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.