Twelfth Night: Summary of Acts 1-3

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Summary of Acts I-III

Act I

The comedy begins in Illyria, a fictional country on the “eastern Adriatic Coast,” according to one editor (Greenblatt 1080). Duke Orsino professes his love for the Countess Olivia. His messenger Valentine says that Olivia will not accept the Duke’s messages, since she is in mourning.

 Elsewhere, Lady Viola and a sea captain discuss the captain’s rescue of Viola from a ship wreck, as well as their present location in Illyria. Viola decides to disguise herself as a eunuch; she asks the captain to present her for employment to Duke Orsino.

 At a nearby location, Maria, Olivia’s lady-in-waiting, berates Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, for his raucous behavior and foolish companionship with Sir Andrew Aguecheek. As a guest in Olivia’s household, Sir Toby is annoying Olivia. Sir Andrew arrives and meets Maria in a comical exchange.  Sir Andrew wants to leave Illyria; his courtship of Olivia has been unsuccessful. However, Sir Toby dissuades him and convinced him to stay “a month longer” (Shakespeare 1085).

Fortunately for Viola, she gains a place and favor in Orsino’s court as Cesario, an attendant and messenger. Cesario agrees to court Olivia on Orsino’s behalf. Privately, Viola/Cesario confesses her attraction to Orsino.

In Olivia’s house, Maria scolds Feste, the jester, for his recent absence. They enjoy a clever exchange. After Olivia appears and orders Feste’s removal as a “fool” (1088), Feste verbally shows that she is the foolish one. When Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, enters, both Feste and Olivia denigrate his pompous nature. Shortly thereafter, a drunken Sir Toby announces that a messenger (Cesario) has arrived from Orsino, and Malvolio confirms this. Although Olivia shows reluctance, she finally agrees to see Cesario/Viola. Olivia recognizes Orsino’s attributes, but she rejects his suit; Olivia also asks Cesario to return and admits her attraction for the young man. After he leaves, Olivia sends Malvolio after Cesario to return a fictitious ring that Cesario has supposedly left behind.  Olivia believes that Cesario will therefore return.

Act II

Sebastian, Viola’s twin brother, has miraculously survived the aforementioned ship wreck. Another sea captain, Antonio, states his admiration for Sebastian and asks to be Sebastian’s servant. Sebastian agrees and plans to visit Count Orsino, while Antonio must hide himself from enemies there.

Cesario (Viola) meets with Malvolio and pretends that she did indeed give Olivia the ring. After Malvolio tosses down the ring and leaves, Viola shows regret for the complicated situation and her attraction for Orsino.

Early in the morning, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste enjoy noisy revelry. Maria comes in to warn them about their conduct, without much success. Maria and the “gentlemen” plan to play a trick on the pompous Malvolio by leaving a forged letter from Olivia for Malvolio to find. The document hints at Olivia’s attraction for Malvolio, a lie that only the conceited Malvolio can believe. The party continues.

Later in the morning, Duke Orsino asks for music. Feste, who happens to be there, is summoned to entertain, and Feste sings about a man who longs for death after unrequited love. When Orsino and Cesario (Viola) are alone, Cesario “discusses” his past, and Orsino reiterates his love for Olivia. He sends Cesario back to Olivia with a jewel for her.

Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Fabian, and Maria hide near the forged “love letter” for Malvolio. As predicted, Malvolio is duped by the letter and vows to follow its advice, advice that runs contrary to Olivia’s character. All of the tricksters enjoy Malvolio’s deception.

Act III

Feste and Cesario (Viola) exchange jokes. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew arrive to announce that Olivia wants a meeting with Cesario (Viola). Olivia and Maria enter, and all but Cesario and Olivia leave. Olivia admits her attraction for Cesario but apologizes for her forward conduct. Cesario says that no woman claims her heart, ironically, and that he will stop pressing Orsino’s suit to Olivia.

Sir Andrew, rejected by Olivia, prepares to leave. Fabian convinces him to stay and to confront Orsino, thereby winning Olivia’s favor. Maria reports on Malvolio’s idiotic conduct after receiving the letter.

Sebastian and Antonio plan their activities in Illyria. Since Antonio cannot move about freely, due to his enemies’ presence, he will rent space at an inn, The Elephant, while Sebastian will take Antonio’s money to shop and explore for a short time.

Olivia alternates between privately worrying about her feelings for Cesario and gathering information from Maria about Malvolio’s ridiculous behavior, which he confirms when he arrives and quotes passages from the fake letter. Olivia thinks Malvolio is insane and asks a servant to observe and protect him. Sir Toby, Fabian and Maria talk to Malvolio and incur his superior wrath. After the steward leaves, they plan his future as a madman.

To be continued