This essay is graded A* (100%, 25/25) AS Level giving in-depth analysis of Sebastian. It includes various themes, integrated quotes, close reading of the play and advanced ideas helpful to anyone reading or analysing the play. This essay incorporates thought provoking and stimulating ideas which ca...
Question: Discuss the role and dramatic significance of Sebastian in “Twelfth Night”.
William Shakespeare wrote “Twelfth Night” between 1600 and 1605, a time
when there was economic prosperity: the rich were at their richest and the
middle-class had money to spare. More money meant a bigger audience in
theatres, so Shakespeare took full advantage to communicate his beliefs and
make societal comments through those with the loudest voice: his characters.
In “Twelfth Night” Sebastian holds his own roles and dramatic significance to
convey Shakespeare’s views of love, youth and relationships in seventeenth
century England.
Sebastian’s role by many is deemed to untangle the knots and tie up the loose
ends in the plot. This becomes credible as without any resistance or
questioning Sebastian fits into the part placed in front of him or in other
words, his destiny. When Olivia - to him a mysterious stranger - asks him to be
with her he agrees, concluding “I am mad, or else the lady’s mad”, pinning this
event on madness. Completely unpreoccupied by this, which, given the current
society’s perception of insanity, shows he is rather carefree and bold
dismissing social taboos with a wave of his hand. Conveniently all his
contributions to the play untie the knots made and are perceived as the filler in
of the plot’s gaps. With a nonchalant flow, he abides by the path set out for
him without complaint. Taking this approach, he seems devoid of a personality
of his own but a faded version of Viola’s. This makes Viola’s standing in as him
more realistic while still making various characters’ attraction to her twin
believable – true to Viola’s portrayal of him he is kind by allowing Antonio to
become a hero with his admiration. Nonetheless this role could actually be one
of his characteristics and part of his and Viola’s twin dynamic: he tidies up after
Viola and sets everything straight for the both of them. Or, could it be that
Viola traces out – like Hansel and Gretel – a bread path for him to find his
destiny without having to face any obstacles Viola slayed beforehand? Also,
when considering whether Sebastian really was in the play to link the loose
ends the audience must not forget that he brings Antonio in, the outsider
weighing down on the easy ebb and flow of the plot.
Sebastian’s dramatic significance in the play is to reinforce a message of ‘Carpe
diem’ Shakespeare tried to inspire Elizabethans with. Encouraging the
audience to ‘Seize the day’, Sebastian wishes “If it be thus to dream, still let me
sleep!” Given his and Olivia’s happy ending (evident with Shakespeare’s
implement of the Elizabethan trademark for happy endings, marriage) the
audience leans towards allowing oneself to fall ridiculously in love and
embrace the surreal. The audience is driven to accept the mayhem, and his
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