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Hamlet And Twelfth Night Analysis

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Themes are universal lessons and subjects in a piece of writing or book. Both Hamlet and the Twelfth Night have universal themes. The two plays teach valuable lessons throughout the actions going on. Readers are able to recognize themes throughout the plays based on the specific characteristics of each of the plays. The two books have some clear differences. The Twelfth Night was written in 1601 while Hamlet was written in 1599. The different times of being written can allow the reader to recognize different themes in each of the plays. Hamlet is a tragedy and a the Twelfth Night is a Comedy. Hamlet was set in Denmark while the Twelfth Night was set in the imaginary Dukedom of Illyria. The different genres also lead readers to determine the …show more content…
The first theme is the danger of love. The Twelfth Night shows that love is dangerous and poses a threat. "Cesario", come; For so you shall be, while you are a man; But when in other habits you are seen, Orsino 's mistress and his fancy 's queen.” (Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Scene 5 Act 1). In this quote, Orsino calls Viola “Cesario” even though Viola’s identity has been revealed. This is dangerous for Orsino because he is so caught up in Cesario, he does not realize that Viola is back and has revealed herself. The second theme is love and self. The Twelfth Night shows that love and self means that when one falls in love, they lose their self-composure. “O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, Methought she purged the air of pestilence! That instant was I turn 'd into a hart; And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, E 'er since pursue me.” (Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 1 Scene 1). This quote talks about when Orsino is invited to hunt, he replies with how he is in love with Olivia. He loses his self-composure and denied the offer to go hunting. Hunting is something Orsino enjoyed but because he is in love, he denies the offer. The third theme is the folly of ambition. The Twelfth Night shows ambition can lead to many problems. “I will help you to 't. But tell me true, are you not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit?” (Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 4 Scene …show more content…
The stories were both set in different places and times which led each play to have different themes. Also, Hamlet was a tragedy and the Twelfth Night was a comedy so the different genres lead to different themes as well. The three main themes in Hamlet are mortality, revenge, and lies and deception. The three main themes in the Twelfth Night are the danger of love, love and the self, and the folly of ambition. Even with all of the differences, Hamlet and the Twelfth Night share the theme of Lies and Deceit. Both plays include numerous lies and deceitful actions. The lies and deceitful actions lead to many problems and chaos. The two plays are very different but can be tied together with their similar theme of lies and

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