Twelfth night synopsis

• "A little more than kin, and less than kind" - Viola about her twin brother Sebastian
• Gender roles and social norms are explored in Twelfth Night, particularly through the character of Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario, challenging traditional ideas of gender identity.
• Disguise and deception play a significant role in the plot of Twelfth Night, as characters often masquerade as someone else, leading to confusion and comedic situations.
• "Be not disturbed with your thoughts; there is nothing but health in your looks." - Sir Toby to Olivia
• Love and desire are central themes in Twelfth Night, with characters experiencing unrequited love, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements.
• "I am not what I am" - Malvolio
• Twelfth Night is set in Illyria, a fictional country on the coast of Italy.
• The play also explores themes such as love, deception, jealousy, and revenge.
• Viola falls deeply in love with Orsino but is unable to reveal her true feelings due to her disguise.
• "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." - Duke Orsino on Lady Olivia's insistence that she does not love anyone but her deceased brother.
• Orsino


  Duke of Illyria, in love with Olivia
• Olivia


  A countess, has decided to veil her face for seven years due to grief over her brother's death
• Orsino wishes


  Olivia would direct her love at him
• Viola


  Shipwrecked on Illyria, fears her brother is lost at sea, asks the captain to help her dress as a man to become the Duke's servant
• Sir Toby Belch


  Olivia's uncle, told off by her maid Maria for coming home late and drunk
• Sir Andrew Aguecheek


  Sir Toby's friend, unsuccessfully flirts with Maria to get closer to Olivia
• Malvolio


  Olivia's steward, does not think the jester Feste is funny
• Viola/Cesario tells Olivia


  Orsino loves her, but Olivia says she does not love him and has fallen for Cesario instead
• Sebastian


  Viola's brother, alive and well, rescued by a sea captain, believes Viola is dead and sets off for Orsino's court
• Malvolio gives Cesario the ring


  Repeating Olivia's insistence that she cannot love the Duke
• Viola feels sorry


  For being in love with the Duke, and for Olivia being in love with her
• Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste hatch a plot


  To trick Malvolio with forged love letters from Olivia
• Orsino guesses


  Cesario is in love
• Cesario gives the example


  Of his 'sister' who loved a man but never told him
• The Duke sends Cesario

  To Olivia with a jewel
• Maria drops a letter


  For Malvolio to find, assuming it is praising his fashion sense (yellow stockings and cross-garters)
• Cesario again urges Orsino's suit to Olivia


  But Olivia again refuses, telling Cesario she loves him