Duels and Fools

Shakespeare’s incorporation of the duel into his comedy,?Twelfth Night?was perhaps influenced by the infamous row between the dramatist Ben Jonson and “despised” actor Gabriel Spenser in 1598 which ended in the unfortunate death of Spenser. The duel was “over which theater troupe was Elizabethan England’s finest" (History. com).?According to historian Mike Paterson in his article “Ben Jonson’s Murder Charge,” he writes,?“The fight between Jonson and Spenser must have been as theatrical as any performed on stage.”?One could imagine how Shakespeare ceased the opportunity to re-write the news of the day for his own artistic schemes. After the incident the Bard eventually played a role in Jonson's play, Every Man and His Humor and went on to complete?The Twelfth Night?in 1601. The understanding that men could fight to the death over something as petty as "who's the best'' appears ridiculous to the modern scholar seeing that duels fed into malcontented hypermasculinity to no end. Past evidence reinforces this idea indicating that most duelers were more concerned over retaining honorable manliness than acting with any moral purpose (artofmanliness). Analyzing the?Twelfth Night’s duel between Sir Andrew and Cesario through a historical lens enables the contemporary reader to acquire meaning behind the characters’ reasons and concerns to go into battle thereby deciphering the author’s purpose behind the text’s farce and irony. Shakespeare’s aspiration to turn this manly event upside down might demonstrate his belief that in the end,?life is but a comical skit. This of course includes duels.

It didn’t take much to start a duel. The article, "Man's Life, Honor, Manly Knowledge'' states: “duels can arise from matters most trivial-telling another man he smelled like a goat or spilling ink on a chap’s new vest” (artofmanliness.com).?Sir Andrew, the cowardly Knight (described by the shifty Sir Toby Belch as a "clodpole") has challenged Cesario (who is really a woman) to a fight on the premise that Olivia loves Cesario and not the stooge Sir Andrew himself. Since a duel is a mere show of courage (no matter how inconsequential the reasons to head into battle), the cause for Sir Andrew’s revenge is founded on illusion. Olivia's admiration for Cesario threatens Sir Andrews' fantasy to woo Olivia into matrimony. Unaware of his underwhelming communication skills, the insipid knight's letter challenging Cesario to a match is deemed, "so excellently ignorant" by Sir Toby that Belch takes it upon himself to "deliver his challenge by word of mouth." In the past, duels were a spectator's sport and involved allies on both sides called seconds. Seconds "ensure that the duel was carried out under honorable condition" (artofmanliness.com). This “friend” offers support in every aspect of the battle and especially when something is “in it” for him. Sir Toby is literally Sir Andrews' red hand man while Belch preys on this dumb, yet rich, knight. Sir Toby hopes that once Sir Andrew is securely married to Olivia, he may live in luxury-bathing in the good futures of his friend. Additionally, in duel tradition, “the seconds' task is to assure a peaceful resolution to the matter at hand in hopes of preventing bloodshed” (art of manliness).

When, Sir Andrew gets cold feet before the duel, he confides in Sir Toby that he must buy his way out. “Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him my horse, grey Capilet?"?Belch agrees to this peaceful outcome as a thoroughly sliced Sir Andrew would interfere with his own future prospects as cousin-in-law. Sir Toby reinforces this need for a peaceful end as he snidely remarks under his breath, "marry, I'll ride your horse as well as I ride you." Duels happened for little reason and the dueler never went into the fight alone making it clear why Sir Toby is so eager to help in the battle.

No “real” man must ever refuse to go into battle.?Again, Viola (Cesario) is a woman in disguise, and Cesario has not entirely comprehended the rules of manly challenges. This young person refutes Sir Andrew’s duel after Sir Toby’s exaggerations about the knights’ fighting abilities; "he is a devil in private brawl." Cesario replies the battle is both "uncivil as strange." Perhaps, if Cesario were truly a man, she/he would have understood that an honorable male must confront his supposedly blood thirsty enemy to preserve dignity. "The first rule of dueling was that a challenge to a duel between two gentlemen could not generally be refused without the loss of face and honor"(artofmanilness). Furthermore, in reference to writer Chris Hutchinson in the article "Man Knowledge," a man’s cowardly response would ostracize him from his community.?Viola/Cesario would not know these codes of ethics since he/she is without??"a little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man?" Her/his ignorance on this matter is an enormous hint to the world that she/he is an imposter and perhaps this absurdity might provoke a humorous response from the audience. These fools on stage would make the audience feel clever since every man knows he must lift his sword and defend his right to be called-a man.

In a duel, one should act bravely nor fear death. Before the match, Cesario and Sir Andrew are terrified, mocking the duel tradition itself. When Belch reassures Sir Andrew that Cesario would not harm him, the knight declares: “Pray God, he keeps his oath!”?Also, Cesario is reluctant about the battle. When he unenthusiastically lifts his sword, he states: “I do assure you, 'tis against my will.”?Historically the duel was "a show which became spectator sports with chivalrous knights squaring off in tournaments for bragging rights and honor." The pathetic duel between Sir Andrew and Cesario is a farce-a fight not worth bragging about. Moreover, Cesario would appear thoroughly pitiful to the audience, as Antonia (who misidentifies Viola as her twin brother Sebastian) took up arms against Sir Andrew. Antonio jumps in the ring and shouts, "Put up your sword. If this young gentleman. Have done offense, I take the blame on me." At this moment, the audience witnesses the hilarity of Antonio coming to the rescue of Cesario like a knight in shining armor.

During the time of Shakespeare sexism was at full speed and no worthy man needs rescuing as it would leave him more emasculated than relieved. Yet, the irony is that Cesario is a woman, but Antonio, the friend of Sebastian, doesn’t know that just yet.?Antonio's brave attempt would appear just plain silly to the Elizabethan crowd. The duel is about men defending their honor. A duel must never be abnegated. Sir Andrew’s and Cesario's reluctance to fight as well as Antonio's actions negate societal codes around dueling. Conclusively, the cowardly duelers create a mirthful display of doing the opposite of what must be done. This is why the “Twelfth Night” is an upside down play.?

Lastly, applying historical facts about the codes and ethics surrounding dueling helps the modern reader understand why the characters do as they do including why reversing these traditions could possibly be viewed as ludicrous to the Elizabethan theater goer. Sir Toby, a second, takes so much interest in Sir Andrew, making sure he survives the duel for his own personal interests. Sir Andrew and Cesario's cowardliness would seem strange to Shakespeare’s society. Antonio's chivalrous act of protecting Cesario from the harm would seem bizarre to people attending the Globe. Perhaps, this opposite approach to the duel was Shakespeare’s’ intention; theatre is a show of the unexpected. This is what makes comedy funny. The Twenty-First Century reader must know why Sir Andrew’s and Cesario’s duel would be perceived as laughable, and this can only be done when taking into account the historical context of the play. For William Shakespeare, the duel was not the only show in town.

"Work Cited"

Chris. (2021, June 17).?Man Knowledge: An Affair of Honor - The Duel. The Art of Manliness. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/man-knowledge-an-affair-of-honor-the-duel/.?

“In the Defense of Honor: The Rise and Fall of Dueling in America.”?The Ultimate History Project, ultimatehistoryproject.com/dueling.html.?