Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare

Summary

'Twelfth Night' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, revolving around mistaken identity, love triangles, and social hierarchy inversions. The play begins with Viola, a young noblewoman, shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and believing her twin brother, Sebastian, has drowned. To survive, she disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino is deeply in love with Countess Olivia, who has vowed to mourn her brother's death for seven years and refuses all suitors. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia falls instantly in love with Cesario, creating a complicated love triangle where Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Cesario (Viola in disguise).

Meanwhile, a subplot involves Olivia's boisterous uncle, Sir Toby Belch; his foolish friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek; Olivia's sharp-witted gentlewoman, Maria; and the jester, Feste. They conspire to play a cruel trick on Olivia's puritanical and self-important steward, Malvolio, by forging a love letter from Olivia that encourages him to wear ridiculous yellow stockings, cross-garters, and smile constantly, leading him to believe Olivia is in love with him.

The confusion deepens when Viola's brother, Sebastian, who has survived the shipwreck, arrives in Illyria. His striking resemblance to Cesario leads to further mistaken identities, particularly when Olivia encounters Sebastian and, believing him to be Cesario, proposes marriage, which he readily accepts. Eventually, all identities are revealed, brothers and sisters are reunited, and the true love matches are sorted out: Orsino realizes his love for Viola, and Olivia remains married to Sebastian. Malvolio is released from his confinement and vows revenge on his tormentors, while Sir Toby and Maria's relationship also takes a turn.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens in Illyria, where Duke Orsino expresses his passionate but unrequited love for the Countess Olivia. Olivia, mourning the recent death of her brother, has vowed to remain cloistered and refuse all suitors for seven years. Orsino is deeply melancholy, immersed in thoughts of love and music.

Meanwhile, Viola, a young gentlewoman, has been shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria. She fears her twin brother, Sebastian, has drowned. To protect herself and find work in this strange land, she decides to disguise herself as a young man named Cesario and seek service with Duke Orsino, having heard good things about him from the ship's captain.

In Olivia's household, we are introduced to her uncle, Sir Toby Belch, a heavy drinker and reveler; Maria, Olivia's clever and witty gentlewoman; and Feste, the household's jester, known for his puns and songs. Sir Toby encourages his foolish friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who also hopes to marry Olivia, much to Maria's amusement.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Orsino	Duke of Illyria; melancholic, passionate, dramatic, self-absorbed in his feelings of love.	To win Olivia's love; to indulge in the melancholic aspects of unrequited love; to seek amusement and companionship.
Viola/Cesario	Resourceful, intelligent, witty, brave, practical, sensitive, loyal. Disguised as a young man.	To survive after the shipwreck; to protect herself in a foreign land; to find service and eventually reunite with her brother, Sebastian, if he is alive.
Olivia	Wealthy Countess; initially stern and resolute in her mourning, but quickly falls susceptible to love; proud, independent.	To mourn her brother for seven years; to maintain her independence; to avoid suitors.
Sir Toby Belch	Olivia's uncle; a boisterous, drunken, fun-loving knight; enjoys practical jokes and revelry.	To drink and party; to annoy Malvolio; to entertain himself and his friends; to exploit Sir Andrew for money.
Maria	Olivia's gentlewoman; witty, intelligent, sharp-tongued, observant, enjoys mischief.	To serve Olivia; to engage in witty banter; to participate in and instigate pranks against Malvolio.
Feste	Olivia's jester/clown; a professional fool, uses wit, songs, and puns; insightful and often the wisest character.	To entertain and be paid; to expose folly; to comment on the absurdities of life and love.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek	Foolish, vain, cowardly, dim-witted knight; Sir Toby's friend and drinking companion.	To win Olivia's hand (though he has little chance); to impress Sir Toby; to participate in Sir Toby's revelries.

Section 2

Viola, disguised as Cesario, quickly earns Orsino's trust and becomes a favorite attendant. Orsino, unaware of Cesario's true gender, sends "him" to plead his case to Olivia. Cesario, though reluctant, carries out the Duke's wishes.

When Cesario meets Olivia, "he" delivers Orsino's eloquent messages of love. However, Olivia is not moved by Orsino's suit; instead, she is captivated by Cesario's youth, charm, and beauty. She immediately falls in love with Cesario and dismisses Orsino's plea. After Cesario leaves, Olivia sends her servant Malvolio with a ring, claiming Cesario left it, as an excuse to draw "him" back to her. Viola, now realizing Olivia's affection for Cesario and her own growing love for Orsino, is caught in a complicated love triangle and laments the difficulties of her disguise.

Meanwhile, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria are often found reveling late into the night, much to the annoyance of Olivia's strict and self-important steward, Malvolio. Malvolio repeatedly scolds them for their unruly behavior, asserting his authority and moral superiority. Fed up with Malvolio's puritanical demeanor and ambition, Maria devises a plan to humiliate him. She proposes forging a love letter, seemingly from Olivia, to trick Malvolio into believing Olivia is secretly in love with him. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are delighted by the idea.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Malvolio	Olivia's steward; pompous, puritanical, ambitious, self-righteous, arrogant, humorless, and ultimately foolish.	To maintain order and control in Olivia's household; to improve his social standing by marrying Olivia; to appear virtuous and superior to others.

Section 3

The prank against Malvolio begins. Maria successfully crafts a letter, mimicking Olivia's handwriting, which she places where Malvolio will find it. The letter contains cryptic clues that Malvolio, fueled by his self-love and ambition, interprets as instructions from Olivia. He believes the letter tells him that Olivia adores him, desires him to wear yellow stockings and cross-gartering (fashions Olivia despises), and to smile constantly in her presence, no matter the situation. He resolves to follow these absurd instructions to win Olivia's hand and rise in status.

At the same time, Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, arrives in Illyria, having been rescued from the shipwreck by a kind sea captain named Antonio. Sebastian believes Viola has drowned. Antonio, who has a history of conflict with Orsino's court, risks his own safety to accompany Sebastian, having developed a strong bond with him.

Malvolio, now dressed in garish yellow stockings and cross-gartering, and with a perpetual, forced smile, presents himself to Olivia. Olivia, naturally, is utterly bewildered and concerned by his bizarre behavior, believing him to be mad. Sir Toby, Maria, and Feste observe Malvolio's antics with great amusement, convincing Olivia to have him taken away and confined, ostensibly for his own good.

Sir Andrew, still nursing his unrequited love for Olivia and fueled by Sir Toby's provocations, grows jealous of Cesario's apparent success with Olivia. Sir Toby convinces Sir Andrew to challenge Cesario to a duel to prove his courage and win Olivia's favor. Sir Andrew writes a comically inept challenge letter.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Sebastian	Viola's twin brother; brave, noble, somewhat impulsive, compassionate, resilient.	To grieve his sister; to explore Illyria; to honor his friendship with Antonio.
Antonio	Sea captain; loyal, courageous, devoted to Sebastian, has a past conflict with Orsino's court.	To protect and care for Sebastian; to fulfill his commitment to friendship despite personal danger.
Fabian	A servant in Olivia's household; joins Sir Toby, Maria, and Feste in their pranks.	To participate in the fun and mischief; to get revenge on Malvolio for a past incident involving a bear-baiting.

Section 4

Sir Toby, enjoying the escalating chaos, delivers Sir Andrew's challenge to Cesario, exaggerating Sir Andrew's ferocity to frighten Cesario. He then tells Sir Andrew that Cesario is a fierce duelist, making Sir Andrew equally terrified. The two reluctant combatants are pushed into a comical duel.

Just as the duel is about to begin, Antonio intervenes, mistaking Cesario for Sebastian. He protects "Sebastian" from Sir Andrew, believing he is defending his friend. However, officers of Orsino's court recognize Antonio and arrest him for past piracy against Illyria. Antonio, expecting help, asks Cesario (whom he believes is Sebastian) for the return of his purse, which he had lent to Sebastian. Viola, having no knowledge of any purse or Antonio, denies him, further confusing Antonio and making him feel betrayed by his friend. This incident highlights the growing confusion caused by the twins' resemblance.

Malvolio, having been declared mad, is locked in a dark room. Feste, disguised as Sir Topas, a curate, visits Malvolio and torments him further with philosophical riddles and mock exorcisms, much to the delight of Sir Toby and Maria. Malvolio, despite his confinement, maintains his sanity and pleads for pen and paper to write to Olivia and prove his sanity.

Meanwhile, Sebastian encounters Feste, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew, who again mistake him for Cesario. Sir Andrew attacks Sebastian, and Sir Toby joins in. Sebastian, unlike his sister Viola, is a skilled fighter and quickly fends them off. Olivia then appears and, mistaking Sebastian for Cesario, scolds Sir Toby for the brawl. She expresses her deep love for Sebastian (still believing him to be Cesario) and invites him to marry her immediately. Sebastian, bewildered but captivated by her beauty, wealth, and sudden proposal, readily agrees.

Section 5

The final section brings all the plot threads together for a series of revelations and resolutions. Olivia and Sebastian are secretly married by a priest.

Orsino, accompanied by Cesario, encounters Antonio, who, still believing Cesario is Sebastian, complains of "his" ingratitude. Orsino is confused, as Cesario has been by his side. The priest who married Olivia and Sebastian then confirms Olivia's marriage to "Cesario." Orsino, feeling betrayed, confronts Cesario.

Just as the situation reaches peak confusion, Sebastian enters, leading to the dramatic reunion of the long-lost twins. Viola and Sebastian, seeing each other for the first time since the shipwreck, confirm their identities, to the astonishment of everyone. Orsino, now realizing that Cesario is actually Viola, and that "he" has been loved by her all along, shifts his affection from Olivia to Viola and proposes to her. Olivia, having married Sebastian, is content with her choice.

Malvolio, still imprisoned, manages to send his letter to Olivia. Feste and Fabian present the letter to Olivia, who reads it and realizes the cruel trick played on her steward. She orders his release. Malvolio appears, furious and disheveled, revealing the contents of the forged letter and exposing Maria's involvement. Olivia sees the extent of the deception and reprimands her uncle and his companions.

In the aftermath, Orsino promises to marry Viola once she sheds her Cesario disguise. Sir Toby and Maria's subplot also resolves with their marriage, a consequence of Maria's cleverness in orchestrating the Malvolio prank. Sir Andrew is left humiliated. Malvolio, despite the general merriment, vows revenge on his tormentors, declaring, "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you!" The play concludes with Feste's melancholic song, reflecting on the cyclical nature of life.

Literary Genre

Romantic Comedy, Comedy of Errors

Author Facts

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 37 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare's work spanned comedies, histories, and tragedies. He was also a principal actor and co-owner in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men, a popular acting company in London.

Moral/Lesson of the Book

'Twelfth Night' explores several themes and offers various "morals":

• The Folly and Unpredictability of Love: The play suggests that love is often irrational, sudden, and can be directed at unexpected targets. Orsino's initial love is self-indulgent, Olivia's love is instant and based on appearance, and Viola's love is loyal and enduring. The play demonstrates that true love finds its way through confusion.
• Appearance vs. Reality / Identity: The central disguise of Viola as Cesario highlights how easily identity can be mistaken and how outward appearance can conceal inner truth. It questions gender roles and societal expectations.
• The Dangers of Self-Love and Ambition: Malvolio's downfall serves as a cautionary tale against excessive pride, self-importance, and social climbing. His ambition blinds him to reality and makes him susceptible to manipulation.
• The Balance of Folly and Wisdom: Feste, the jester, often embodies wisdom through his foolishness, offering insightful commentary on the other characters' behaviors. The play contrasts the intelligent wit of characters like Maria and Feste with the genuine foolishness of characters like Sir Andrew.
• The Inversion of Social Order: The festive atmosphere of "Twelfth Night" (a holiday where social roles were often inverted) is reflected in the play's plot, where servants outwit masters and women take on male roles, ultimately leading to a re-establishment of order but with changed relationships.

Curiosities of the Book

• Title Meaning: The play's title, "Twelfth Night," refers to the twelfth night of Christmas (January 6th), also known as Epiphany. This day traditionally marked the end of the Christmas festivities and was often celebrated with revelry, masquerades, and the inversion of social order (e.g., servants briefly acting as masters). This context is highly relevant to the play's themes of disguise, mistaken identity, and misrule.
• Subplot Prominence: The subplot involving Malvolio and his tormentors (Sir Toby, Maria, Sir Andrew, Feste, Fabian) is unusually prominent for a Shakespearean comedy, almost overshadowing the main romantic plot at times. This subplot provides much of the play's physical comedy and social satire.
• Gender Bending: Viola's disguise as Cesario leads to complex gender dynamics. Not only is a woman playing a man, but then another woman (Olivia) falls in love with her in her male guise. This allows Shakespeare to explore questions of gender, sexuality, and desire in a playful, indirect manner. It also means the role of Viola/Cesario was originally played by a male actor portraying a woman disguised as a man.
• The Malvolio Effect: The character of Malvolio is one of Shakespeare's most memorable comic villains (or perhaps, a sympathetic fool). His name itself suggests "ill will." The humiliation he suffers is quite severe, and his final vow of revenge ("I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you!") is unusual for a comedy, leaving a slightly darker, unresolved note amidst the general merriment.
• Source Material: Like many of Shakespeare's plays, "Twelfth Night" draws inspiration from various sources, including Italian comedies and short stories. One prominent source is an Italian play called "Gl'ingannati" (The Deceived Ones), which features a sister disguised as a boy and a lost twin brother.