Twelfth Night: Synopsis
It's time to dive into our second play! To cleanse our palates of the murder and mayhem of Macbeth, we are switching to one of Shakespeare's comedies: Twelfth Night!
As with Macbeth, we are starting off with a summary of the action in the play--just in case it has been a while since you've read the play or if you are unfamiliar with it.
Elyse Sharp (ES): Hi Korey!
Kourtney Smith (KS): Hi Elyse! How are you doing today?
ES: Uh - I’m doing pretty well. How are you?
KS: I’m excited because we are moving on to our next play in the Shakespeare Anyone? series. Can you believe that?
ES: No.
KS: No.
ES: I’m excited that it’s here though. We are going to be talking about Twelfth Night!
KS: We are stepping away–
ES: Drum roll please…
KS: Yes, drum roll please: Twelfth Night! We are stepping away from the murder and mayhem of Macbeth and other tragedies and decided let’s have a palette cleanser. Right?
ES: You know what? Tragedies can be a bit of a bummer, so let’s not do another bummer back to back with that ol’ murder and treason play, Macbeth. Let’s do something fun and, uh–
KS: Lighthearted.
ES: And, uh, Twelfth Night is one of your favorite plays, correct?
KS: I do, yeah, going back and forth between Twelfth Night and As You Like It and at the end of the day, I will admit, part of why I really wanted to do Twelfth Night is because, as a teenager, She’s the Man was one of my favorite movies? Favorite comedies?
ES: Yes!
KS: And that is the inspiration, the basis for that movie and Twelfth Night also just has so much fun mistaken identity, love, uh, the uncertainty of gender. There’s just a lot of fun–
ES: A whole plot point based around a prank on someone.
KS: Yes. Yes.
ES: Like…
KS: Like, like… what is that Shakespeare?
ES: It’s a good time.
KS: Yes.
ES: Like Macbeth, we are going to start with a synopsis. And then, we’ll have an episode on stuff to chew on. Major themes. Things that people usually talk about.
KS: Right.
ES: And then we’ll do a series. A few episodes focusing on going a little bit deeper into some of those aspects of this play.
KS: Yeah!
ES: Shall we?
KS: Let’s! This play starts with Orsino, the Duke of Illyria, yearning to one of his gentlemen, Curio, as well as other lords, for an excess of love. The first line of this play is from the famous “If music be the food of love, play on” speech. Curio then asks Orsino if he will go hunt the hart (h-a-r-t, as in stag). Orsino misinterprets the meaning for h-e-a-r-t and brings up his desire for Olivia, a countess, who doesn’t seem interested in his pursuits. Another gentleman, Valentine, enters with bad news. He was unable to deliver a message to Olivia (presumably from Orsino). But Olivia’s lady’s maid did tell Valentine this: Olivia is currently in deep mourning due to the death of her brother. While Orsino admires Olivia for the love she shows her dead brother, he wishes her sorrow wouldn’t kill all her other feelings of love she might have -- specifically for him. He then announces he will leave to go hang out in a shady place to contemplate love.
ES: We then head to an unspecified location to meet Viola, a Captain and some non-speaking sailors. Now I do want to point out that in some productions, starting around the 18th century and up to now, this scene and the previous are sometimes inverted. This swap has been credited to companies choosing the potency of beginning a play with a storm rather than a discussion. And… a man whining about love.
KS: Mhm. (laughs)
ES: But the Arden Third Edition places Viola’s first appearance as act one scene two. So that’s what we’re going with. Viola asks the Captain where they are and the Captain tells her they are in Illyria. They have a conversation that provides exposition explaining how they got to Illyria in the first place. We learn that they were shipwrecked from a storm. This storm separated Viola from her twin brother, Sebastian, who she fears has drowned. The Captain assures her that he might be alive, seeing as he watched Sebastian ride the waves on a mast that remained afloat.
KS: Viola then asks the Captain if he knows this country and he replies yes, he grew up three hours away! The country is ruled by a noble duke named Orsino. The Captain shares the hot gossip that Orsino is a bachelor who seeks the love of Olivia, who is the daughter of a count who died a year ago. Her brother then died shortly after. Due to this, she refuses the sight of men. Viola then expresses an interest in serving Olivia as a way to disguise her identity and social status for the time being. The Captain responds that it won’t be possible because Olivia won’t even admit the duke. Viola then asks the Captain to help her with a schemES: to disguise her identity so she can serve the duke. She tells the Captain he can present Viola as a eunuch. The Captain agrees, and they exit.
ES: We then head to a third location: Olivia’s household. There we meet Sir Toby, a relative of Olivia’s, and her lady’s maid, Maria. Sir Toby complains that Olivia’s sadness over her brother’s death is restricting his own revelries. To which, Maria lectures Sir Toby on his late night drinking escapades. She brings up Sir Toby’s guest, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a knight he invited over late one night to woo Olivia. Sir Toby responds that Sir Andrew is a valiant (and wealthy) man who plays the viola da gamba and can speak every language by heart. Maria counters that Sir Andew is a fool and a cowardly braggart. Plus he is Sir Toby’s drinking buddy!
KS: Sir Andrew enters, right on cue. Sir Toby introduces Sir Andrew to Maria. Sir Toby convinces Sir Andrew he should accost, or talk to, Maria. Sir Andrew misinterprets Sir Toby’s meaning of accost as “have sex with” and so begins a conversation which includes lots of word play where Maria implies Sir Andrew is a fool and jokes about his sex drive, which he completely misses. Maria then exits and Sir Andrew confides in Sir Toby that he doesn’t think of himself as smart. Sir Toby agees. Sir Andrew then expresses regret for not learning the arts the way he learned to fence, dance and bear-bait. Sir Andrew then goes on to say he will head home tomorrow because Olivia isn’t interested in him. Sir Toby assures him there’s still hope for him and Olivia. Now hopeful, Sir Andrew decides to stay another month and expresses interest in finding a party so he can go dancing. Sir Andrew brags to Sir Toby about his dancing skills, to which Sir Toby pokes fun at him by emphatically praising his abilities! (And, yes, Sir Andrew comically shows off his dancing in this scene). Sir Andrew, emboldened by dance, suggests the two go to a revel. Sir Toby agrees. They exit.
ES: Now we head back to Duke Orsino’s household to find Valentine and a cross-dressing Viola (being referred to as “Cesario”) in conversation. And I want to point out that, moving forward, we will refer to Viola as Viola and use she/her pronouns when she is presenting as feminine or when all characters on stage know she is a woman and use he/him pronouns when the character presents as male. So, here we go. Valentine tells Cesario that Orsino thinks quite favorably of him, even though he’s only been in the duke’s service for three days. Then Orsino enters with Curio and his attendants. Orsino tells Cesario that he has a mission for him: go to Olivia and deliver a messagES: the passion of his love. And do not return empty handed! Orsino thinks Olivia will accept the message more favorably if the youthful Cesario delivers it instead of one of his “graver” messengers. Cesario does not think Olivia will admit him. To this, Orsino assures him they will admit him and breaks down why: he is young and looks quite feminine. This passage plays on the theatrical construct of Shakespeare’s time when a boy actor played the part of girl Viola disguised as boy Cesario. Cesario accepts Orsino’s mission: he will try to woo Olivia. Then Viola turns to the audience to admit she is wrapped up in an internal strugglES: she has to woo a wife for Orsino, while she herself would like to be Orsino’s wife.
KS: We are back at Olivia’s house with Maria and Feste, Olivia’s court jester, in conversation about how Feste is in hot water with Olivia because of his unknown absence from the house. Maria prods him to tell her where he’s been. But he refuses, even if it causes him to lose his job. Olivia, Malvolio (her steward), and her attendants enter. Maria advises Feste to tell Olivia of his whereabouts and she exits. Feste then pumps himself up to entertain Olivia advising himself “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.”
ES: Feste greets an upset Olivia who demands the guards take the fool away; to which Feste jests that the guards should take the lady away (He’s calling Olivia the fool instead). Olivia tells Feste he is a dry (or dull) fool, and he’s unreliable due to his truancy. Feste jokes that, in order to fix this problem, she should give the dry fool a drink and says she should let him fix himself. She won’t budge. Feste begs Olivia to understand he is only a fool in profession, not by nature, and he can prove it. In order to prove it, Feste must first interrogate Olivia. She has nothing better to do, so, sure, she’ll endure it. Feste asks her why she is mourning. She says it’s because of her brother’s death. Feste points out that she shouldn’t mourn for her brother’s soul if he’s in heaven, not hell, and (again) demands the guards take the fool (Olivia) away! Olivia asks Malvolio if he thinks Feste’s jests have improved. Malvolio replies that yes, and his foolishness will continue to improve as he develops an illness that will reduce his cleverness and make him even more foolish. Feste turns it back on Malvolio by hoping God sends him an illness to improve his own folly. Feste points out that, while he himself is a fool by profession, Malvolio is a fool by nature. Malvolio cannot believe Olivia takes joy in such a dull fool.
KS: Maria enters and announces there’s a young man who wants to speak with her. He and his attendants are waiting with a drunk Sir Toby. Olivia orders Maria to get Sir Toby away from the group. She also orders Malvolio that, if the gentleman is from Orsino, he make an excuse like she is sick or not at home. Olivia and Feste are left alone on stage and start to engage in a conversation when Sir Toby enters, super drunk. Olivia asks who the gentleman is, but Sir Toby is too drunk to give a clear answer. He burps and blames it on pickled herring and then completely mishears Olivia and exits without answering Olivia’s question. Olivia sends Feste off to babysit Sir Toby.
ES: Malvolio returns and tells Olivia the visitor insists he will speak with her. Even though Malvolio said Olivia is sick and that she is asleep, neither excuse worked. The visitor insists he will stay and wait until he speaks with her. Olivia then asks Malvolio to describe the visitor. Malvolio compares the visitor to Narcissus, an androgynous, young and beautiful creature somewhere between a boy and a man. Olivia decides to let the visitor in, so Malvolio calls on Maria. Maria covers Olivia’s face with her veil (for mourning) and prepares herself to once more hear of Orsino’s mission.
KS: Viola enters as Cesario. Remember, when Viola is playing the part of Cesario, we will refer to her as “Cesario” and use he/him pronouns. This part of the scene has an overflow of theatrical jargon as Viola plays the role assigned to her by Orsino. Cesario asks if Olivia (in her veil) is the lady of the house. Olivia does not reveal her identity and responds that Cesario can deliver the message to her and she will speak for the lady. Cesario does not want to waste his excellently memorized speech on anyone but the lady. Olivia asks where Cesario came from, but Cesario refuses to say any more than his speech. Olivia finally reveals that she is the lady of the house and tells Cesario that they only let him in to wonder at him so, if he is mad, please leave. But if he has something to say, be quick. Cesario says he will speak only to Olivia. What he has to say is only for her ears. Olivia gives in and dismisses Maria and her attendants.
ES: Cesario finally begins his memorized speech, but Olivia interrupts him to ask where this text comes from. Cesario responds: from Orsino’s heart. Olivia dismisses this response. She asks if Cesario has anything else to say. Cesario goes off-script and asks to see Olivia’s face. Olivia lifts her veil to reveal her beautiful face. Cesario compliments her looks and tells her it’s a shame she will not pass down her good looks to any children. Olivia begins to catalog her own looks (“item, two lips”... “item, two grey eyes”... “item, one neck”) and accuses Cesario of evaluating her. Cesario calls Olivia out for being proud, especially when his master loves her. Olivia asks how Orsino loves her. Cesario responds that Orsino loves Olivia passionately. Olivia tells Cesario that Orsino already knows her thoughts. She compliments the duke, but says ultimately she cannot love him. Cesario then goes super off-script and tells Olivia if he loved Olivia with the same passion as Orsino, he too would not be able to understand it. Olivia asks why and Cesario delivers a speech about all the pitiable sorrow he would feel if she didn’t reciprocate his love.
KS: Olivia then changes the subject and asks Cesario about his parents. Cesario responds that he is better born than his current circumstances suggest. Olivia then sends Cesario back to Orsino to tell him that she cannot love him and to stop sending messengers. Although, she wouldn't mind if Cesario came back to tell her how Orsino took the message. Cesario scolds Olivia for her coldness towards his master and then exits. Olivia then swoons over Cesario. She quickly stops herself and tells herself to slow down. She questions how quickly someone can fall in love and thinks love might have crept up on her just because of Cesario’s looks. Olivia then calls on Malvolio to deliver a message to Cesario: he should come back tomorrow. She also gives Malvolio a ring to give back to Cesario. But--Cesario didn’t bring a ring with him! Malvolio exits and leaves Olivia on-stage to tell the audience that she is afraid she is relying more on what she sees than what she thinks -- but she wants fate to show her what’s to be.
ES: Now, it’s time to meet two new characters: Sebastian and Antonio. They are in an unspecified location in Illyria, much like the first scene with Viola. Sebastian, we quickly learn, is Viola’s twin brother--who she thinks drowned. He thinks Viola drowned. We learn Antonio is a pirate who rescued Sebastian from drowning. This scene very much mirrors Viola’s scene with the sea captain in order to underscore the bond between the separated twins, except it has the added bonus of friendship (or romance) between the two characters. Sebastian heads to Orsino’s court. Antonio is left onstage, weighing whether or not he should follow Sebastian. Apparently, he has some mysterious enemies in Orsino’s court. However, his adoration for Sebastian leads Antonio to follow him.
KS: Then, we head to another unspecified location. However it is probably close by to Olivia’s house, as this scene is the follow-up to Olivia’s instructions to Malvolio. Malvolio enters going one direction while Cesario enters from another, suggesting that Malvolio has been searching for Cesario and has finally caught up with him. Malvolio tells Cesario that Olivia is returning the ring Cesario gave her. Cesario says that he gave no ring to Olivia, so Malvolio throws it at Cesario’s feet. Left alone onstage, Viola drops the pretense of Cesario as she picks up the ring and realizes that Olivia has affections for Cesario. Viola curses her disguise – in the only instance in Shakespeare where a cross-dressing heroine questions the morality of her disguise – and is at a loss about what she will do. She leaves it up to time, as the situation is too complicated for her to figure out.
ES: Now, we are back in Olivia’s household with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. This scene was traditionally set in the kitchen, so feel free to imagine that. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew have been drinking and Sir Toby is quoting some traditional proverbs that were taught in English grammar schools – and Sir Andrew doesn’t get it, which suggests his lack of education. Feste enters, and Sir Andrew and Sir Toby implore him for a song or a round of joke telling. Feste jokes a little and sings a love song. Then there’s more joking and the start of another song when Maria enters, scolding the trio for their loudness. She says she is surprised Malvolio hasn’t shown up already to kick them out of the house for being so raucous. Sir Toby begins to sing as Malvolio shows up, complaining about the noise at this time of night and saying that it is disrupting the household. He’s a Karen. Sir Toby tells Malvolio to “Sneck up” – which is basically the same as “eff off.” Then, Sir Toby and Feste continue to sing and, ultimately, get Malvolio to “sneck up.”
KS: Sir Toby and Sir Andrew consider challenging Malvolio to a duel, but Maria pipes up that she could easily trick Malvolio and make him look like an idiot. Maria shares with the two knights that Malvolio is supposedly some kind of Puritan, but she casts doubts on the sincerity of his piety. She suggests Malvolio is just an opportunist and is pretending to be a Puritan because it serves his interests. She wants to trick him into showing that he is just as full of vice as everyone he looks down on. So, she plans to write several love letters that appear to be written by Olivia about Malvolio and drop them where Malvolio will be sure to pick them up. She tells Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste that she will tell them where she plans to drop the letter so that they can observe Malvolio finding it. Maria exits, and Sir Toby and Sir Andrew leave to continue drinking, as it is now too late to go to bed.
ES: Next, we are back at Orsino’s. Orsino asks for a piece of music that he delighted in last night to be played again, but Curio informs him that Feste, who sang it, isn’t in the room but is somewhere around the house. Curio is sent to go find Feste. Orsino engages Cesario in a discussion about love, asking Cesario if there are any ladies he likes. Cesario describes a woman very much like Orsino, who does not catch on to this veiled confession of love. Curio returns with Feste, who sings and jokes and then is paid and leaves. Orsino tells everyone else to leave but calls Cesario back to stay. He tells Cesario to return to Olivia and continue to implore her on Orsino’s behalf. Cesario counters that what if Olivia cannot love Orsino? Orsino says he won’t take no for an answer. Cesario tries to use reason: what if a woman loved Orsino as much as he loves Olivia but he didn’t like her – wouldn’t he want her to take no for an answer? Orsino says that women can’t love as hard as men can, so that could never happen. Cesario tells Orsino that he knows women can indeed love as hard as men can – he says he had a sister who pined herself to death over a man as he is all the daughters and sons of his father’s house. Remember, Cesario doesn’t know that his brother is actually alive, and Cesario is actually the sister who is actively pining over Orsino. Cesario leaves to go woo Olivia for Orsino, and Orsino gives him a piece of jewelry to give Olivia.
KS: Back at Olivia’s, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are talking with Fabian, who is either another servant in Olivia’s household, or an Italian visitor. They have brought Fabian along to see Maria’s trick for Malvolio, as Fabian is also not a fan of Malvolio. Apparently, Malvolio got Fabian in trouble with Olivia because Fabian went to see some bear-baiting. Maria enters with a letter. She tells the men to hide, as Malvolio is just behind her on the walk, and she drops the letter before exiting. Malvolio enters, talking to himself about how Maria once told him that Olivia was attracted to him. He begins to imagine what life would be like if he married Olivia, while Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian watch and provide colorful commentary from a distance.
ES: Malvolio spies the letter and picks it up. He believes the handwriting is Olivia’s and makes one of the dirtiest double innuendos in the canon. He references her c’s, her u’s, and t’s – cut was slang for female genitalia (and similar in usage to the modern slang that adds an n to the middle of the word cut) – ”and thus makes she her great P’s.” Sir Andrew does not get the joke. In the contents of the letter, Malvolio finds a poem that he reasons is a love-poem for him, as well as instructions that should the subject of the poem find the letter and wish to change his state, he should begin to act eccentrically and wear yellow stockings with cross-garters. He resolves to be all that the letter asks him to be – which includes smiling always in Olivia’s presence – and leaves. Fabian, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew begin to praise Maria’s trick as she re-enters. She explains that Olivia hates yellow and cross-garters and is so melancholy that if Malvolio is constantly smiling around her, she will grow to despise him. The foursome exits, looking forward to seeing Malvolio make a fool of himself.
KS: We head back to Olivia’s garden where Viola and Feste engage in verbal fooling about Feste’s profession and his living situation. They then question the reliability of language as a representation of truth, which was a much debated topic during Shakespeare’s time. We then learn Feste does not care for Cesario. There may be a degree of hostility between Cesario and the clown over Cesario’s new role as go-between between Orsino and Olivia, which is Feste’s role. Cesario pays Feste for his jests and Feste exits. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew enter and Sir Andrew greets Cesario in French. Cesario responds back in French, a possible nod to Viola’s genteel upbringing. Sir Toby asks if Cesario is here to see his niece. Cesario says yes and Sir Toby invites Cesario to enter. Just then, Olivia and Maria enter. Cesario asks to speak with Olivia. Olivia dismisses everyone.
ES: Alone on stage, Olivia asks Cesario for his name. Cesario gives his name and refers to himself as her servant. Olivia counters that he is Orsino’s servant. Cesario responds that because he is Orsino’s servant, he is also Olivia’s. Olivia does not want to talk of Orsino anymore. Then Olivia admits that she roped a bunch of people into the ring scheme as a tool to pursue Cesario. She asks Cesario what he thinks of it, and then compares her honor to a bear tied to a pole in a bear-baiting event. Cesario admits he pities her. Olivia pities herself and asks Cesario to leave, to which Cesario agrees and asks if she wants to send a message to his master. Olivia then changes her mind and asks Cesario to stay and tell her what he thinks of her. Cesario tells her that he thinks she thinks she is not what she actually is. And Cesario also admits that he is not what she thinks he is. Olivia says in an aside to the audience that Cesario’s rejection of her has intensified her passion for him. She then turns back to Cesario and blurts out an admission of love. Cesario rebutts that no woman has, nor never shall any woman, aside from himself, have his heart. Cesario dismisses himself and says he will never again return to speak of Orsino’s love for her. Olivia invites him back to convince her to like Orsino.
KS: We now head to another room in Olivia’s house and join Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian. Sir Andrew exclaims that he will not stay any longer. The reason is that he saw Olivia showing goodwill (possibly an interest) in Cesario in the garden. Fabian flips the situation on its head and says it's proof of her love for him! He argues this interest in Cesario is only to light a fire in Sir Andrew. Now the only thing to do? Challenge Cesario to a fight. Sir Toby agrees that he must go write a stern and curt letter to challenge him. Sir Andrew is convinced -- and exits, presumably to write the letter. Fabian asks if Sir Toby will deliver the letter, and Sir Toby agrees. Maria then enters to tell Sir Toby and Fabian of the duped Malvolio -- he has become quite the renegade and is dawning yellow stockings that are, of course, cross-gartered as well! Malvolio seems to obey every part of the letter -- including smiling constantly. It’s such a sight to see that Maria can’t help but want to throw things at him. Sir Toby implores her to take them to Malvolio.
ES: We then head to an unspecified location -- traditionally set on a street -- for a continuation of Sebastian and Antonio’s earlier scene. Because Antonio is willing to go to the trouble of accompanying Sebastian, Sebastian has decided he will no longer reprimand him for his help. Antonio says his willing love for Sebastian is what made him follow him to Illyria. Now that they’re here, Sebastian wants to sight-see. Antonio thinks it's best to go back to their lodgings first because it is dangerous for him to walk openly in the streets. Apparently, Antonio had a run-in with Orsino’s navy. During this time, he and some members of his community stole Orsino’s property. Everyone but Antonio agreed to return the stolen items. Now, if he is found in the open, he will pay with his life. Antonio instead decides to let Sebastian borrow some money for his sight-seeing. When he is done, he will meet Antonio at the inn.
KS: We head back to Olivia’s garden with Olivia and Maria. Olivia has an aside to the audience where we learn she sent for Cesario. She wonders how she’ll impress him -- for youths are more easily wooed with a gift than by being begged. Olivia then asks Maria where Malvolio is. Maria says that Malvolio is on his way, but he’s in a strange and possessed mood. Not “mad”, but smiling… a lot. Maria leaves to fetch Malvolio. When Maria returns with Malvolio, he enters smiling... and also wearing the yellow stockings and the cross-gartering. Olivia is offended because she asked him here on a serious matter. She asks Malvolio what’s wrong. He says he is doing what he was asked. Olivia demands he go to bed, meaning to recover from his madness. Malvolio misinterprets this as a sexual advance that they go to bed -- together. Malvolio then recites the letter by heart. Olivia is clearly confused because she’s never heard these words before. At one point, she thinks he is referring to her as “mad” and a “servant”. In the midst of all of this, a servant enters to say Cesario has arrived. Olivia asks that Sir Toby be called to look after Malvolio and she will go meet Cesario.
KS: Malvolio is left on-stage to brag that everything in the letter is happening as expected. He has no doubts about the success of his situation! Just then, Sir Toby, Fabian and Maria enter. Malvolio demands that Fabian leave him be. Maria informs Malvolio that Sir Toby is sent to take care of him. Malvolio gets snippy with Maria and so Sir Toby takes over. He, Maria and Fabian begin talking about Malvolio as if he were possessed by the devil. They conclude he requires treatment for his madness. Malvolio insults all of them and runs away. The remaining three plot to act upon Olivia’s current belief that he is mad and lock him away in a dark room -- a common practice for madness in Shakespeare’s time -- at least until they get tired of their joke. Then, they will bring him to the bar to put him on trial for his madness.
ES: Just then, Sir Andrew enters with a letter challenging Cesario to a duel for Olivia’s love. Sir Toby reads the letter aloud while Fabian and Maria interject with backhanded compliments that poke fun at Sir Andrew’s intelligence and character. In this letter, Sir Andrew follows Sir Toby’s bad advice and everyone condescendingly applauds Sir Andrew’s work. Of course, Sir Andrew is the butt of the joke. And, of course, he doesn’t know it. Sir Toby sends Sir Andrew off-stage to keep watch for Cesario so that Sir Toby can deliver his letter. Last minute, Sir Toby changes his mind about delivering this boring letter. Instead, he is going to present the challenge to Cesario in-person so that he can paint Sir Andrew as a real threat and up the chances of a duel. Sir Toby, Maria and Fabian see Olivia and Cesario enter together, so they exit. Olivia pities herself for laying her honor out in the open so rashly to someone who is not receptive to her love. Cesario replies that Orsino is still pained with unrequited love. Olivia ignores this and asks Cesario to wear a miniature portrait of her, asks him to return tomorrow and then asks him what he would ask of her. Cesario says to love Orsino. Olivia asks how she could even love Orsino after everything with Cesario. Cesario says he will acquit her of that. Olivia still asks Cesario to come back tomorrow. She exits.
ES: Sir Toby and Fabian enter upon Olivia’s exit. Sir Toby warns Cesario to take up whatever defense is best for him because there is someone who Cesario has wronged that waits for him outside the garden. Cesario assures Sir Toby he must be mistaken -- he has wronged no man. Sir Toby says that’s not so. And if he values his life, be on guard, for his opponent has youth, strength, skill and wrath. Cesario confesses he is not a fighter and dismisses the challenge because his rival sounds like someone who just fights people to test his own strength. Sir Toby says no, the man has beef and, if he won’t accept the challenge, Sir Toby will also challenge Cesario in order to get him to accept the challenge! Cesario first wants to know what he did to offend this man because he didn’t know he did anything! Sir Toby agrees to go ask. He exits, leaving Cesario with Signoir Fabian. Cesario asks Signoir Fabian if he knows what type of man this is. Signor Fabian says that, while he doesn’t look dangerous, this man is a fatal opponent!
KS: Meanwhile, Sir Toby tells Sir Andrew all about his challenger, Cersario. Sir Toby builds up Cesario to be this devilish figure who it’s quite likely to kill him in a duel. Sir Andrew decides that he doesn’t want to duel anymore. So Sir Toby goes to relay the message. But, in an aside to the audience, he says he has another scheme to milk Sir Andrew for his money. Before Sir Toby relays the message, Sir Toby and Fabian get together and exchange that both Sir Andrew and Cesario are afraid of each other. Finally, Cesario and Sir Andrew are told that their opponent needs to keep their oath (due to the laws of being a gentleman) but that one will not hurt the other. Fun fact: It is the law of a duel that the challenged must fight, so the duel begins.
ES: As the duel begins, Antonio, the pirate who saved Sebastian from drowning, enters. Seeing that Cesario, who Antonio believes to be Sebastian, is being threatened by Sir Andrew, Antonio demands Sir Andrew put away his sword. If Sir Andrew’s opponent made any offense, Antonio declares he will fight Sir Andrew in his opponent’s place. At the same time, some officers enter to break up the duel. One of the officers recognizes Antonio from his days in Illyria. Again, mistaking Cesario for Sebastian, Antonio asks Cesario for some of his money, presumably to pay some legal fees, but Cesario doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Cesario says that, due to his kindness, he can give Antonio some money, although he doesn’t have much. Antonio is hurt that he is unmoved by all of the kindness Antonio believes he has done for him. Cesario says he doesn’t know him, but he does hate ingratitude in people. Antonio then says he saved this man from near death and that Sebastian (yes, he named him) is hard-hearted and not worth worshipping. He exits with the officers.
KS: Viola then speaks to the audience and says that she cannot believe what this man said. He named her brother -- Sebastian. So perhaps he survived the storm! She then shares that she models her cross-dressing on the image of her brother. If her brother survived, it would be a miracle of nature. She exits. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian are left on-stage to comment that it was cowardly for Cesario to deny his friend help. They exit to see how things unfold.
ES: We’re back in the streets of Illyria, and Sebastian has been mistaken for Cesario! Feste has been sent by Olivia to fetch Cesario and will not leave Sebastian alone. Feste doesn’t believe Sebastian’s claim that he is not Cesario. Sebastian pays Feste to leave him alone. Then, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian, who also mistake Sebastian for Cesario, enter. Sir Andrew walks right up to Sebastian and strikes him. Sebastian strikes back and is restrained by Sir Toby as Feste leaves to fetch Olivia. Sir Toby and Sebastian draw swords to duel, just as Olivia enters and stops them. She tells Sebastian, who she also believes to be Cesario, to come with her, as she will make him feel better by sharing stories of other pranks of Toby’s. Sebastian is bewildered, but he follows Olivia.
KS: Next, in a room in Olivia’s house, Maria is costuming Feste as a priest, with a gown and a beard, as part of their plot against Malvolio. Maria leaves while Feste dresses and brings back Sir Toby. Feste puts on a fake voice and addresses Malvolio, who is offstage in the “dark room” which is why this scene is often referred to as the “dark room scene.” Some modern productions use an on-stage cell and have Malvolio blindfolded so that the actor playing Malvolio can appear on stage. Feste pretends to be a priest named Sir Topas visiting the “sick” and “possessed” Malvolio. Sir Toby and Maria are pleased, and say that with Malvolio being unable to see and Feste being such a good actor, they really didn’t need the disguise.
ES: Sir Toby then tells Feste to return to Malvolio as himself to check on how Malvolio is doing. Sir Toby says that he can’t stay to watch and that they need to wrap this prank up soon, as he doesn’t want Olivia to be any angrier with him. Sir Toby tells Feste to come find him later. Feste talks with Malvolio. Malvolio denies that he is mad, and Feste convinces him that Sir Topas is still in the room. Feste switches back and forth between playing Sir Topas and being himself--as Sir Topas, he forbids himself, Feste, from continuing to talk to the mad Malvolio. Feste pretends that Sir Topas leaves, and Malvolio begs Feste for pen, paper, and light so he can write a letter to Olivia. Feste agrees to bring it to him.
KS: Now we are back to Sebastian, who is bewildered by all that has happened to him – he can’t believe his good fortune, like literally cannot believe it is real. He wishes for Antonio’s guidance because he isn’t sure if he is crazy or Olivia is. He logics that Olivia can’t be crazy because she has incredible authority over her house, but he knows something fishy is up. Olivia then enters with a priest (a real one this time, not Feste in a costume). She asks Sebastian, who she thinks is Cesario, to go with her to the chapel and exchange pre-marriage vows before the priest – a sort of contract that would make them common law spouses until they can have a public wedding. Because Olivia is a countess, she can’t have a secret wedding – so she wants the insurance of the pre-wedding with Sebastian, who she believes is a now-very-nice-to-her-Cesario. Sebastian agrees and they go to exchange vows.
ES: Now we are in Act 5, and over the course of one long and hectic scene, all of the plots and almost all of the characters will be brought together in the street in front of Olivia’s house. First up, Feste and Fabian are discussing the letter that Feste helped Malvolio to write. Fabian desperately wants to see the letter, and Feste refuses to let him see it. Orsino, Cesario, Curio, and other members of Orsino’s court enter. Orsino asks if Fabian and Feste belong to Olivia, and Feste makes a joke that they are her appendages, rather than dependents. Orsino admires Feste’s wit and pays him, then asks Feste to go and fetch Olivia. Feste leaves as Antonio enters with officers. Cesario says that Antonio is the one who rescued him--this further adds to the confusion between the twins as Cesario is referring to Antonio stopping the duel with Sir Andrew, but, as we know, Antonio also saved Sebastian from drowning.
KS: Orsino instantly recognizes Antonio as the captain of a tiny ship that engaged in incredibly destructive combat against the best ship in Orsino’s navy. One of the officers confirms that Antonio is the pirate who captured one of Orsino’s ships and boarded another. They say that they caught him in a skirmish in the streets. Cesario says that the skirmish was in defense of Cesario, though Antonio did say something very strange to Cesario as he was arrested. Orsino asks Antonio what he is doing in Illyria. Antonio claims he was never a thief or a pirate, but confesses that he has been Orsino’s enemy. He says that witchcraft must have brought him here – he says he rescued Cesario, who he thinks is Sebastian, from drowning and brought him to this town. He then defended Cesario (again, mistaking him for Sebastian); but then Cesario claimed not to know him… which is true, Cesario does not know Antonio. Cesario is in disbelief, and Orsino asks how long ago Antonio and Cesario came to town. Antonio says it has been three months (so, apparently the first scene of this play happened three months ago).
ES: Then, Olivia enters. Orsino sees her and quickly says that Antonio must be mistaken, as Cesario has been working for him for the past three months. Olivia begins to chide Cesario for not keeping an appointment with her – remember, she believes Cesario to be Sebastian and vice versa, so Sebastian actually didn’t keep the appointment. This leads to some more confusion, as Orsino is still trying to convince Olivia to marry him. Olivia is flippant with Orsino, which angers him. To get back at her, he vows to remove Cesario from her sight because he knows that she is enamored with Cesario. Cesario happily follows, and Olivia is confused and believes herself to have been deceived by Cesario. She tells an attendant to call forth for the priest that married her to Sebastian. Orsino commands Cesario to follow him. Olivia demands her husband stay with her. This is a surprise to Orsino and Cesario.
KS: The priest enters and Olivia asks him to share what happened just hours ago between her and Cesario. The priest also believes Cesario and Sebastian are the same person, so he confirms that Cesario and Olivia exchanged pre-wedding vows. Orsino is enraged that his servant tricked him and instructs Cesario to stay out of his sight. Cesario tries to speak, but Sir Andrew enters calling for a surgeon to be sent to Sir Toby, as he believes Cesario has injured Sir Toby and himself. This beating takes place offstage at some point after Sebastian first encountered Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Olivia. Sir Andrew is surprised to see Cesario and once again says that Cesario is the person who injured both himself and Sir Toby. Cesario says that he never hurt Sir Andrew or Sir Toby, but that they drew swords upon him and he addressed them kindly. Sir Toby and Feste enter. Sir Toby is very drunk and has been for an hour. Olivia commands that Sir Toby be taken away, so SIr Andrew, Fabian, and Feste escort Sir Toby out.
ES: Now, Sebastian enters and runs directly to Olivia to apologize for hurting her uncle Toby and then realizes that she is looking at him funny. He asks for forgiveness for hurting her uncle. Orsino comments that the person who has just entered is identical to Cesario in face, voice, and clothing. Sebastian, apparently oblivious, then sees Antonio and says that he has been so tortured since he parted ways with Antonio. Antonio questions if this person is indeed Sebastian and asks how Sebastian has made two of himself. Olivia is thrilled that there are two Cesarios. Sebastian finally sees Cesario and is confused, as he never had a brother and his sister died in that shipwreck. He asks Cesario how they are related. Cesario admits that he is from Messaline, and his father and brother were named Sebastian. Cesario’s brother died in a wreck, so he assumes Sebastian must be the ghost of his brother. Sebastian says that he isn't a ghost, and that if Cesario was a woman, he would cry and welcome his drowned sister, Viola. Cesario says that his father had a mole upon his brow, and Sebastian says his did, too. Cesario says his that father died on the day Viola turned thirteen. Sebastian confirms his father did too. Cesario reveals that he is Viola, and asks Sebastian not to celebrate their reunification until she appears as herself again. She shares that her feminine clothing is still with the captain who saved her from the wreck, and, since then, she has been serving Orsino as Cesario.
KS: Sebastian says that Olivia was mistaken to believe she was engaged to Cesario, but she is not deceived, as he is a noble (and virginal) man that Olivia is indeed betrothed to. Orsino tells Olivia not to be amazed, as Sebastian is noble by blood. Orsino turns to Viola and notes that she often told him, as Cesario, that she would never love woman like she loved Orsino. Viola confirms that she still feels this way. Orsino is interested in seeing Viola in her feminine clothing and asks for her hand. She obliges and repeats the information about her clothing being in the possession of the captain who saved her. Apparently, the captain has been imprisoned after being sued by Malvolio. Olivia says Malvolio will free the captain and calls to have Malvolio brought to her; although, she notes, Malvolio has been behaving madly lately.
ES: Feste and Fabian re-enter, and Feste still has Malvolio’s letter. He presents it to Olivia, who asks Feste to read it. Feste begins to read it in the character of a madman, and Olivia asks him what he thinks he is doing. Feste says he is reading madness, and if Olivia wants to hear the letter, it can only be read like that. Olivia tells Fabian to read it instead. The letter accuses Olivia of being behind the plot to have Malvolio imprisoned in the dark room. It also states that he has the letter she wrote and he will use it to prove that she has wronged him. Olivia asks if Malvolio wrote this , and Feste confirms. Orsino says it doesn’t actually sound that much like a madman. Olivia tells Fabian to bring Malvolio to her. She then addresses Orsino and asks him to think of her as a sister-in-law rather than a wife, thus encouraging him to marry Viola, and says that all four can be wed at her house and at her cost on the same day. Orsino agrees to this idea. He turns to Viola and fires her from his service. Then, he extends his hand and says that since she called him master for so long, from this moment she will be her master’s mistress. Olivia is excited to call Viola her sister.
KS: Fabian returns with Malvolio just in time to interrupt this happy moment. Malvolio gives Olivia the letter and describes everything that has been done to him. He demands to know why Olivia has done this to him. Olivia reveals that, although the handwriting on the original letter appears very similar to hers, it is actually Maria’s writing. Olivia pieces together that Maria was also the first person to tell her that Malvolio was mad. She promises Malvolio that once they uncover who played this prank on him, he can decide their punishment. Fabian confesses that it was himself and Sir Toby who came up with the pranKS: Maria wrote the letter at Sir Toby’s request and in return he has married her. Fabian also clarifies that it was meant to be a harmless prank, and that when everything is explained, it will be obvious that it was just in good fun and more worthy of laughter than revenge. Feste admits to his part in the scheme, too. Malvolio exits, promising revenge. Orsino asks Fabian to follow Malvolio and get him to agree to drop this, as they still have to get Malvolio to drop his lawsuit against the captain who saved Viola. After that is done, Orsino says, they will have that wedding. In the meantime, they will all stay at Olivia’s house, and, once Viola is back in her feminine clothing, she will be his mistress and ruler of his desire. But, until then, he is going to keep calling her Cesario. All exit except for Feste, who ends the show with a song.
ES: And that is Twelfth Night!
KS: Woo! Join us next time with our Stuff to Chew On for Twelfth Night where we talk about themes, motifs and general topics of discussion with this play.
ES: Thanks for listening!
Quote of the Episode:
ES: From Richard II, act two, scene two, said by York, “Come sister, cousin, I would say, pray, pardon me.”
Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp.
Note: When this episode was recorded, Kourtney Smith was "Korey Leigh Smith".
Episode written by Elyse Sharp and Kourtney Smith.
Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander.
Works referenced:
Shakespeare, William, and Keir Elam. Twelfth Night: or What You Will. Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2017.
