The story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man and becomes entangled in the courts of two local aristocrats highlights the conventions of romantic idylls and gender roles.

"Twelfth Night" features many of the commonplace elements of Elizabethan romantic comedy, including the trick of mistaken identities, separated twins, and gender cross-dressing; its plot revolves around overcoming obstacles to "true" love.

Indeed, "Twelfth Night" is a play about love, set in a festive and carnival-like atmosphere; however, while it concludes with parallel marriages, it also speaks to the madness of love.

In this work, Shakespeare presents us with many versions of love and suggests that passion, in all its forms, is an overwhelmingly powerful force to which the characters are powerless to resist. And perhaps, ultimately, the play is best understood as a testament to the unpredictable power of romantic desire and love in general.