Twelfth
Night Play
Twelfth Night begins with Orsino, The Duke of
Illyria revealing his love for Countess Olivia. Olivia
is annoyed her rowdy cousin Sir Toby has encouraged
Sir Andrew Aguecheek to court her. Sir Andrew is rich
but not very smart. Sir Toby has tricked Sir Andrew
into pursuing Olivia so he can continue benefiting from
Sir Andrew's wealth. Realising Olivia does not like
him, Sir Andrew prepares to leave but Sir Toby convinces
him to stay another month... Viola is introduced as
a survivor of a shipwreck which separated her from her
twin brother... Viola disguises herself as a man called
Cesario to serve Orsino, quickly becoming entrusted
by Orsino to convey his love for Olivia. Cesario, in
love for Orsino herself, dutifully represents him. Cesario
meets Olivia. Olivia explains she does not love Orsino.
Olivia would however like to see Cesario again. Smitten
with Cesario, Olivia sends her steward Malvolio after
him to give back a ring Cesario left behind...
Sebastian, Viola's twin, has survived the shipwreck.
He believes Viola is dead. Antonio, who saved Sebastian's
life, travels with him to Orsino's court even though
he has many enemies there. Malvolio returns Cesario's
ring to him. Cesario is confused; "he" left
behind no such ring. Cesario now realises the ring is
a ploy by Olivia to seduce him. Cesario tells Orsino
that Olivia does not love him but Orsino is undeterred...
Maria (Olivia's maid), Fabian, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
hate Malvolio. Maria writes a letter convincing Malvolio
that Olivia loves him. Cesario meets Olivia, Olivia
admitting she used the ring to see him again... Cesario
tries to discourage Olivia without success. Sir Andrew
decides to head home; Olivia is more interested in Cesario...
Sir Toby and Fabian convince him into challenging Cesario
instead.
Now in Illyria, Sebastian decides to look around, but
Antonio, fearful of his enemies, heads for a lodging
called "the Elephant." Antonio gives Sebastian
his wallet, the two parting company... Malvolio humiliates
himself in front of Olivia. Thinking him mad, she has
him put into the care of her servants. Sir Toby scares
Sir Andrew and Cesario into attacking each other. Antonio
arrives, pledging to fight on Cesario's behalf, thinking
Cesario is Sebastian. Antonio is captured. Antonio asks
Cesario for his wallet back but Cesario, not recognising
him, refuses. Antonio thinks Sebastian has betrayed
him, not realising he is speaking to Cesario.
Sir Toby and Sebastian are about to fight but Olivia
stops Sir Toby, hoping Sebastian, whom she thinks is
Cesario, will not be displeased with her. Sebastian
falls in love with Olivia, secretly marrying Olivia...
Antonio, meeting Cesario again asks for his wallet back
thinking he is Sebastian. Cesario, not knowing Antonio,
does not return the wallet. Imprisoned, Antonio baffles
Orsino by telling him that he and Cesario have been
together for three weeks. Orsino cannot believe this;
Cesario has been with him for three weeks. Olivia arrives,
scolding Cesario for neglecting his wife. Orsino, thinking
Cesario has taken Olivia for himself, prepares to punish
him. Olivia is upset her husband would rather be punished
by Orsino than be with her! Sebastian arrives. Orsino,
seeing Cesario and Sebastian together, is amazed to
see two copies of the same man. Sebastian and Cesario
eventually realise they are brother and sister. Cesario
reveals he is Viola. The cruel prank against Malvolio
is revealed. Orsino calls Olivia his sister, and Orsino
takes Cesario as his lover...
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act V
Scene I
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