Context- Twelfth Night

Elizabeth, yellow and the Spanish Armada

ending and reign

• Heteronormative denouement vital for a country facing an ‘insecure succession’

• Elizabeth death 1603, profound socially shared anxiety about succession- as she stabilized country in 45 year reign

  ^ 12/13 years earlier to reign sectarian violence religious persecution due to kings/queens standing on different religious beliefs

Sumptury Laws

Sumptuary laws were enacted to regulate consumption and maintain social hierarchy by restricting what different classes could wear. These laws aimed to prevent individuals from flaunting their wealth or social status by wearing clothing beyond their means. 

Comedies to Tragicomedies

boy-actors

It was not until 1660 that women were permitted to act on the stage:

• Before this date, all female roles in drama (including Viola, Olivia, and Maria) were played by young boy actors