Character List~This character list comes directly from the Arden edition of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night edited by Keir Elam.
~Viola: a shipwrecked lady, later disguised as Cesario
~Captain: of the wrecked ship, who befriends Viola
~Sebastian: Viola's twin brother, also shipwrecked
~Antonio: a sea-captain, who befriends Sebastian
~Orsino: Duke of Illyria
~Curio, Valentine, and two Officers: all gentlemen attending Orsino
~Olivia: a countess
~Maria: Olivia's waiting-gentlewoman
~Sir Toby Belch: Olivia's kinsman
~Sir Andrew Aguecheek: companion to Sir Toby
~Malvolio: Olivia's steward
~Feste: clown, Olivia's jester
~Fabian: a member of Olivia's household
~Priest
~Servant: in Olivia's household
~Musicians, Lords, Sailors, Attendants
~Viola: a shipwrecked lady, later disguised as Cesario
~Captain: of the wrecked ship, who befriends Viola
~Sebastian: Viola's twin brother, also shipwrecked
~Antonio: a sea-captain, who befriends Sebastian
~Orsino: Duke of Illyria
~Curio, Valentine, and two Officers: all gentlemen attending Orsino
~Olivia: a countess
~Maria: Olivia's waiting-gentlewoman
~Sir Toby Belch: Olivia's kinsman
~Sir Andrew Aguecheek: companion to Sir Toby
~Malvolio: Olivia's steward
~Feste: clown, Olivia's jester
~Fabian: a member of Olivia's household
~Priest
~Servant: in Olivia's household
~Musicians, Lords, Sailors, Attendants
****SPOILER ALERT****
My Synopsis
It starts off with a shipwreck. Viola befriends the captain while her brother Sebastian and other crew mates are believed to be dead. Far from home and alone, she decides to dress up as a man, Cesario, and serve Duke Orsino. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia, who he is smitten with. But Olivia, appreciating the kindness of Cesario, falls for Cesario instead! Meanwhile, Viola (Cesario) has fallen for Orsino. While all of this is going on, Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste plan a mean trick on Malvolio; Maria writes a love letter to Malvolio pretending that it is from his lady, Olivia. Malvolio is very excited and makes advances to Olivia; the other servants tell Olivia that he has gone mad. Then Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste have Malvolio locked in a cell and tortured him. As things heat up with Olivia, Viola, and Orsino, we discover that Sebastian is still alive and Antonio is helping him survive. Olivia sees Sebastian thinking that it is Cesario and whisks him away to a priest to get married. While he is gone, Antonio is being prosecuted by Duke Orsino. Antonio sees Viola(Cesario) thinking that it is Sebastian and becomes very upset that she/he is not helping him. About that time, Olivia comes sees Cesario thinking that they are married; this deeply hurts Duke Orsino as he feels betrayed. Just then, Sebastian comes out and talks to Antonio like nothing has happened. Following that conversation, he talks to Olivia who is with Cesario. Viola and Sebastian figure out who they are and have a beautiful reunion. Once Olivia realizes what happened, she is perfectly happy with her marriage. Orsino comes out and professes his love for Viola. Antonio is freed. Everyone is happy. But then, Malvolio, beaten down, comes out and questions why all of this has happened to him. Olivia explains that it was Maria who wrote the letter, not her. Feste has a heart to heart with Malvolio and everyone lives happily ever after...except Malvolio.
My Synopsis
It starts off with a shipwreck. Viola befriends the captain while her brother Sebastian and other crew mates are believed to be dead. Far from home and alone, she decides to dress up as a man, Cesario, and serve Duke Orsino. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia, who he is smitten with. But Olivia, appreciating the kindness of Cesario, falls for Cesario instead! Meanwhile, Viola (Cesario) has fallen for Orsino. While all of this is going on, Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste plan a mean trick on Malvolio; Maria writes a love letter to Malvolio pretending that it is from his lady, Olivia. Malvolio is very excited and makes advances to Olivia; the other servants tell Olivia that he has gone mad. Then Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste have Malvolio locked in a cell and tortured him. As things heat up with Olivia, Viola, and Orsino, we discover that Sebastian is still alive and Antonio is helping him survive. Olivia sees Sebastian thinking that it is Cesario and whisks him away to a priest to get married. While he is gone, Antonio is being prosecuted by Duke Orsino. Antonio sees Viola(Cesario) thinking that it is Sebastian and becomes very upset that she/he is not helping him. About that time, Olivia comes sees Cesario thinking that they are married; this deeply hurts Duke Orsino as he feels betrayed. Just then, Sebastian comes out and talks to Antonio like nothing has happened. Following that conversation, he talks to Olivia who is with Cesario. Viola and Sebastian figure out who they are and have a beautiful reunion. Once Olivia realizes what happened, she is perfectly happy with her marriage. Orsino comes out and professes his love for Viola. Antonio is freed. Everyone is happy. But then, Malvolio, beaten down, comes out and questions why all of this has happened to him. Olivia explains that it was Maria who wrote the letter, not her. Feste has a heart to heart with Malvolio and everyone lives happily ever after...except Malvolio.