Twelfth Night
Adobe EPUB eBook Series
on Goodreads (189,837)
What’s inside...
This No Fear Shakespeare ebook provides the complete text of Twelfth Night along with an easy-to-understand translation. It includes the original play, a line-by-line translation into everyday language, a list of characters with descriptions, and extensive commentary to help readers comprehend and appreciate Shakespeare's work. The book is set up with the original text on the left-hand page, and the translation on the right-hand page. The story is set in a chaotic world resembling a festive celebration and revolves around themes of romantic intrigue involving separated twins, misplaced passions, and mistaken identity. Alongside this, there's a satirical subplot about a delusional steward who aspires to be 'Count Malvolio,' only to face ridicule from the festive crowd. The play intricately weaves farce with melancholy reflecting on themes of love and time, ultimately concluding with a reflective song from a clown rather than laughter.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-15
Length
298 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Viola
Maria
Olivia
Fabian
Antonio
Feste
Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Sir Toby Belch
Sebastian
Orsino
Malvolio
Sebastion
Duke Orsino
Discussion points
What do you think motivates each character to disguise themselves in 'Twelfth Night'?
How does the theme of mistaken identity affect the relationships between characters?
What are your thoughts on how the characters in the play express their feelings?
Why do you think Shakespeare included both humorous and serious moments in 'Twelfth Night'?
How do you think the story would change if it were set in today's world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe their favorite character and explain why they like them. This can help deepen their understanding of character development.
Ask your child to think of a time they pretended to be someone else, like in a game or play, and discuss how that felt and what the outcomes were.
Discuss the importance of being honest and true to oneself, drawing examples from the characters’ experiences in the play.
Explore the different types of love shown in the play, such as romantic love, friendship, and self-love, and ask your child to give examples of each from their own life.
Prompt your child to imagine a modern-day version of the play and ask them what characters or events they would include.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy
Explanation: In 'Twelfth Night', characters often find themselves in situations where they must understand and empathize with others, such as Viola's need to empathize with Orsino's romantic plight while disguised as Cesario.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to put themselves in others' shoes, understanding different perspectives and feelings, which helps in building strong interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Viola's determination to survive and find her brother in a foreign land showcases her perseverance.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of persistence in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals, regardless of the challenges they might face.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deception
Explanation: The subplot involving Malvolio and the forged letter highlights the repercussions of deceit.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of honesty and the potential negative consequences that lying can bring to both themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Recognizing true identity
Explanation: Characters in the play often struggle with identity, as seen when Viola disguises herself as Cesario, leading to various confusions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to understand and stay true to their own identity, and highlights the importance of honesty in how they present themselves to the world.
Example Lesson: The strength in forgiveness
Explanation: By the end of the play, characters forgive one another for the misunderstandings and wrongs committed, leading to resolutions.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the power of forgiveness and the positive outcomes that can result from resolving conflicts and letting go of grudges.