An Introduction by Brian Yablon

1. An Introduction by Brian Yablon

2. 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.

3. Text • Written between 1599 and 1601. • First recorded performance was February 1602. • First published in the First Folio of 1623, probably based on Foul Papers, but is the earliest known text of the play.

4. Sources • The main source was Farewell to Militarie Profession, 1581, by Barnabe Rich. • This was taken from Francois Belleforest’s Histoires Tragiques , 1570. • This was taken from Batteo Bandello’s Novelle, 1554. • This was taken from the anonymous G’Ingannati, 1530s.

5. 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.

6. Theatrical History • First performed at the Inns of Court on February 2, 1602. • After Shakespeare’s death, it was performed for King James I in 1618 and 1623. • A very popular play, it was performed consistently since written.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.”

29. 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).

30. 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.

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

32. 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.

33. 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.

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

35. Symbols and Themes • Costumes and Identity • Hallucination and madness • Hunting

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

37. 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

38. 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 Names