An Introduction by Brian Yablon

The Holiday A festival or holiday celebrated by some branches of Christianity that ends the Twelve Days of Christmas and marks the coming of Epiphany. Either January 5th or 6th.

Text Written between 1599 and First recorded performance was February First published in the First Folio of 1623, probably based on Foul Papers, but is the earliest known text of the play.

Sources The main source was Farewell to Militarie Profession, 1581, by Barnabe Rich. This was taken from Francois Belleforest’s Histoires Tragiques, This was taken from Batteo Bandello’s Novelle, This was taken from the anonymous G’Ingannati, 1530s.

Things to Consider Twelfth Night was the last of Shakespeare’s three “mature” comedies: Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like it. It is a light comedy but has some very dark aspects to it. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet after finishing this play.

Theatrical History First performed at the Inns of Court on February 2, After Shakespeare’s death, it was performed for King James I in 1618 and A very popular play, it was performed consistently since written.

Act 1, Scene 1 Duke Orsino of Illyria adores Olivia. Olivia, however, says she’ll spend seven years mourning her dead brother. Orsino hopes some of her passion and dedication will turn toward him someday.

Act 1, Scene 2 Viola is shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother (presumed dead). The ship’s captain tells Viola about Illyria, Orsino, and Olivia. Viola gets the captain to disguise her and help her gain service with Orsino.

Act 1, Scene 3 Sir Toby Belch (Olivia’s uncle) complains to chambermaid Maria. She advises that he and Sir Andrew Aguecheek live more calmly. Andrew threatens to leave but Toby convinces him to stay and continue to court Olivia.

Act 1, Scene 4 Orsino’s messenger Valentine (disguised as Cesario) that Orsino likes him. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia for him. Viola falls in love with Orsino, notices the irony of her situation.

Act 1, Scene 5 Maria, then Malvolio, scold Feste for disappearing. Olivia forgives him. Cesario arrives to woo Olivia -- and will not be sent away. Olivia meets Cesario, falls in love with him. Cesario leaves, Malvolio follows with a ring.

Act 2, Scene 1 Sebastian tells Antonio that his sister has died. Sebastian plans to visit Orsino; Antonio is to stay behind. Antonio follows Sebastian, although he ventures into danger due to enmity in Orsino’s court.

Act 2, Scene 2 Malvolio gives Olivia’s ring to Cesario (Viola). Viola realizes the situation: Olivia loves her, she loves Orsino, and Orsino loves Olivia.

Act 2, Scene 3 Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste party drunkenly. Maria and Malvolio scold them. Sir Toby rebukes Malvolio, who threatens them all. Maria suggests revenge on Malvolio via fake love letters from Olivia.

Act 2, Scene 4 Orsino talks about love with Cesario (Viola). Viola talks about love with Orsino. Feste sings. Orsino sends Cesario on another mission to Olivia.

Act 2, Scene 5 The conspirators leave a fake love note for Malvolio to find. He finds it and predictably agrees to follow the odd instructions in it. The conspirators congratulate themselves on their success.

Act 3, Scene 1 Cesario (Viola) verbally spars with Feste. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew take her to Olivia. Olivia confesses her love for Cesario. Cesario rejects her.

Act 3, Scene 2 Sir Andrew wants to leave but Sir Toby convinces him to fight Cesario instead. Sir Toby jokes with Fabian about the two cowards dueling. Maria announces that Malvolio is ridiculously dressed. They all go to see him.

Act 3, Scene 3 Sebastian is glad that Antonio has rejoined him. Antonio hides in an inn because he was once an enemy of Illyria.

Act 3, Scene 4 Malvolio flirts with Olivia, who thinks he’s crazy. She insists he be taken care of, but the plotters plan to lock him up as a lunatic.

Continued Sir Andrew writes a foolish challenge to Cesario. Olivia and Viola enter; Olivia professes love while Viola tries to redirect it toward Orsino. Sir Toby gives his version of the challenge to Cesario, who is scared and tries to excuse himself from the duel.

And More… Sir Toby gets Sir Andrew. The duel begins but Antonio enters and fights on Cesario’s behalf (thinking he is Sebastian). Some officers arrive and arrest Antonio, who then asks for money from Cesario. Cesario doesn’t give him the money because he doesn’t recognize Antonio.

And then… Antonio curses Cesario, calling him Sebastian. Viola/Cesario realizes her brother is alive, then leaves happily. Sir Toby points out to Sir Andrew that Cesario is a coward, so Sir Andrew tries to continue the duel.

Act 4, Scene 1 Feste mistakes Sebastian for Cesario is surprised. Sir Andrew enters and mistakes him as well. Sir Andrew hits Sebastian, who then beats Sir Andrew. Sir Toby enters and they draw swords. Olivia arrives, stops the fight, and invites Sebastian inside. He follows.

Act 4, Scene 2 Feste disguises himself and taunts Malvolio in prison. Sir Toby ends the punishment because he’s in trouble with Olivia. Feste returns to Malvolio, undisguised, and agrees to help him.

Act 4, Scene 3 Sebastian wonders happily that he is loved by a beautiful noblewoman. Olivia appears with a priest and suggests they get married. Sebastian agrees.

Act 5, Scene 1 Orsino visits Olivia. Antonio appears, in custody. Antonio tells of Sebastian’s disloyalty but Orsino doesn’t believe him because Cesario was with him (Orsino) during the time of “disloyalty.”

Continued... Olivia arrives and rejects Orsino. Orsino threatens to kill Cesario because of Olivia’s and his fondness for Cesario (while he suffers the melodramatic pain of sacrifice).

Then… Viola says she will die for Orsino. Olivia identifies Viola (Cesario, Sebastian) as her husband. Viola denies this. Olivia calls for the priest, who testifies to the marriage.

And then… Sir Andrew and Sir Toby appear, beaten. Sebastian arrives and confuses everyone. Viola and Sebastian recognize each other and celebrate.

Then… Orsino declares he’ll marry Viola. Malvolio enters, showing the letter from Olivia. Olivia realizes that Maria wrote it. Fabian defends Maria, says Sir Toby hatched the plot.

Finally Fabian informs them that Sir Toby has married Maria. Malvolio leaves, vowing revenge. Orsino declares a double wedding. Feste ends the play with a song.

Strange Bedfellows Sebastian is the only clearly identified sexual creature, and his appearance brings order to the sexual lives of the other characters.

Symbols and Themes Costumes and Identity Hallucination and madness Hunting

Identity Crisis Desire and Love Melancholy Madness Deception, Disguise, and Performance Gender and Sexual Identity Class, Masters, Servants

Happy Endings True love sees the soul Brotherly and romantic love are foolish at times Loves vexes and presents pitfalls Love ultimately triumphs Carpe diem

Names Mal = bad or evil, malicious Volio = I wish or I desire Toby = jug or mug resembling a fat man Belch = burp Feste = jolly, festive Sebastian = Saint Sebastian (almost killed but returns to life) Ague = fever Cheek = side of face