Twelfth Night 4 Essay, Research Paper
Twelfth Night, or What You Will (a Later Festive Comedy)
In Illyria, the Duke of Illyria, Orsino states he is sick in love with
Olivia. Valentine reports to him, however, that she will not see him
any other man for seven years while she mourns the death of her father
and brother (both died within the last six months). On the seacoast,
Viola and her ship’s captain come ashore after their ship sinks. Viola
fears her twin brother Sebastian is drowned, but the captain thinks he
saved himself by holding onto the floating mast. Upon learning that she is in Illyria, governed by Orsino, she convinces the captain to help disguise her as a male so that she may become a servant to Orsino, and it seems, perhaps try to win his love. At Olivia’s house, her uncle, Sir Toby Belch, comes home late, drunk as usual, while Olivia’s lady-in-waiting Maria lets him in. Soon, Toby’s drinking buddy Sir Andrew Aguecheek shows up. Andrew tells Toby he’ll head for home the next day, since Olivia won’t let him woo her, but Toby convinces him to stay with them another month and promises to try harder to get Olivia to like him (Andrew). Back at the Duke’s palace, he asks Viola (pretending to be a male servant named Cesario) to approach Olivia and woo her on his behalf. Viola (as Cesario) promises to do so, but privately reveals she will not try hard, since she desires Orsino. At Olivia’s house, Olivia and her servant Feste (aka Clown) trade witticisms when Maria and Toby (drunk as usual) tell her Viola (as Cesario) is at the door. Learning Viola is come from Orsino, Olivia tells her steward Malvolio to send him away. Finally, though, she agrees to see Viola. Viola speaks to Olivia about Orsino and actually tries to tell her how to distance herself from him. While Viola speaks,Olivia actually starts to fall in love with her (as Cesario). When Olivia makes a pass at Viola, she quickly shuns Olivia off. After Viola leaves, Olivia even has Malvolio send her ring after her (as Cesario).When Viola receives the ring from Malvolio, she realizes Olivia’s new love for her and wonders how things will work out now that Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia loves Viola (as Cesario), and Viola loves Orsino. At the seacoast, Sebastian tells Antonio (the captain that rescued Sebastian, but not Viola) of his fears that Viola is drowned. Sebastian heads toOrsino’s court, and, though Antonio knows he has enemies there, he follows Sebastian out of pity for his plight. At Olivia’s house, Toby and Andrew drink into the night, while the clown entertains them. Maria appears and Toby starts flirting with her. Malvolio, though, shows up and tries to spoil the fun. After he leaves, Maria tells Toby, Andrew, and the Clown how she plans to trick Malvolio into thinking Olivia is in love with him by penning love letters to him in Olivia’s hand. Separately, Andrew tells Toby he is running out of money while he tries to win Olivia, and if he fails, he’ll blame Toby. At the Duke’s palace, the clown sings songs of love, while Viola and Orsino discuss the qualities of love. Orsino bids Viola approach Olivia again with his greeting, even though Viola insists Olivia will not be moved. In
Olivia’s garden, Toby, Andrew, Olivia’s servant Fabian, and Maria hide
and listen to Malvolio pompously dream of his “impending” marriage to
Olivia, the idea placed in his mind by Maria’s deceptive letters.
Viola comes back to Olivia’s house to talk to her for Orsino, but
Olivia declares to Viola that she loves her (as Cesario). Andrew again
announces he’s leaving, but Toby and Fabian again convince him to stay,convincing him he should duel Viola (as Cesario) to impress Olivia to love him. Separately, Toby admits to Fabian he only keeps Andrew arou
Outside Olivia’s house, the clown follows Sebastian around (thinking
him Viola) insisting his name is Cesario and that Olivia desires to see him. This annoys Sebastian and he bids the clown to leave. Andrew then appears and strikes Sebastian (thinking him Viola/Cesario), but
Sebastian strikes back at Andrew, scaring him. Toby, trying to keep
Sebastian from Andrew himself duels Sebastian, until Olivia breaks it
up. Sebastian immediately falls in love with her and they depart into
her house together. In another part of the house, Malvolio is kept
prisoner in a cell in the basement by Toby and Maria. The clown
pretends to be a priest and visits him, but will not help him, and,
rather, makes fun of him and calls him mad. In Olivia’s garden,
Sebastian ponders the amazement of the finding of his new love Olivia,
then she and he go with a priest to the church to be married.
At Olivia’s house, the Duke arrives and entreats the clown to let him
see Olivia. While waiting, Antonio shows up with the officers and
explains how he rescued Sebastian from the sea then helped him
(actually Viola) in the duel. Orsino tells Antonio he is a pirate and
not to be trusted since he helped steal one of Illyria’s greatest
battleships in the past. Olivia arrives and immediately starts doting
on Viola (as Cesario), eventually calling her husband, shocking Viola
and enraging the Duke. The Priest arrives and confirms the marriage
between Olivia and Cesario (actually Sebastian). Andrew then appears
and swears Cesario struck Toby alongside the head, wounding him, but
Viola denies it. Toby appears, mad at Viola (thinking her Sebastian),
but leaves to be bandaged. Finally, Sebastian appears and greets all,
while both twins (he and Viola) are amazed and delighted that the other is living. Sebastian promises to keep his marriage to Olivia, and the Duke vows to marry Viola. Malvolio is brought forth from the cell and all learn of the trick played on him. Fabian and the Clown admit they, Toby, and Maria did it all in jest, and in return for Maria’s help, Toby married her. However, Malvolio vows to be revenged on them all.The Duke calls his servants to calm Malvolio, and all depart happily.