28th Annual Student Research Conference
Friend, Foe, or Fool? : Exploring Twelfth Night's Feste in Film and Theatre
Rachel M. Davis
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
Feste is one of Shakespeare's most beloved fools due to his witty banter and his encouragement of the shenanigans in the comedy Twelfth Night. As our guide through the world of Illyria, Feste sets the mood for the entire play. However, due to the versatility of his character he can be interpreted as anything from a wise advisor to a clever prankster. This essay will examine three interpretations of Feste's character: Trevor Nunn's 1997 film Twelfth Night or What You Will featuring Ben Kingsley, the 2012 live performance at Shakespeare's Globe featuring Peter Hamilton Dyer, and Truman's 2014 performance directed by David Charles Goyette featuring Christian Wacker. A close look at Feste's physicality, delivery, and interaction with other characters reveals the director's underlying message of the play and demonstrates Feste's influence on the plot of Shakespeare's beloved comedy.
Keywords: Twelfth Night, Shakespeare, Feste, Character Analysis, Film , Theatre
Topic(s):English
Theatre
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 302-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 1:15