Malvolio in particular expresses his displeasure at their behaviour: “My masters, are you mad? ” (Act 2, Scene 3). Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby, and his friend, Sir Andrew, are up late drinking and being obstinately rowdy, much to the chagrin of Olivia’s servants. At first confused, Viola interprets this gesture as Olivia having fallen for Cesario, but concludes, ‘O time, thou must untangle this, not I! It is too hard a knot for me to untie.’ (Act 2, Scene 2) Olivia sends her puritanical servant, Malvolio, to ‘return’ a ring Viola-as-Cesario purportedly left behind. Sebastian makes his way to Orsino’s court, leaving behind Antonio who’s concerned about encountering personal enemies in Illyria. He’s been rescued by another sea captain, Antonio. Olivia quickly falls in love with Cesario and tries to trick ‘him’ into returning to see her.īack on the shores of Illyria we meet Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be dead. Despite Olivia’s decision to remain in mourning, she is intrigued by Viola-disguised-as-Cesario’s behaviour. Viola very quickly realises that she has romantic feelings for Orsino, complicating her employment.
She becomes the go-between in his romantic pursuit of Olivia. Viola, disguised as Cesario, is swiftly welcomed into the role of Orsino’s servant and confidante. His friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, joins the conversation, bemoaning the fact that Olivia, who he’s also been attempting to woo, is not interested in him. Next we meet Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, who is drunk and being chastised by her gentlewoman, Maria.
Unsure whether Illyria will be a place kind to a young woman, she decides to disguise herself as a man named Cesario. She is wary of this new country the Captain names ‘Illyria’ and asks him to take her to Duke Orsino so she can find safe employment until she figures out her next move. Viola laments her separation from, and likely death of, her twin brother, Sebastian. Meanwhile, on the shores of Illyria, a young woman, Viola, a Captain and sailors emerge miraculously unscathed from a shipwreck. She is in mourning for her recently deceased brother and has committed to remaining unseen for seven years. Orsino is a romantic, and is awaiting a response from Countess Olivia, the woman he desperately loves. The play opens with Orsino, Duke of Illyria, who is listening to music and ruminating on love.
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