Abstract
Based on studying the source material used to inspire Twelfth Night, the textual dissection of the character’s interactions, and the literary devices used by Shakespeare, there is evidence to support an alternative queer reading by moving the queer focus from the often over-analyzed cisgender coupling of Antonio and Sebastian to focusing on Orsino and Cesario/Viola’s love story. There is clear evidence to support an interpretation of gay and transgender identities finding love and by interpreting the play as such there is a way to view this work as an original source of a “queer happy ending,” one where the characters cleverly solve their problems by finding ways to be themselves while a part of their societal system. This is Shakespearean in purpose and offers a chance for a piece of literary history to push back against the dominant narrative of the “tragic queer experience.” Thus, creating further interest in expanding queer readings of his work centered around the perspective of marginalized identities and experiences.