Summary of Act 1 of Twelfth Night

Summary

This video offers a quick summary of Act 1 of Shakespeare's *Twelfth Night*. It introduces the lovesick Duke Orsino, who pines for the mourning Countess Olivia. Viola, shipwrecked and fearing her twin brother's death, disguises herself as a young man, Cesario, to serve Orsino. Comedic characters like Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Mariah are also introduced. Viola, now Cesario, is sent to woo Olivia on Orsino's behalf, but Olivia becomes intrigued by Cesario. The video sets up key themes like unrequited love, mistaken identities, and comic misunderstandings, making the play easier to follow.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Shakespeare's *Twelfth Night* can be challenging, so this summary helps focus on characters, motivations, and language.
• 🎶 The play opens with Duke Orsino, who is lovesick over Countess Olivia, expressing his emotions with the famous line, 'If music be the food of love, play on.'
• 💔 Orsino is in unrequited love with Olivia, who is mourning her brother's death and has vowed to isolate herself for seven years.
• 🌊 In scene two, we meet Viola, the play's protagonist, who has survived a shipwreck but believes her twin brother, Sebastian, has died.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Viola decides to disguise herself as a young man named Cesario to find work with Duke Orsino instead of returning home.
• 🍻 Scene three introduces the comedic characters Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Maria, who provide comic relief with their drunken antics and wordplay.
• 🎭 Viola, now disguised as Cesario, works for Orsino, who sends her to woo Olivia on his behalf, creating a love triangle.
• ⚔️ Orsino believes Cesario’s feminine appearance will help win Olivia’s affection, adding complexity to the gender-bending comedy.
• 🏠 In scene five, we meet Olivia at her home, along with her servant Malvolio, whose name means 'ill will,' symbolizing his negative character traits.
• 💖 Olivia becomes intrigued by Cesario (Viola in disguise), which sets up the romantic misunderstandings that drive the rest of the play.

Q & A

What is Duke Orsino's emotional state at the beginning of Act 1?

Duke Orsino is very lovesick and melancholic. He hears music and famously says, 'If music be the food of love, play on,' expressing his desire to be overwhelmed by love to the point where he becomes sick of it.

Why doesn't Countess Olivia love Duke Orsino back?

Countess Olivia does not love Duke Orsino back because she is in mourning for her brother, who has recently died. She has vowed to mourn for seven years and isolate herself from others during this period.

Who is Viola, and what happens to her in Scene 2?

Viola is the protagonist of the play. In Scene 2, she survives a shipwreck and fears her twin brother Sebastian has died. She finds herself in Illyria and decides to disguise herself as a man to work for Duke Orsino.

Why does Viola choose to disguise herself as a man?

Viola disguises herself as a man, specifically as a young man named Cesario, to find work in Duke Orsino's court. It is not fully clear why she doesn't try to return home, but she makes this decision as a means of survival and possibly to explore new opportunities.

What is the role of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in the play?

Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek provide much of the comic relief in the play. They are often drunk, engage in bawdy humor, and their antics contrast with the more serious themes of mourning and unrequited love.

What is the significance of Viola dressing as Cesario for the rest of the play?

Viola dressing as Cesario is significant because it sets up much of the dramatic irony and confusion in the play. Characters are unaware of her true identity, leading to complicated love triangles and misunderstandings.

Why does Duke Orsino believe that Cesario will be successful in wooing Olivia?

Duke Orsino believes that Cesario will be successful in wooing Olivia because Cesario (who is actually Viola in disguise) looks and sounds somewhat feminine, which Orsino thinks will appeal to Olivia.

How does Olivia react to Cesario's arrival at her estate?

Olivia initially refuses to see Cesario, but when Malvolio describes Cesario as young and handsome, she becomes curious and agrees to let him in. Olivia and her attendants then engage in playful banter with Cesario before allowing him to deliver his message.

What is the role of Malvolio in Scene 5?

Malvolio is Olivia's steward, and his name, which means 'ill will,' hints at his strict and somewhat unpleasant personality. In Scene 5, he interacts with Olivia, informing her about Cesario's arrival, and plays a key role in managing her household.

What is the significance of the play’s subtitle 'Twelfth Night, or What You Will'?

The subtitle 'What You Will' suggests the theme of personal desires and whims, which is reflected in the characters' pursuits of love and identity. The play's focus on disguise, mistaken identities, and the flexibility of social roles aligns with this idea.