Twelfth Night: Shakespeare's Transvestite Comedy
What makes Twelfth Night one of Shakespeare's transvestite comedies?
a) The use of cross-dressing
b) The setting of the play
c) The protagonist's name
Answer:
The correct answer is a) The use of cross-dressing.
Twelfth Night is considered one of Shakespeare's transvestite comedies due to the prominent use of cross-dressing in the play. The character Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario, creating a hilarious series of events filled with confusion and mistaken identities.
Viola's decision to dress as Cesario adds a unique comedic element to the play. It allows Shakespeare to delve into the exploration of gender roles and societal expectations in a light-hearted and entertaining manner.
The theme of disguise and mistaken identity is a common motif in many of Shakespeare's comedies, but Twelfth Night stands out as a remarkable example of this. The play's clever use of cross-dressing makes it a memorable and distinctive piece in Shakespeare's body of work.