Question

Subtitle of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is:

• A. Virtue Rewarded
• B. What you will
• C. All is True
• D. The Moor of Venice

Answer 1

Answer:

B. What you will

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Subtitle and Context

Understanding the Subtitle: "What You Will"

• The full title of the play is Twelfth Night, or What You Will.
• This subtitle, "What You Will," is significant and has multiple interpretations relevant to the play's themes and historical context.

Significance of "What You Will"

• Freedom of Interpretation: It suggests that the play can be understood and enjoyed in various ways, reflecting the ambiguity and playfulness within the narrative itself.
• A Nod to Ovid: "Quod Eris" (What You Will Be) was the title of a play by Robert Garnier, which Shakespeare may have been referencing. Shakespeare's subtitle is a translation of this.
• Seasonal Context: The title also alludes to the festive, often topsy-turvy atmosphere of the Twelfth Night (Epiphany) celebrations, a time when social norms were frequently subverted, mirroring the play's plot.
• Thematic Resonance: The phrase can be linked to themes of disguise, mistaken identity, and the fluidity of desire, where characters often act according to their whims or what they "will."

Historical Context and Publishing

• Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night around 1601-1602.
• The play was first published in the First Folio in 1623.
• The choice of subtitle might have also been a playful response to Ben Jonson's play Every Man in His Humour, which was also popular at the time.

Competitive Exam Relevance

• Understanding Shakespeare's subtitles is crucial for literary analysis in competitive exams.
• Key themes often tested include disguise, gender, love, and social order, all of which are encapsulated in the play's dual title.
• Knowledge of Elizabethan theatre practices and contemporary literary influences can also be beneficial.