eg Olivia and Feste friendship - Shakespeare shows both characters intellect by constructing colloquy in prose
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. [Feste. Act 1, scene 5]
Aphorism - shows Feste is erudite gives audience a higher knowledge of the plot presented by other characters
Indication of Feste's aloofness from the play - detached from unfolding scenario
Observer as oppose to participant
Viola and Orsino - iambic pentametre
Viola: I should your Lordship. Orsino: ...................................... And what's her history? . . . Viola: Sir,
shall I to this lady? Orsino: ..................................... Ay, that's the theme.
Merging of characters half line into a whole line
Linking lines also seen in Romeo and Juliet
shows the balance both characters provide for eachother
Form of language helps actors show Shakespeare's intentions
Structure
Exposition - establishing the main character relationships in a situation involving a conflict.
Development - building up the dramatic tension and moving the conflict established to its climax. (In
Twelfth Night, increasing complications resulting from love, and mistaken identity.)
Development - building up the dramatic tension and moving the conflict established to its climax. (In
Twelfth Night, increasing complications resulting from love, and mistaken identity.)
Sebastian: . . . some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned.
Antonio: Alas the day! Sebastian: A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of
many accounted beautiful. [Act 2, Scene 1]
Lets the audience know Sebastian is alive - mistaken identity plot - sets up dramatic irony
River Action = actions not closely linked are moving in parallel to be integrated at the end of the play
Language
Used to convey feelings and thoughts of characters
Malvolio speaks in prose at start of play to show intelligence but speaks in verse towards the end of the play
Distorted rhythm showing he is feeling strong emotion - humiliation
In contrast to smoothly flowing lines of Orsino
If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken,
and so die. [Act 1, Scene 1]
Malvolio is more well-spoken than witty, but he is more pompous and arrogant.
I'll be reveng'd on the whole pack of you! [Act 5, Scene 1]
Metaphor signifies isolation from the rest of the group