Shakespeare’s_Parallels

Shakespeare’s Parallels Shakespeare’s Parallels Being an accomplished playwright, William Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven brilliant plays during his lifetime. Often in his plays there are events that coincide with each other as well as characters and themes. Even in two seemingly different plays – a comedy and a tragedy – these parallels are apparent. Twelfth Night and Othello each show prime examples of reoccurring motifs. When comparing this comedy and this tragedy, specific parallels can be drawn. Setting is a significant part in Shakespeare’s plays. The mood of the play and characters change with the different locations. In Twelfth Night, Olivia’s house and the Duke’s palace are the prominent settings. In this play, the head of the household sets the tone for that environment. A feeling of sorrow and mourning can be felt, upon entering the house of Olivia: “A virtuous maid, the daughter of a noble count That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died; olivia, othello, viola, sir, iago, love, desdemona, characters, man, orsino, night, twelfth, malvolio, toby, roderigo, plays, emilia, cassio, shakespeare’s, play, order, maria, disguise, cyprus, wife, tells, clown, andrew, parallels, out, letter, duke, woo, true