twelfth night play by william shakespeare

Sir Andrew also tries to win Olivia’s love and challenges Cesario for a fight to impress her. On the other hand, Malvolio begins to believe that and makes a fool of him.įurthermore, Olivia openly declares her love for Cesario when she again meets her to convey Orisino’s message. They start dropping love letters on his path and try to show that Olivia loves him. In the middle of this love triangle, Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch his foolish friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Olivia’s maid, Maria starts making the head servant, Malvolio, a fool. Ironically, Olivia listens to the Duke’s letter very carefully not because of his emotions for her but because she falls in love with Cesario who is really Viola disguised. He sends her as a messenger to Olivia’s house to tell her about his deep love for her. The Duke is impressed by her good looks and polite speech. Viola disguises herself as a man, names herself Cesario and starts working in the household of Young Duke, Orisino as his personal attendant.

He tells her about the Duke Orisino and Olivia. Viola survives and finds herself in the shores of Illyria where she meets a sea captain. The ship sinks because of a huge storm in the sea, in which a brother sister twins are separated. Viola, a young and attractive girl, is introduced as a survivor of a shipwreck. The play opens with Orisino, the Duke of Illyria, expressing his love for Olivia, a rich countess who is mourning the death of her young brother. The play features many characters including a female protagonist who disguises herself as a man. This play is named as Twelfth Night because it was performed on the twelfth day of Christmas.

Olivia: Why, then, methinks ’tis time to smile again.Characteristics of Hamlet | William Shakespeare

Viola: No, not a grise for ’tis a vulgar proof That very oft we pity enemies. What might you think? Have you not set mine honour at the stake, And baited it with all th’unmuzzled thoughts That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving Enough is shown a cypress, not a bosom, Hideth my heart: so, let me hear you speak. Under your hard construction must I sit, To force that on you, in a shameful cunning, Which you knew none of yours. So did I abuse Myself, my servant, and, I fear me, you. I did send, After the last enchantment you did here, A ring in chase of you. Olivia: O by your leave, I pray you! I bade you never speak again of him But would you undertake another suit I had rather hear you to solicit that, Than music from the spheres. Viola: Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts On his behalf.

Twelfth night play by william shakespeare