Literary Commentary

Barber, C. L. "Testing Courtesy and Humanity in Twelfth Night," in Shakespeare's Festive Comedy, Princeton University Press, 1959, pp. 240-61.

Provides an overview of the play by considering different themes, first centering the argument on the key word "madness." The critic also considers social and sexual roles, and how their temporary inversion serves to solidify what is considered normal.

Berry, Ralph. "The Season of Twelfth Night." New York Literary Forum 1 (Spring 1978): 139-149.

Compares late nineteenth-century productions of the play with modern ones, finding that the former emphasized comedic elements of the play at the expense of its darker themes.

-. "'Twelfth Night': The Experience of the Audience." Shakespeare Survey 34 (1981) 111-19.

Contends that the play would have had a disturbing effect on Its Original audiences, much like a joke that goes too far

Charney, Maurice. "Comic Premises of Twelfth Night." New York Literary Forum...