10 Things I Used To Hate About English

AN ACT BY ACT AND SCENE BY SCENE SUMMARY OF THE PLAY:

TWELFTH NIGHT

ACT 1:

The duke of Illyria., Orsino is in love with his neighbour, the Countess Olivia and decides to send his favourite page, Cesario to her. He doesn’t know that Cesario is in fact a cleverly disguised woman named Viola who was recently shipwrecked.  Viola is mourning the death of her brother, who was thought to be  killed in the shipwreck.  However she decides to overcome her problems and move on and is now deeply in love with the Duke. In Olivia’s household, exists the steward Malvolio(who is a very melancholy man) and Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, who spends most of his time drinking with his coward of a friend, wealthy Sir Andrew Aguecheek and the jester, Feste.

SCENE 1:

The play opens with Orsino(followed by curio and other attendants) who is deeply in love with countess Olivia and declares that if “music be the food of love, play on” ie that the musicians must continue playing. In the same way that love can change, Orsino suddenly decides that he no longer wants to hear any music. An attendant of the Duke, Valentine, appears saying that he has just come from Olivia’s home.  She would not see Valentine because she is in mourning. This is because when Olivia’s father died, she had only her brother. Recently afterwards, he also passed away, and now Olivia is in seven years of mourning and will not have the company of men.   The Duke is amazed by how deeply she feels for her brother and decides that when she marries, her love will be whole-heartedly.

SCENE 2:

Viola and a Sea Captain are on the coast, and have just been saved from a sunken ship. Viola is upset because she believes that her brother Sebastian was killed, even though the captain thought he saw Sebastian holding on to the masts of one of the ships. The Captain, who was born near Illyria, tells Viola of the Duke Orsino and that he seeks Olivia’s hand in marriage. Viola decides that she will work for Olivia, but this, she is told cannot be done as very few people are allowed in her presence.  Viola then plans to disguise herself as a boy and work for the Duke as a page.

Scene 3:

Here we meet Olivia’s servant, Maria and her uncle Sir Toby belch. Sir Toby is finding it irrational for Olivia to mourn for such a lengthy period of time and Maria replies that Olivia in turn disagrees with Toby’s excessive drinking habits.

Also, Olivia greatly dislikes his friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek who is not much more than a foolish drunkard. Sir Toby uses Sir Andrew for his wealth by deceiving Sir Andrew into thinking that Olivia would someday want to marry him.

Sir Andrew then enters and after making a few jokes of him, Maria leaves. Sir Andrew reveals that he has decided to leave the next day as he cannot gain Olivia’s hand. However Sir Toby convinces him to stay. 

SCENE 4:

Valentine and Viola(disguised as Cesario the page) are in the Duke’s palace.  Cesario(as he will now be called throughout the summary) is now well liked by the Duke. The Duke (and his attendants enter) orders Cesario to go and see Olivia and he may only return once he has seen her in person. His job is to tell Olivia of the Duke’s love for her. Cesario leaves saying that he will do his best.

SCENE 5:

In Olivia’s house, Maria questions Feste(the jester) as to why he has been away for so long. The jester(clown) starts joking with and Maria leaves when she becomes annoyed. Olivia then enters with Malvolio her steward. She is angry with Feste and orders him to be taken away, however the jester soon wins her over with his jokes and foolery. Malvolio is however, unamused and cannot understand what Olivia sees in him. Olivia in turn tells Malvolio that he must learn to enjoy a good laugh. Maria enters, saying that there is someone who wishes to speak to the countess, but is unable to as the drunk Sir Toby is not allowing him past the gate. Sir Toby is called away and Malvolio goes to attend to the messenger. Malvolio is given the instruction to send away any messenger from the Duke but Malvolio returns saying that the page will not leave until he can speak to the countess. Olivia then allows him to enter as soon as she is  alone in the room and properly veiled. Cesario enters and insists that she take off her veil and listen to his message. After receiving the Duke’s message of his love for her, she ponders over Orsino’s good points but decides that she cannot love him. During their conversation, Olivia becomes more interested in Cesario and once Cesario has left she thinks deeply about him. She sends Malvolio to go after Cesario and give back a ring which he had left behind(note that Cesario did not leave a ring) ands that if Cesario was to come back, she will tell him why she returned it.

ACT 2:

Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian(who is supposedly dead) arrives in Illyria with a sea captain, Antonio. Meanwhile, Sir Toby and Maria plot to get Malvolio into trouble with Olivia as he is so prim and proper and arrogant towards them. Their plan is to plant a letter(from Olivia)where he is sure to find it, professing her love for him. In the letter it says that if he in turn loves her, he must wear yellow hose, cross gartered and to smile whenever he is around her (ie. Become the total opposite of his character and look like a fool).

SCENE 1:

On the coast, Sebastian(Viola’s brother) tells Antonio(the sea captain) that it seems he has been saved from the shipwreck and his sister has not survived. He is greatly pained by this and decides to see Duke Orsino. Antonio cannot go with him as he fought a battle against the Duke and is his enemy(but will instead follow him).

SCENE 2:

Cesario is stopped by Malvolio, who tells him to take back the ring. Cesario, knowing that the countess has feelings towards him, refuses to take the ring and Malvolio simply throws the ring down and walks away. Cesario then picks up the ring and realises the seriousness of the situation. It is deeply ironic that the Duke is in love with Olivia who is in love with Cesario, when Cesario is actually a woman who loves the Duke.

SCENE 3:

Feste enters a room occupied by Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. It is very late at night and they bribe him to sing a song.  During the song Maria appears warning them that the mistress does not enjoy the drunken tomfoolery that takes place in her house at such a late hour.  Malvolio soon arrives with a threat to kick Toby out of the house if the mistress does not receive some silence and order.  Sir Toby who is not the slightest bit afraid of Malvolio asks for more wine. Disgruntled Malvolio leaves and immediately Sir Toby and Sir Andrew plan on challenging him to a duel. However, Maria has a better idea. Because her writing is so similar to Olivia’s, she plans to write a letter from the countess saying that she is in love with him. Both the Sir’s happily agree and once Maria leaves Sir Toby asks Sir Andrew for more money.

SCENE 4:

In the Duke’s court is Orsino, Curio and Cesario. The Duke calls for Feste’s music and then asks to be left alone with Cesario. He tells the page to go back to Olivia and tell her again of his love for her. Orsino speaks to Cesario and is impressed by his deep knowledge of love and its meanings. The Duke believes that one should marry a woman younger than themselves as a woman can change and adapt easily towards a man- men however, cannot. He is also sure that no woman can love a man as deeply as he loves Olivia. Cesario then tells him that his ‘sister’ once loved a man but could not show it(note the irony that Viola is the ‘sister’ in that position). Orsino sends Cesario to go to Olivia.

SCENE 5:

(In Olivia’s garden). Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian(the servant) are waiting to play the joke on Malvolio. Maria arrives with the letter and tells them to hide. Knowing that Malvolio will soon be walking down the path, she drops it there and also hides.  Soon Malvolio arrives, dreaming of marrying Olivia-many noble women have married their stewards and he imagines that once he is Olivia’s husband, he can rid himself of Toby. He spots the letter addressed to ‘MAOI’, and thinking it’s for him, reads the letter. The letter tells him to wear yellow stockings and be dressed cross gartered. Also he should smile whenever he is in the presence of Olivia as a sign that he returns Olivia’s affection.  Meanwhile, behind the tree, everyone is having a good laugh at him knowing Olivia’s reaction when she sees this new Malvolio.

ACT 3:

Cesario returns to Olivia-she cannot hold her feelings for him. Sir Toby, now afraid that Sir Andrew will leave in dismay, suggests to him to challenge the page to a duel(the only reason Toby wants Andrew to stay is because he wishes to use his money). Meanwhile, Antonio has lent Sebastian some money and has to leave. Malvolio has provided great amusement which has lead Olivia to think that he has gone mad(Sir Toby and Maria easily have him committed to a dark room). Once Malvolio is put away, Sir Toby forces Sir Andrew to challenge Cesario to a duel. But just as they draw swords Antonio rushes in, thinking that Cesario is Sebastian. Officers immediately arrest the captain as he is a war enemy and Antonio becomes dismayed when he pleas Cesario for money and in return Cesario confesses he has never seen this man before in his life.  

SCENE 1:

(In the garden) Cesario questions  Feste and learns about the countess through his jests(jokes). Cesario gives him money to find out if Olivia is inside, and later Feste leaves. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew enter and Sir Toby tells Cesario that if he finds Olivia desirable then he should enter, and just as Cesario turns to do so, Olivia appears with Maria. She announces that she wishes to be alone with Cesario.  Alone, she explains that she sent the ring to him using “fearful cunning”, and admits that she is in love with Cesario.  However Cesario tells her that no woman can ever have his/her heart(as she is a woman herself) and says simply that his reason for visiting was to tell Olivia of the Duke’s love.

SCENE 2:

Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian(the servant) are in a room in Olivia’s house.  Sir Andrew is now ready to leave because he is sure Olivia loves the Duke and not him but Fabian tells him that the countess does not actually like Cesario but is showing affection towards him to make him(Sir Andrew) jealous. The only way Sir Andrew can make himself into a man in Olivia’s eyes is to challenge Cesario to a duel. They suggest that he write this challenge on page.  Once Sir Andrew has left, they laugh about is to develop from this challenge as they think both parties too cowardly and gentle to fight. Maria then appears, announcing that Malvolio is dressed in yellow stockings and has carried out every instruction from the letter to the last word. They cannot wait to see what happens when Olivia finally sees him.

SCENE 3:

Sebastian and Antonio are (again) together, and the captain is worried that Sebastian is alone in such a strange town. Antonio is invited to stroll around town with Sebastian but he explains that he has not paid the duke for what was taken during the battle and if he is found, he could be thrown to prison. Instead he gives Sebastian his money and asks to meet him later. Meanwhile Olivia confesses to Maria that she has fallen in love with Cesario.  When she sends for Malvolio, Maria warns her that he is in a strange mood. Olivia soon thinks Malvolio has gone mad and sees to it that he Sir Toby looks after him. She then goes to speak to Cesario who has just arrived.  Toby humours Malvolio and decides that he must be put away in a dark room(as he has gone mad) and in this way play an even better joke on Malvolio. Sir Andrew arrives with his challenge which Toby is to hand to Cesario. However after Sir Andrew leaves, Toby tells Maria that the letter is so badly written that he will instead challenge Cesario(on Andrew’s behalf) by word of mouth. When Cesario is alone Sir Toby tells him of the duel which he is to participate in. By now Cesario is both anxious and afraid and close to revealing himself/herself and on the other side Andrew decides to withdraw the duel when toby tells him that Cesario is willing and eager to fight. Just as they are about to draw swords, Antonio bursts in thinking that Sebastian(who looks very similar to Viola) is the one about to fight, and draws his sword to protect Cesario. Sir Toby then jumps in and wants to fight Antonio but eventually the officers recognise Antonio and carry him off to prison. Antonio then asks Cesario for his money but of course Cesario does not recognise Antonio who then tells Cesario how he saved him from drowning(still thinking that he is addressing Sebastian) and this leads Viola to believe that her brother might still be alive.

ACT 4:

Sir Andrew hastens after Cesario(he thinks Cesario is a coward after all that has happened)to finish the duel.  Instead he meets Sebastian, who has no qualms about drawing swords and wounds both Sir Andrew and Sir Toby. Olivia who mistakes Sebastian for Cesario takes him home, sends for a priest and marries him. Meanwhile, Maria suggests to Feste to go into the dark room and continue badgering Malvolio.

SCENE 1:

On the street, Feste meets Sebastian, who he thinks is Cesario. Sebastian is confused as to why a clown is asking him to go to Olivia’s house. Sir Andrew arrives and hits Sebastian, also thinking Sebastian is Cesario.  Sebastian hits him back and Olivia enters and tells them to stop fighting. Once she is left alone with Sebastian she asks him to come to her house(and the confused Sebastian agrees).

SCENE 2:

The clown is preparing to play a joke on Malvolio. He dresses up as Sir Topas, a curate and teases Malvolio into thinking Malvolio himself is mad. At the end of the scene Malvolio asks for paper on which he can write Olivia a note.

SCENE 3:

Sebastian is in Olivia’s garden and is confused as to what is going on around him. He is also worried as to why he hasn’t seen Antonio yet. Olivia enters with a priest and they are married.

ACT 5 :

The Duke arrives at Olivia’s house with Cesario and the other attendants. Just then Antonio appears with the Duke’s officers. The Duke becomes angry when Olivia calls Cesario as her husband and confusion entails when Sir Toby and Andrew appear with wounds complaining that Cesario wounded them.  Everything is cleared up when Sebastian arrives and the Duke finally decides to marry the lovely Viola(once unveiled).  Sir Toby marries Maria for her cleverness and lastly Malvolio is freed from his jail.

SCENE 1:

Fabian and Feste meet on the street.  Duke Orsino and his attendants arrive and Cesario points out to Antonio who is nearing with officers. Orsino remembers all the damage Antonio caused during the battle, but Antonio exclaims that he was never a thief and only came to Illyria to save Sebastian and now the page doesn’t even recognise him. Olivia then approaches and asks Cesario why he has not kept his word with her. Cesario tells her that he only serves the Duke and Olivia replies that she does not want to hear of the Duke’s love, only of Cesario’s and she tells Cesario how saddened she is by his faithlessness even after they are married. After hearing this, the angry Duke vows that Cesario may have Olivia but he may never cross the Duke’s path. Suddenly Sir Andrew arrives saying that Sir Toby seeks medical attention from his wounds that Cesario caused. Orsino becomes even more amazed to hear this and the confusion only clears up when Sebastian appears who immediately greets Antonio. Eventually Viola shows herself and brother and sister are happily reunited. Olivia then orders Malvolio to be brought to her, and Feste arrives with the letter from Malvolio. In the letter, Malvolio protests against being teased and treated so. Olivia orders him to be released. After his release, Olivia clears up everything(ie the original letter that was actually written by Maria) and each person explains what they did in the plot to make Malvolio seem foolish. Angrily Malvolio leaves and the Duke announces that he will marry Viola.

THE END.   

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