Act One
Scene One:
This scene introduces us to the Duke, who is in love with a girl called Olivia. His servant goes to ask her whether or not she would like to go out with the Duke. The message back from her servant is that Olivia will not be seen in public for seven years because of the death of her brother.
Scene Two:
After a shipwreck, Viola finds herself in Illyria, a coastal town. She believes that her brother has been killed in the shipwreck, and that she will never get off this island. After learning about the Duke, she arranges with the captain of the ship to disguise herself and serve the Duke. He may then fall in love with her.
Scene Three:
Sir Toby and Maria are talking to each other about Olivia’s decision to mourn for seven years. They are also talking about Sir Toby’s drinking and friend, Sir Andrew, a foolish knight that has been brought to the castle as a suitor to Olivia. Sir Andrew says he is going to leave, but Sir Toby persuades him not to, as Olivia is not interested in the Duke. Maria leaves, and Andrew and Toby dance.
Scene Four:
Viola, already disguised as Cesario (she is referred to as Cesario instead of Viola throughout the play), has already become a servant to the Duke. Her first job is to try and persuade Olivia to go out with the Duke. Viola has fallen in love with the Duke.
Scene Five:
Maria and Feste the clown are talking when Olivia enters with Malvolio. She has a conversation with Feste, and he gets the better of her. Maria announces that a young man (Cesario) is here to see Olivia. She says that if he is from the Duke, she will not see him. Maria returns and says the young man will not take no for an answer, so Olivia meets him with Maria at her side. Cesario is very convincing about the Duke’s love, but Olivia is not unstuck. She dismisses Cesario, and when by herself, shows that she is in love with him. She sends Malvolio with a ring Cesario apparently left behind and says he should return tomorrow.
Act Two
Scene One:
Sebastian, Viola’s identical twin brother, comes to shore after the shipwreck, saved by Antonio. He wants to be Sebastian’s servant, but he says that he will make it to the Duke’s court by himself.
Scene Two:
Malvolio runs after Cesario to give him the ring. He denies that he gave it to her, and so Malvolio puts it on the ground in front of him. He (Viola) thinks that Olivia is in love with him.
Sir Toby and Sir Andrew were talking loudly. Feste joined them and sang a romantic song for them. The other two then joined in. Maria came down and told them that they were making too much noise. Malvolio then entered and told Sir Toby that if he didn’t stop his drinking, he would be banned from the house by Olivia, his niece. He then left, as did Feste. Maria made up a plan that she would leave a note that talked of Olivia’s love for Malvolio.
Scene Four:
The Duke, still lovesick, called for some music. Feste arrived and sang a lovesick song back to him. He left, and Cesario and the Duke talked. Cesario was told to go back and try to woo Olivia.
Scene Five:
In this scene, the note was set for Malvolio. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian, who hated Malvolio, watched him behind a tree. As Malvolio walked into the scene, he was thinking about what it would be like to be married to Olivia. He found the note and went to do what the note said, which was to dress in yellow cross-garter stockings.
Act Three, Scene One:
In this scene, Cesario again went to Olivia. She talked to Feste and Sirs Toby and Andrew. Olivia then came out and confessed her love for Cesario. He then ran away as Olivia continued to pledge her love.
Scene Two:
In this scene, Sir Andrew was attempting to leave the castle, as he believed that Cesario had made more progress towards the love of Olivia. Sir Toby and Fabian persuaded him to stay and convinced Sir Andrew to challenge Cesario to a fight. Maria then entered and told them all about Malvolio.
Scene Three:
Antonio and Sebastian went to an inn, and Antonio gave Sebastian his purse in case he wanted to buy something. Antonio revealed that he was in trouble with the Duke.
Scene Four:
Olivia was pondering how she would invite Cesario to her house. Malvolio entered, and he was wearing yellow cross-gartered stockings. He seemed to think that he and Olivia had some sort of understanding. He then left to let Cesario in. Meanwhile, Sir Andrew showed Maria, Sir Toby, and Fabian his letter to Cesario. They urged him on.
Sir Toby delivered the challenge to Cesario, and he was very worried. Sir Toby told Cesario that Andrew was the best fighter in the country. He told Andrew the same about Cesario. They started to fight. Antonio saw this and, mistaking Cesario for Sebastian, fought for him. He was then arrested by the police. He asked Cesario for his purse back, and Cesario didn’t know what he was saying. He then called Cesario Sebastian, which gave him/her hope. Toby and Andrew saw this and were disgusted.
Act Four, Scene One: Feste goes to collect Cesario and sees Sebastian. He takes him to Olivia’s house, mistaking him for Cesario. When he gets there, Andrew hits Sebastian, also mistaking him. The latter then smacks Andrew. Toby draws his sword and is quickly beaten. Olivia comes out and shouts at Toby. She takes Sebastian inside, and he falls in love with her.
Scene Two: Malvolio is locked up in the dungeon as everyone thinks he is mad. Feste dresses up as Sir Topaz the Curate and goes to tease Malvolio. The latter asks for pen and ink, but Feste refuses. He then leaves.
Scene Three: Sebastian, although concerned about Antonio, can’t get over Olivia’s behavior. She then appears with a priest and asks Sebastian to marry her, mistaking him for Viola. He agrees.
Act Five, Scene One: This long scene brings all the plots and subplots to a conclusion. Feste and Fabian are discussing a letter when the Duke enters to court Olivia in person. Antonio enters with his guards. Viola (Cesario) points out that he was the man that saved her from Andrew. The Duke recognizes Antonio for his past troubles as a pirate and demands an explanation. He says that he and Sebastian were inseparable for the last three months. Cesario has been working for the Duke for the last three months, and so Antonio is mad.
At this time, Olivia enters and calls Viola tardy and rejects the Duke’s love. Viola and the Duke turn to go, but Olivia calls Viola husband. The priest backs this up. Sirs Andrew and Toby enter and say Cesario beat them. Sebastian enters and tells Antonio not to worry, and all stare at the twins before them. Viola and Sebastian are reunited. The Duke pleads his love to Viola as Olivia is married.
Feste enters with Malvolio’s letter, and Malvolio is called for. Malvolio calls Olivia a liar for writing that letter. She says that it was written by Maria. Fabian confesses the plot to Malvolio and says that Sir Toby is married to Maria. Malvolio vows his revenge on “the whole lot of you,” and Feste finishes the scene and plays a song.
