Twelfth Night

Shakespeare's Most Festive Play

Definition

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare (l. c. 1564-1616), written between 1600 and 1601 and first performed on 2 February 1602. As suggested by the title's allusion to Twelfth Night – the night before the Epiphany celebrations – it is considered one of Shakespeare's most festive plays, dealing with themes of love, merriment, and gender.

More about: Twelfth Night

Timeline

  • 2 Feb 1602
    Shakespeare's romantic comedy 'Twelfth Night' is performed for the first time at the Middle Temple in London.
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