

35:38Puritanism, Sexuality, and Gender in Twelfth Night

Puritanism, Sexuality, and Gender in Twelfth Night

Part 3: Modern Interpretations and Legacy

42:30Challenges for Modern Directors and the Interchangeability of Teenagers

Challenges for Modern Directors and the Interchangeability of Teenagers

47:27The Enduring Popularity and Performance Tradition of Twelfth Night

The Enduring Popularity and Performance Tradition of Twelfth Night

55:53End of Podcast

End of Podcast