Shakespeare’s Parallels

Setting is a significant part in Shakespeare’s plays. The mood of the play and characters change with the different locations. In Twelfth Night, Olivia’s house and the Duke’s palace are the prominent settings. In this play, the head of the household sets the tone for that environment. A feeling of sorrow and mourning can be felt, upon entering the house of Olivia:

“A virtuous maid, the daughter of a noble count

That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her

In the protection of his son, her brother,

Who shortly also died; for whose dear love,

They say, she hath abjured the sight

And company of men” (1.2.36-41).

Her sorrow is felt throughout the household, contributing

“Why masters, have your instruments been in

this world needs to fear no colors” (1.5.5-6).

William Shakespeare, an exceptional dramatist, uses devices in his writing to express reoccurring motifs. These parallels can be found throughout the thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays. Although the significance of several devices such as eavesdropping and comedic relief may not be as prominent as contrasting settings or reconciliation, they still can be drawn throughout these plays. Even in two apparently different plays, Twelfth Night and Othello, these parallels are still obvious.

Olivia cannot marry Viola, yet this disguise manages to woo Olivia for Sebastian. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria hurt Malvolio in order to advance themselves and pull a prank. These three decide to teach a lesson to Malvolio because of his uppity attitude. Maria decides to forge a letter from Olivia telling Malvolio that she loves him. The letter tells Malvolio to dress in yellow stockings in front of Olivia in order to woo her. Malvolio makes a fool of himself. Olivia, thinking he’s gone crazy, tells him to go to Sir Toby to be taken care of. Sir Toby, Maria ties him up in a dark room for a while so he’ll learn his lesson. Throughout the play, Iago is described as an honest, bold and very valiant man. With this disguise, Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona has been committing adultery with Cassio. In Othello, Iago’s disguise is to gain an office, which he feels he deserves, and to get revenge on Othello for allegedly committing adultery with his wife, Emilia. In order to follow with his plot, Iago tells Othello that:

haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may,

Some topics in this essay:
Sir Andrew, William Shakespeare, Olivia Illyria, Desdemona Othello, Night Olivia’s, Twelfth Night, Andrew Maria, Othello Iago’s, Roderigo Desdemona, Duke Orsino, twelfth night, sir toby, sir andrew, sir toby sir, toby sir, toby sir andrew, falls love, shakespeare’s plays, othello desdemona, maria sir toby, iago convinces, maria sir, desdemona emilia, twelfth night viola, twelfth night othello,