Why is Twelfth Night titled as such?
Twelfth Night is the night of Epiphany, January 6, or, the twelfth night after Christmas. This holiday signaled the end of Christmas merry-making and, more importantly, commemorated the Magi. It is likely that Shakespeare wrote the play to celebrate this occasion and thus gave it this specific title. There are critics who connect the holiday and thus the title to characters in the play, like Sebastian and Viola, who could represent Christ’s dual nature. But these connections are dubious.
