Résumé
Résumé de Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will
À qui s’adresse-t-il ?
For readers who love witty talk, mix-ups that grow funnier by the scene, and stories where love is both silly and sincere.
De quoi parle ce livre ?
Twelfth Night is a comedy by William Shakespeare, written around 1601 and first printed in the First Folio of 1623. It was probably made for the festive season that ends Christmas, when the English world played at turning itself upside down. The full title, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, tells you the mood. The play gives you what you wish for: songs, disguises, practical jokes and love that lands on the wrong person.
The story takes place in Illyria, a made-up country by the sea. A young woman named Viola survives a shipwreck, believes her twin brother has drowned, and disguises herself as a boy to find work. From there, desire tangles everyone it touches. A duke loves a countess, the countess loves the messenger, and the messenger loves the duke. Meanwhile, below stairs, a drunken knight and his friends plot against a proud steward. In the first key point, we begin on the shore where Viola lands.
Dans ce résumé
- 1A shipwreck leaves Viola alone in IllyriaFree
- 2Orsino loves Olivia and Olivia loves Cesario
- 3A forged letter sets a trap for Malvolio
- 4Sebastian arrives and the confusion deepens
- 5What the play says about love and pretending
- 6How the play is told through songs and doubles
Point clé 1 sur 6
A shipwreck leaves Viola alone in Illyria
The play opens at the court of Duke Orsino, who lies about complaining of love. He asks for music, hungers for it, and then wants it to stop. His mind is fixed on the Countess Olivia, who has refused him. She has vowed to mourn her dead brother for seven years and wants no suitor near her.
The next scene brings us to the coast, where Viola has just come ashore. The ship she sailed on has broken up in a storm. The captain who rescued her says he saw her brother Sebastian tie himself to a mast and ride the waves. It is only a hope, but Viola holds to it, and gives the captain some gold for his news.
She asks about the land and learns of Orsino and of Olivia's grief. At first she wishes to serve Olivia, a woman who is also mourning a brother. But Olivia admits no one, so Viola changes her plan. She asks the captain to help her dress as a young man and to present her to the duke. She will call herself Cesario.
This choice sets everything moving. Viola is clever and careful, and she knows that a woman alone in a strange country has few safe paths. Her disguise protects her, but it also traps her. Within days, Orsino likes his new page so well that he tells him his secrets, and Viola, who hears them all, has already fallen in love with her master. She cannot say so, and that silence drives much of the play.
That’s 1 of 6 key points.
The rest of the summary, written and spoken, and the whole book: free to start.
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Who’s who
- Viola
- Viola is a shipwrecked young woman who serves Duke Orsino disguised as his page Cesario.
- Duke Orsino
- Duke Orsino rules Illyria and employs Viola as a messenger in his pursuit of Olivia.
- Olivia
- Olivia is a wealthy countess mourning her brother and resisting Duke Orsino's attempts to court her.
- Sebastian
- Sebastian is Viola's twin brother, rescued by Antonio and traveling under the belief that his sister drowned.
- Malvolio
- Malvolio is Olivia's proud steward, whose disapproval of household revelry makes him Sir Toby's antagonist.
- Sir Toby Belch
- Sir Toby Belch is Olivia's unruly uncle, who drinks heavily and exploits his companion Sir Andrew.
- Maria
- Maria is Olivia's resourceful gentlewoman, sharing Sir Toby's taste for mischief against the disapproving Malvolio.
- Feste
- Feste is Olivia's fool, entertaining her household with songs while exposing others' follies through jokes.
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek is Sir Toby's gullible companion and an unsuccessful suitor for Olivia's affection.
- Antonio
- Antonio is the sea captain who rescues Sebastian and becomes his devoted friend and protector.
About this edition
Every format is free to start, and print and large print are at cost.
- LengthAbout 22,000 words
- Reading timeAbout 1 h 30 min
- Listening time2 h 25 min
- FormatseBook, large-print eBook, audiobook, 15-minute summary; paperback, hardcover and large print at cost
- LanguagesEnglish and 11 other languages
Questions about Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will
What is Twelfth Night about?
It is a comedy about Viola, a shipwrecked young woman who disguises herself as a man in Illyria. Love tangles between her, a duke and a countess, while servants play a trick on a proud steward.
Why is it called Twelfth Night?
Twelfth Night is the last night of the Christmas season, a time of feasting and play when social rules were relaxed. The play shares that spirit of mischief and mix-ups.
Why does Viola dress as a man?
After the shipwreck, Viola is alone in a strange land and believes her brother is lost. She disguises herself as Cesario to find safe work and protection in the service of Duke Orsino.
Is Twelfth Night hard to read?
The plot is easy to follow, and the jokes and songs keep each scene lively. Hearing it read aloud is a pleasure too, because the witty talk and the mix-ups come alive.
Who is Malvolio and why is he important?
Malvolio is Olivia's steward, a stern and self-important man who looks down on the noisy household. He is the target of the play's main practical joke, and his story raises questions about pride and cruelty.