Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Plot Summary

The story or plot of the Two main characters Viola and their brother, the whole play revolves around her brother and how she gets herself after her brother is lost in a shipwreck.

Act 1

Before setting grounds for this act, let's get introduced to the characters of this play; Viola, a young and beautiful girl with a profound sadness about her twin brother Sebastian who was lost in a shipwreck, and the Duke of Illyria Orsino, who fells in live with viola. There are various other characters in this play, but we will discuss them in the play along with the story.

In Act 1, the writer tries setting the stage for this world-class play while introducing the main characters of the play, Duke, Viola, and Sebastian are introduced. Viola, a lovely and sweet girl drowning in the ocean due to a shipwreck, met with a few sailors and reached Orsino. In the shipwreck, Viola lost her brother as her, conception about him that this did happen, and in sadness, she vowed not to be in touch with any Male personality for seven years.

Orsino sends his servant, Cesario, who is Viola disguised as men, to deliver a message of love to Olivia. Disguised as Cesario, Viola follows his order and agrees to fulfill the request.

Viola is also in love with Orsino and is hesitant to deliver in the back of Orsino's absence as she thinks Olivia might start liking her disguised as men. Viola then reaches Olivia's House and her Perception; Olivia likes her Presence of mind and her smartness in men's outfits. But Viola still tries convincing Olivia of Duke's Love, and until then, a new character comes into play. Sir Thoby Belch, playing Olivia's uncle, is seen as a drinker accompanying his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek.

In another area of Illyria City, Sebastian is seen roaming in the city as he somehow managed to survive the shipwreck, and he thinks that her sister might have drawn and is not alive. Unaware of the incidents, he decides to go to Duke s palace and seek help.

Act 2

The most critical and breath storming part of the Play is Act 2, in this part of the play;

In this part, while Viola, disguised as Cesario, tries convincing Olivia of the Duke's love, most of Olivia's family members, including her uncle Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and her Servant Maria, want her to marry Malvolio.

Meanwhile, they together decide to trick Malvolio into thinking that Olivia loves him, seeking his attention and advising him to dress appropriately before coming to meet Olivia.

Act 3

In this part of the play, Sir Andrew becomes jealous of Cesario, and Mr. Andrew decides to declare a tussle with Cesario/ Viola.

In the last part of the play, we can see Antonio, who became Sebastian's friend, come and tries protecting Cesario, misunderstanding her as Sebastian as both the siblings look the same and also the get up of Viola in Cesario is most likely a man, so it was evident for anyone who has met them once or twice to not easily distinguishing between them.

Later, Sebastian comes into play; Sir Andrew misunderstands Cesario and Challenges him to a fight. For reader's information, Sebastian, a highly trained Combat fighter, obviously wins the fight and is again misunderstood as Cesario by Olivia, the beautiful lady who invites him to the house.

After that, Olivia and Sebastian get married and live life, and here Act 3 ends.

Act 4

In act 4, Malvolio, considered Physiologically mad, is seen in Dungeon. He is even more tortured by three members Maria, Sir Toby, and Feste, the court Fool. They together think of a method to convince Malvolio in a torture room.

They make Feste, a priest, present him in front of Malvolio and make him believe that even a priest believes in him and his madness ideas. This torture goes on for some time.

But, they now regret their idea and decide to allow him to write a letter to Olivia, the noblewoman he serves for in mercy.

Act 5

When Antonio sees Cesario while speaking with Orsino, he accuses him of betraying him. The honest Sebastian then shows up and apologizes for fighting Sir Toby. The twins recognize one another and learn that they are both still alive. Feste, Orsino's fool, brings a letter from Malvolio, and after he is set free, Maria's letter is shown to be fake. Malvolio leaves with a vow of retribution. Maria and Sir Toby were already married as a result of the steward's eviction plot being successful.

As Orsino sanctions Olivia and Sebastian's union, the play ends. Orsino pledges that after Viola is clothed as a woman again, they will marry. He realizes his attraction to 'Cesario.'