Play description
Act I
Scene 1. Orsino, Duke of Illyria, is in love with Olivia, a wealthy noblewoman. She, however, is in
mourning for her brother and rejects him.
Scene 2. A young woman, Viola, has been shipwrecked on the Illyrian coast, having been separated
from her twin brother Sebastian, whom she fears dead. A Captain tells her about the lovelorn Duke
and she decides to dress as a boy and seek employment with him.
Scene 3. Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch, does not approve of her prolonged mourning. Her maid
Maria warns him that Olivia is displeased with his debauched behavior. Maria is also critical of Sir
Andrew Aguecheek, a foolish but wealthy knight whom Sir Toby supports as a candidate for his
niece’s hand in marriage.
Scene 4. The Duke urges Viola (now disguised as Cesario), to woo Olivia in his name. Viola,
however, reveals in an aside that “Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.”
Scene 5. Olivia is with her clown Feste and her steward, the dour Malvolio, when Viola/Cesario is
announced. Olivia tells Maria to dismiss the Duke’s envoy, but Viola persists and Olivia agrees to see
him. Olivia rejects the Duke’s suit, but is so charmed by the youth that she invents an excuse for
giving him her ring.
