Structure and Summary (Twelfth Night)

This section explains the structure and summary of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. It is structured into five acts and follows a traditional comedic plot, where misunderstandings and confusion eventually lead to resolution and harmony. The play is set in Illyria, a fictional country, and centres on themes of love, disguise, and identity. Here’s an overview of its structure and key events in each act.

Structure of the Play

Five-Act Structure: Like many of Shakespeare’s plays, Twelfth Night follows a five-act structure:

Act 1: Introduction to characters, setting, and the main conflict.

Act 2: Complications arise, often through misunderstandings or mistakes.

Act 3: The climax, where the confusion intensifies and the characters face the height of their dilemmas.

Act 4: The resolution begins to unfold, often involving more misunderstandings before the truth is revealed.

Act 5: The final resolution, where mistaken identities are resolved, and balance is restored.

Comedic Devices: Shakespeare uses typical comedic devices in the structure of Twelfth Night, including:

Disguise (Viola/Cesario’s gender disguise),

Mistaken Identity (Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian),

Comic Subplots (Malvolio’s humiliation),

Happy Ending (multiple marriages and revelations of true identities).

Act-by-Act Summary

Act 1: Introduction of the Main Conflict

Scene 1: The play opens with Duke Orsino expressing his love for Olivia, who is mourning her brother’s death and refusing all romantic advances. Orsino is infatuated with the idea of love itself.

Scene 2: After a shipwreck, Viola is stranded in Illyria and believes her twin brother Sebastian has drowned. To survive, she disguises herself as a man, Cesario, and seeks employment in Orsino’s household.

Scene 3: We are introduced to Olivia’s household. Sir Toby Belch (Olivia’s uncle) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (his foolish friend) are shown as comedic figures who enjoy partying and drinking. Maria, Olivia’s maid, is another key figure in this scene.

Scene 4: Viola, now disguised as Cesario, quickly gains Orsino’s trust. Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia on his behalf, unaware that Viola has fallen in love with him.

Scene 5: Cesario (Viola) meets Olivia and delivers Orsino’s message of love. However, Olivia becomes infatuated with Cesario, unaware of Viola’s true identity.

Act 2: Complications and Comic Elements

Scene 1: Sebastian, Viola’s twin brother, is revealed to be alive. He is travelling with Antonio, a sea captain who saved him after the shipwreck. Antonio is devoted to Sebastian and agrees to follow him to Orsino’s court, though he has enemies there.

Scene 2: Viola (as Cesario) realises Olivia has fallen in love with her. She reflects on the complications her disguise has caused and the confusion it has brought to others.

Scene 3: A subplot develops as Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste (the fool) enjoy late-night revelry. Malvolio, Olivia’s pompous steward, criticises their behaviour. To take revenge, Maria hatches a plan to trick Malvolio into thinking Olivia loves him.

Scene 4: Orsino, unaware of Cesario’s true identity, confides in him about love and his feelings for Olivia. Viola subtly hints at her own love for Orsino, though he remains oblivious.

Scene 5: Malvolio finds the forged letter (planted by Maria) that appears to be from Olivia. The letter instructs him to wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and behave oddly. Malvolio is excited, believing Olivia loves him and plans to elevate his social status.

Act 3: Climax and Height of Confusion

Scene 1: Viola (as Cesario) visits Olivia again. Olivia confesses her love for Cesario, but Viola tries to gently reject her. Olivia, however, misinterprets Cesario’s words and believes there is hope for her affection to be returned.

Scene 2: Sir Andrew, encouraged by Sir Toby, challenges Cesario to a duel to win Olivia’s favour. Sir Toby and Maria continue to manipulate the situation for their own amusement.

Scene 3: Sebastian arrives in Illyria with Antonio. Antonio gives Sebastian his purse, but avoids being seen in Illyria because of old conflicts with Duke Orsino’s men.

Scene 4: Malvolio’s ridiculous behaviour (as per the letter’s instructions) is interpreted by Olivia as madness. Meanwhile, the comic duel between Sir Andrew and Cesario is about to take place, but is interrupted when Antonio mistakes Cesario for Sebastian and steps in to help. Antonio is arrested, further confusing Viola.

Act 4: Resolution Begins

Scene 1: Sebastian is mistaken for Cesario by both Sir Andrew and Olivia. Olivia, believing Sebastian to be Cesario, asks him to marry her. Sebastian, confused but willing, agrees to the marriage.

Scene 2: The prank on Malvolio continues as Feste, disguised as a priest, mocks Malvolio, who has been locked away for supposedly being mad. Malvolio insists he is sane, but his pleas are ignored.

Scene 3: Sebastian, now married to Olivia, begins to reflect on the strange events happening around him. He is bewildered by Olivia’s affection but goes along with it.

Act 5: Final Resolution and Revealing of Identities

Scene 1: All the characters come together in the final scene. Orsino arrives at Olivia’s house with Cesario (Viola), and confusion reigns as both Olivia and Orsino express different emotions toward Cesario.

Sebastian enters, and the twin siblings, Viola and Sebastian, are finally reunited. The truth is revealed: Viola is a woman, and she and Orsino confess their love for each other. Sebastian and Olivia are already married, and Sir Toby marries Maria.

Malvolio is released from his confinement and learns that he was the victim of a cruel prank. He leaves, vowing revenge on everyone.

The play ends with marriages and the promise of happiness, except for Malvolio, who exits bitterly. Feste, the fool, sings a final song, closing the play on a reflective note.

Conclusion of the Structure

Twelfth Night follows a typical comedic structure, where confusion, disguise, and misunderstanding lead to a series of humorous and chaotic situations. The play culminates in a harmonious ending, where the mistaken identities are resolved, and most characters find love and happiness.