New Time Period, New Medium, New Meaning: How Twelfth Night Is Altered by Its Presentation as She’s the Man. Olivia Inka Kubic 12th Grade

Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night epitomizes the patriarchal society of the 17th century, rooted within the comedic elements customary to plays during the era. Its modern film adaptation, Andy Fickman’s She’s the Man, encapsulates the essence of the original text and is established on the basis of Shakespeare’s concepts. However, there are notable differences, at depth, within the film – ascribed to the addition and omission of certain elements, ultimately modernizing the play and reconstructing its meaning.

A hugely discernible distinction from play to film is the malleability of what gender is within the modern adaptation as opposed to its definitive denotation within the original. Duke’s pursuit of Olivia within the play is audaciously persistent – his covet is relentless despite Olivia’s sustained rejection. He encourages Viola to “leap all civil bounds” to gain the attention of Olivia – her initial spurn being impermissible to him. This is the engrained masculinity representative of the era’s patriarchal beliefs - an expectation that because he is male, one of high class, and because he takes interest in Olivia, her compliance to his pursuit is indisputable. This is stereotypical masculinity in the form of male dominance,...