While Trevor Nunn’s film adaptation of Twelfth Night is faithful to Shakespeare’s play, there are differences that slightly alter the audience’s perception of the story. Nunn chooses to downplay some aspects of the play while playing up others. The relationships between the characters seems to be the emphasis of the story. He adds in new material to supplement the plot while emphasizing minute points to make a bigger impact on modern audiences.
The prologue is entirely new to the story. In Shakespeare’s play, the action starts with Orsino’s dilemma with Olivia and then moves on to the aftermath of the shipwreck. Nunn’s film begins with a prologue to showcase the close relationship between Viola and Sebastian. There is an emphasis on how close these two characters are, making it a point to say that they are alone in the world together. This sets up the emotional reunion between Viola and Sebastian at the end. Their reunion is the most emotional scene in the play and including a prologue in which it is explained how close the twins are helps to create an even more powerful scene. …show more content…
Viola realizes it is dangerous for her to be in Illyria as a citizen of their enemy. Bringing this point to light makes it more believable to the audience that Viola’s cross-dressing scheme is her only option. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Viola just declares she must dress like a man to serve in Orsino’s court, which no real explanation as to why she feels it is her only option. Nunn’s Twelfth Night explains why Viola sees this as a valid plan. The emphasis on the war between Messaline and Illyria sets up the cross-dressing