Twelfth Night: About Nomenclature

Twelfth Night: About Nomenclature

William Shakespeare has entitled his tragedies after the names of the hero or the heroine or both but in the case of comedies he has not followed this rule. He has given them very charming and suggestive titles like The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night. In all these cases titles give a peep into the soul of the play.

The Twelfth Night has two titles and both of them are very suggestive. The first title the Twelfth Night suggests a light and comic nature. It is because the day on which this comedy was to be performed was associated with the day of merry-making. During Elizabethan period sixth January was celebrated as an important festival with a great enthusiasm. This day was the twelfth day after Christmas. This day was originally celebrated as the arrival day of the Magi in England as pilgrims. On this day dramas were performed. William Shakespeare perhaps composed the Twelfth Night to be performed on this very day. The title, therefore, reflects the association of the play with a particular festival.

Moreover on that day, a peculiar custom was followed. With a bean and a pea a large cake was prepared. It was called Twelfth Cake. This cake was divided among assembled ladies and gentlemen by lot. The lady and gentleman who used to obtain the pieces of the pea and the bean respectively were accepted as the Queen and the King for the day. It is fate that plays a very important role in the selection of husbands and wives in the Twelfth Night. It seems that the title of this play is based on this ancient custom. Hence this title the Twelfth Night is very appropriate.

The sub-title of the play is What You Will. It is more charming than the first one. It is suggestive of many ideas. It seems that the playwright shows his indifference towards the title of this play. It appears that Shakespeare wants to say that I have composed a play for a special occasion. You may call it what you will.