Very Short Summary
In the land of Illyria, a violent storm separated twins Viola and Sebastian, each believing the other had drowned. Viola disguised herself as a male page named Cesario and entered the service of Duke Orsino.
The Duke was deeply in love with Countess Olivia and sent Cesario to woo her on his behalf.
However, Olivia fell in love with Cesario instead, unaware that 'he' was actually Viola. Meanwhile, Viola found herself falling in love with Orsino, but could not reveal her feelings due to her disguise.
The situation became more complicated when Sebastian arrived in Illyria alive. Olivia, mistaking him for Cesario, quickly married him. When both twins appeared together, everyone was astonished by their identical appearance.
One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons, A natural perspective, that is and is not! ... An apple, cleft in two, is not more twin Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian?
The confusion was finally resolved when Viola revealed her true identity. Orsino, realizing he had fallen in love with Viola during her service as Cesario, proposed to her. Olivia remained happily married to Sebastian, and both couples celebrated their good fortune. A subplot involving the humiliation of Olivia's pompous steward Malvolio by her uncle Sir Toby and other members of the household was also resolved, though Malvolio left vowing revenge.
Detailed Summary by Acts and Scenes
Act titles and scene descriptions are editorial.
Act 1. Love and Deception Begin
Scene 1. Duke Orsino Pines for Olivia
The play opened in the palace of Duke Orsino, who was consumed by his love for the Countess Olivia. As music played, he mused on the nature of love and its effects on the heart.
If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. That strain again! it had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
When his attendant Valentine returned from an embassy to Olivia, he brought disappointing news. The countess had sworn to avoid male company for seven years while mourning her brother's death.
Scene 2. Viola's Shipwreck and Disguise
On the coast of Illyria, a young noblewoman named Viola survived a shipwreck that she feared had claimed her twin brother Sebastian's life. A friendly sea captain helped her and informed her about Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia.
Deciding to make her own way in this new land, Viola conceived a plan to disguise herself as a young man named Cesario and seek service with Duke Orsino, knowing that Olivia was not receiving any male visitors.
Scene 3. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
At Olivia's house, her uncle Sir Toby Belch was entertaining his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a foolish knight who hoped to court Olivia. Maria, Olivia's gentlewoman, criticized Sir Toby's late-night drinking and his choice of companion.
The scene revealed Sir Andrew's foolishness and cowardice, despite Sir Toby's attempts to praise his qualities. Their interaction established the comic subplot that would run throughout the play.
Scene 4. Viola Enters Orsino's Service
Viola, now disguised as Cesario, quickly gained Duke Orsino's favor and trust. After only three days in his service, she became his favorite page. The Duke decided to use Cesario as a messenger to woo Olivia, unaware that Viola was falling in love with him.
O time! thou must untangle this, not I; It is too hard a knot for me to untie! ... What will become of this? As I am man, My state is desperate for my master's love; As I am woman—now alas the day!
Scene 5. Viola Meets Olivia
At Olivia's house, her steward Malvolio and her fool Feste engaged in verbal sparring, revealing their contrasting characters. When Viola arrived as Cesario, she had to use considerable charm and persistence to gain an audience with Olivia.
During their meeting, Olivia became instantly attracted to the disguised Viola, creating another layer of romantic complication. Despite Viola's eloquent delivery of Orsino's love message, Olivia was more interested in the messenger than the message. After Viola left, Olivia sent Malvolio after her with a ring, pretending Viola had left it behind, creating a pretext for another meeting.
O, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful In the contempt and anger of his lip! A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon
Act 2. Love's Confusion Deepens
Scene 1. Sebastian's Survival Revealed
The scene shifted to Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, who had actually survived the shipwreck. He was in the company of Antonio, a sea captain who had rescued him. Despite the danger to himself in Illyria, Antonio decided to follow and protect Sebastian.
Scene 2. Malvolio Delivers Olivia's Ring
Malvolio caught up with Viola and delivered Olivia's ring, making it clear that Olivia had fallen in love with 'Cesario.' This development further complicated the already tangled romantic situation, leaving Viola to contemplate the impossible position she found herself in.
Scene 3. The Midnight Revelry
Late at night, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste engaged in drunken singing, despite Maria's warnings about disturbing Olivia. Their revelry attracted the disapproving attention of Malvolio, who threatened them with Olivia's displeasure. His pompous behavior inspired Maria to devise a scheme for revenge.
Scene 4. Viola's Growing Predicament
Orsino, still pining for Olivia, discussed the nature of love with Viola/Cesario. In a poignant exchange, Viola spoke of her father's daughter (actually herself) who never told her love but pined in thought.
She sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed? We men may say more, swear more: but indeed Our shows are more than will; for still we prove Much in our vows
Scene 5. The Letter Plot Against Malvolio
Maria executed her plot against Malvolio by dropping a forged letter in his path. The letter, supposedly from Olivia, hinted at secret love for him and instructed him to wear yellow stockings, be cross-gartered, and smile constantly. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian hid nearby to watch Malvolio find and react to the letter.
Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Thy Fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them
Act 3. Complications and Confrontations
Scene 1. Olivia Declares Her Love
Viola, visiting Olivia again on Orsino's behalf, found herself in an increasingly difficult position as Olivia openly declared her love for 'Cesario.' Despite Viola's attempts to discourage her, Olivia became more determined in her pursuit.
Scene 2. The Plot Against Malvolio Proceeds
Sir Toby and Fabian convinced Sir Andrew to challenge 'Cesario' to a duel, playing on his jealousy of Olivia's attention to the youth. Meanwhile, they planned to manipulate both parties' fears to create an entertaining spectacle.
Scene 3. Antonio's Arrest
Antonio followed Sebastian into the city despite the risk to himself. When he gave Sebastian his purse for safekeeping, he revealed that he had enemies in Illyria, having fought against Duke Orsino's ships in the past.
Scene 4. Malvolio's Strange Behavior and Sir Andrew's Challenge
Malvolio appeared before Olivia wearing yellow stockings and cross-garters, smiling constantly and behaving oddly, exactly as the forged letter had instructed. His strange behavior convinced Olivia that he had gone mad, and she left him in the care of Sir Toby, who planned to have him confined.
Meanwhile, Sir Toby arranged the duel between Sir Andrew and Viola, frightening each with exaggerated tales of the other's ferocity. As they reluctantly prepared to fight, Antonio arrived and, mistaking Viola for Sebastian, intervened to protect her. Officers appeared and arrested Antonio, who was confused when Viola denied knowing him.
Act 4. Mistaken Identities Peak
Scene 1. Sebastian Mistaken for Cesario
The confusion escalated when Sebastian encountered Sir Andrew and Sir Toby, who mistook him for 'Cesario.' Unlike his sister, Sebastian responded to Sir Andrew's aggression with force. Olivia arrived and, also mistaking Sebastian for 'Cesario,' intervened and took him away with her.
Scene 2. Malvolio's Imprisonment
The plot against Malvolio took a darker turn as he was confined in a dark room for his supposed madness. Feste, disguised as a priest named Sir Topas, tormented him further. Though Malvolio begged for paper and light to write to Olivia, his captors continued their cruel game.
Scene 3. Sebastian and Olivia's Marriage
Sebastian, amazed by his good fortune but still confused about the situation, agreed to marry Olivia immediately when she proposed. Though he wondered if he was dreaming or if she was mad, he followed her to the church where a priest performed their wedding ceremony.
Act 5. All is Revealed
Scene 1. Twins Reunited and All Resolved
All the plot threads came together in the final scene. When Viola and Sebastian finally appeared together, everyone was amazed by their identical appearance. The twins joyfully reunited, and their true identities were revealed. Orsino, realizing that 'Cesario' was actually Viola, transferred his affections to her and proposed marriage.
In nature there's no blemish but the mind; None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind: Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil
Olivia discovered that while she had married Sebastian, she had been courting his twin sister. Though initially shocked, she was content with this outcome. Meanwhile, Malvolio was released and the plot against him was revealed. He stormed off vowing revenge against them all. The play concluded with the promise of a double wedding between Orsino and Viola, and Sebastian and Olivia, while Sir Toby and Maria also agreed to marry. Feste closed the play with a melancholic song about the rain that falls every day.