12th Night

Twelfth Night by Shakespeare 
reviewed by Sara 

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, although eloquently written and difficult for some readers, is a memorable read that will keep you laughing out loud. Sebastian is Viola's identical twin brother. His ship has sunk and Sebastian is supposedly dead. Viola finds herself in the faraway land of Illyria. Even though she is a princess, Viola decides to disguise herself as a man due to the war and she goes off to work for the Count Orsino. The Count Orsino loves a woman by the name of Olivia and will do whatever he can to woo her, but things aren't that easy. Olivia's brother has recently died and she is still overcoming the trauma of it all. In her woe, she denies the company of any man. Count Orsino grows fond of the loyal Viola who has disguised herself as a man by the name of Cesario. Count Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia for him but Viola is in love with Count Orsino.

As the story unfolds the reader will slowly understand the love triangle and many suprises and side stories. The play is a lot of fun to read and even funnier to watch! This a good entertaining classic that many will enjoy.

Librarians Note: We will be following the edX course, Shakespeare: On the Page and in Performance, this fall with Sunday afternoon discussion sessions. Sign up for the course now, and we will post additional information about the Sunday sessions soon.

Librarian's Second Note: Though it is indeed implied in the text that Sebastian and Viola are identical twins, such twins by division cannot be of different genetic sex. Boy/Girl twin pairs are fraternal.

How have you made division of yourself?
An apple, cleft in two, is not more twin
Than these two creatures.