
In a first step, I will reveal the presence of Elizabethan love concepts in the relationships between the main characters.

This term paper will show the ascendancy of history in Twelfth Night, where Shakespeare analyzes the various considerations of love present at that time, weighs up good and bad aspects, and, subsequently, develops an own theory on true love. A quote from Zweig´s short story “Confusion” illustrates this: “Shakespeare was merely the strongest manifestation, the psychic message of a whole generation, expressing through the senses, a time turned passionately enthusiastic” (n. Secondly, Shakespeare takes up many of the controversial issues existent in Elizabethan society and discusses them in his plays. In fact, Shakespeare does apply two main methods in order to integrate traditional elements into his texts: firstly, he looks into the past and writes many of his plays-for example Julius Caesar -in commemoration of historic figures. What these contemporary critics often do not emphasize strongly enough is the extent to which Shakespeare draws from tradition to compose his plays. Last but not least, they elucidate his role as a preeminent model, when dissecting the effect his works had on authors like Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf. One particularly frequently chosen subject is the assessment of his various contributions to English culture and, concomitantly, the examination of new standards Shakespeare has set. Thus, most of their critical notices are concerned with Shakespeare´s influence on literature, theatre, and language. Eliot and Hugh Grady, focus on Shakespeare´s role as avant-gardist and precursor of modern literature. Congeniality: union of souls between Orsino and Cesario Melancholic love: Olivia in a mood of de-pressionĤ.

Orsino as a Petrarchan: enacted feelingsģ.
