All of these terms suggest motifs and, possibly, themes in the play.
The reader should pay particular attention to the theme regarding fate in this play. Plot, circumstances, luck, and chance play significant roles in this fast-paced play; and because of that, the characterization of the central character, Viola, is emphasized less than some of Shakespeare’s other heroes or heroines (notably Rosalind of As You Like It). Viola is a passive character who allows fate to bring her what she desires instead of actively chasing after it (chasing after her love for Orsino). Fortunately, fate is a benevolent force in this comedy and allows Viola to achieve her desires despite her lack of deliberate action in this regard. The critic Anne Barton refers to this same idea as the theme of time, and highlights the qualities of patience, grief, and the transitory nature of time (that is, the brevity of life).
The theme of madness is also prominent throughout this play. Madness and foolish behavior go hand-in-hand, and nearly all of the characters act foolishly or madly or both. Oddly, the one sane character is the fool, Feste.
The complete title of the comedy is Twelfth Night, or What You Will. The word will is a triple pun: (1) wish or desire, (2) passion or irrational desire, and (3) a nickname for the author, William Shakespeare. Shakespeare probably intended all three meanings for the title. However, with any title of a comedy – especially a subtitle – a reader should not become obsessive about connecting the theme to it. After all, the purpose of the title is to arouse the curiosity of the audience and get them to come to the theater. The title may or may not describe the exact nature of the comedy itself.
In several Shakespeare comedies (such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It), the playwright establishes a Two Worlds Theme. The characters escape from the world of the city and civilization to the world of the country and nature. In nature the characters undergo a transformation, becoming more natural and more accepting of their emotions and how to deal with them. Twelfth Night indirectly has a Two Worlds Theme. Viola and Sebastaian come from a civilized and sane world to the wild and mad world of Illyria. Moreover, the locale of Illyria functions as both worlds. The characters at the beginning of the play are mad and act foolishly. However, as events unfold, the characters come to an understanding of themselves; and their emotions and their problems are put in order. The personal and emotional transformation of the characters is symbolized by the physical transformation of Cesario into Viola. Cesario is the false identity that needs to be restored to the true identity of Viola before that character can find happiness.