Analysis Of Barnby Riche's Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare, wrote The ‘Twelfth Night or What You Will’, which is thought to be written around 1599-1601. It is one of the eighteen comedies written by him.
The introduction by Harriet Ragunathan points out the similarities between the play and Barnby Riche’s Farewell to Military Profession. The characters of Silla and Apolonius correspond to that of Viola and Duke Orsino respectively. Though Shakespeare draws inspiration from the mentioned story, his ability to create different directions for his story to flow in, is noteworthy. The list of characters in this play is interesting. They each have a significant part to play which aid the progress of the story, some even subtly help uncover the theatrical sensibilities practiced in the Elizabethan Period. All comedies written by Shakespeare characteristically differ from the Farce. Farce is when the play aims to extract laughter out of the audience using mockery or clear foolery, while Shakespeare wrote comedies that were more definitive of happy endings, confusions that gave rise to humour and hopeless romance.

For almost the complete play, she is in disguise of a man, which gives way for a series of questions, as to how did she manage to do so. Firstly, let us talk in terms of the play.
The play begins with an unexpected accident, where Viola apparently loses her identical twin brother, Sebastian, in a shipwreck. It is said, that, they were identical to such an extent, that they couldn’t be told apart without a visible difference in their attires. This fact has a crucial significance considering the technicalities of the Elizabethan Theatre. While, to serve a countess of Illyria, Olivia, was the best option for Viola, the captain of the vessel reminds her of the countess’ decision not to admit anybody at her presence, post the death