Why Twelfth Night Is The Original Romantic Comedy
Because long before Hollywood invented the rom-com, Shakespeare was already out here writing the blueprint.
If you think Twelfth Night feels suspiciously like your favorite modern romantic comedy, you’re absolutely right.
Mistaken identities? Check.
A messy love triangle (square? hexagon?)? Check.
Emotional speeches set to dramatic music? Double check.
Shakespeare basically handed us the genre—with extra chaos, better insults, and fewer questionable 2000s haircuts.
Here’s why Twelfth Night deserves the title of OG Romantic Comedy.
1. A Classic Rom-Com Meet Cute
Most rom-coms feature two people crossing paths under improbable, borderline ridiculous circumstances.
Twelfth Night goes, “Hold my quill.”
Viola survives a shipwreck, disguises herself as a man, and immediately becomes the messenger for a duke who’s in love with a countess.
The countess then falls for Viola-in-disguise.
It’s messy, delightful, and deeply on-brand for the genre.
2. The Love Triangle Is Peak Rom-Com Energy
Romeo and Juliet died for love.
The Twelfth Night crew… accidentally flirts with the wrong twin.
Orsino pines after Olivia.
Olivia swoons over Cesario (hi, Viola).
Viola quietly melts every time Orsino talks about love.
And Sebastian arrives, making everything even more confusing.
Tell us this isn’t precisely the kind of chaos Hollywood writers dream about.
3. Mistaken Identity: The Rom-Com Superpower
Shakespeare practically invented this trope, and Twelfth Night uses it like a master.
Twins who look exactly alike?
A disguise that absolutely should not fool anyone but somehow fools everyone?
People falling in love with someone they’ve known for 14 minutes?
It’s the heartbeat of every “oops, wrong person” romantic comedy.
4. The Side Characters Are Comedy Gold
No rom-com is complete without a lovable disaster friend group.
Sir Toby Belch: the friend who encourages every bad idea
Maria: the brains of the operation
Sir Andrew: confusion wrapped in a wig
Feste: the musical comedian who roasts everyone equally
Malvolio: the humorless guy who absolutely deserves the prank he gets
It’s giving ensemble chaos, and we love to see it.
5. Music Sets the Mood (Way Before Spotify Playlists)
Where today’s rom-coms cue up love songs the minute anyone stares longingly out a window, Twelfth Night features a resident singer—Feste—who drops lyrical commentary on everyone’s messy romantic entanglements.
He’s basically the original breakup playlist.
(And our upcoming production includes an epic 2000s soundtrack.)
6. It Ends With Love, Laughter, and a Few Life Lessons
Like the best romantic comedies, Twelfth Night wraps its chaos with heart.
Love isn’t simple.
Identity can be complicated.
And sometimes the person who “gets” you has been standing there the whole time.
Plus, everyone (mostly) ends up happy.
Even Malvolio gets a character arc, though he would strongly disagree with the word “happy.”
7. Its Themes Still Hit Home Today
Modern audiences connect to Twelfth Night because it’s timeless:
Who am I?
Who sees the real me?
What does love actually look like?
Spoiler: Messy. Love looks messy. But also funny, tender, and incredibly human.
So Why Is Twelfth Night the Original Romantic Comedy?
Because Shakespeare understood that romance is hilarious, identity is fluid, and absolutely no one knows what they’re doing, especially when love is involved.
In other words: he nailed the genre before the genre even existed.
And with a modern setting?
Those themes shine even brighter.
Whether you’re new to Shakespeare or a longtime fan, Twelfth Night proves that great romantic comedy never goes out of style.
Ready to get your tickets to see it live in Huntsville this January? Click here.