Synopsis twelfth-night_-_aq

Twelfth Night

1. SYNOPSIS Presented To : Sir Imran Anwar Presented By : Abdul Qayyum

2. Duke Orsino Court In the Kingdome of Illyria, a noble Duke Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia a beautiful countess. Orsino ’s proposal has been turned down by Lady Olivia since she is in a mourning state as she has lost her brother. She does not like to meet any strangers for 7 years.

3. Shipwrecked !! Off the shore, a terrible shipwrecked by a storm. A pretty noble Lady namely Viola and her brother Sabastian are separated. Viola supposed her twin brother as drowned. Viola is saved by a friendly captain’s crew. The friendly captain tells her all about a Duke namely Orsino who rules Illyria and is still bachelor. Further, he tells him about Lady Olivia to whom Duke Orsino is courting.

4. Finds work at Duke place Viola wishes to work for Lady Olivia since she is all alone in this world and needs work. On realizing Lady Olivia’s mourning state, she elected to work for Duke Orsino but disguised as a man namely Cesario. Viola (disguised as Cesario ) found job at Orsino ’s court. She soon becomes his favorite. Orsino uses Viola ( Cesario ) as his page to deliver his love message to Lady Olivia . Viola finds herself in love with Orsino whereas Orsino considers her as a male.

5. The love Triangle In Lady Olivia ’s house Cesario ( Viola ) is denied but on insistence Lady Olivia meets him and falls in love with believing him to be a man. Hence forming a love triangle; Viola loves Orsino Orsino loves Olivia Olivia loves Cesario

6. At Olivia’s House In, Olivia ’s house, we meet her drunkard uncle Sir, Toby Belch , his foolish friend Sir Edward Aguecheek , a pretty witty noblewoman Maria who is in service of Olivia , Feste , the clever clown of the house, the dour, prudish Malvolio who is the steward.

7. Fooling Malvolio When Sir Toby and others take offence at Malvolio ’s constant effort to spoil their fun, Maria fools Malvolio by a counterfeited love letter supposedly from Olivia . Maria writes the letter in same way of Olivia which works perfectly and Malvolio is fooled.

8. Following the Letter The letter says, if he wants to earn her ( Olivia ) favor then he should dress in yellow stocking and crossed garters, act proudly, smile constantly and refuse to explain himself to anyone. Malvolio assumes that it is addressed to him and follows the instructions given in the forged love letter. By acting so, Olivia supposed him as mad and he is put into dark room, locked.

9. Sebastian is Alive ! Meanwhile, Sebastian , Viola identical and separated brother is saved by a sea captain Antonio . Antonio has cared for Sebastian since the shipwreck and is passionately attached with him. Antonio is obsessed with Sebastian ’s love so much that he took risk to follow Sebastian in Orsino ’s domain. In the past, Antonio while a sea-fight damaged Orsino ’s army very severely and they were old enemies.

10. Olivia A bone of contention? Sir Andrew observes Olivia ’s attraction towards Cesario ( Viola ). He himself is a candidate for courting Olivia . Sir Andrew challenges Cesario for a duel through a letter. Sir Toby who is an entertainer and often takes money from Sir Andrew supports the idea. However, Sebastian while searching for his sister ( Viola ) comes on the scene. He was staying in an inn with Antonio and having his purse. Sir Andrew and Sir Toby end up coming to blows with Sebastian thinking him as Cesario .

11. Identity Mistake? She asks him to marry her. Sebastian is perplexed as neither he knows the reason of fight nor the Lady Olivia . Since Olivia is wealthy and pretty, he agrees and both marries before the priest. Meanwhile, Antonio who was in search for Sebastian is arrested by Orsino ’s officers. Antonio on seeing Cesario ( Viola ) mistaking him as Sebastian . Antonio wants the pay bail so he calls for help from Sebastian who is having Antonio ’s purse. Cesario ( Viola ) denies knowing Antonio .

12. Sebastian a hope? Antonio is dragged off crying out that Sebastian has betrayed him. Cesario ( Viola ) on this account got hope that her brother may be alive.

13. Malvolio is insane? To tease Malvoli o more, Maria , Sir Toby prepare Feste the clown to dress up as Sir Topas, a priest and pretends to examine Malvolio . Sir Topas ( Feste ) declares Malvolio as insane and demon haunted. Malvolio protested to prove himself as sane. However, Sir Toby , begins to think better of joke and they allow him to send a letter to Olivia for release.

14. The family union Cesario ( Viola ) and Orsino arrive at Olivia ’s house. Olivia welcomes Cesario ( Viola ) as her husband thinking him as Sebastian . Orsino is furious but then Sebastian appears on the scene and all is revealed. The sibling asks each other some question to confirm their identity and finally united

15. Celebrations Cesario exposed his identity as Viola and Orsino realizes that he is too in love with Viola . Orsino asks Viola’s hand. We discover that Sir Toby has privately married Maria meanwhile. Someone recalls Malvolio and he is turned out from dark room. The trick is revealed on seeing his letter. Malvolio is stormed off leaving the happy couple to their celebrations.

16. Themes Appearance versus Reality Madness Love Social Class

17. Appearance versus Reality Disguise, I see thou art wickedness“ Appearances hide an important reality and sometimes get in the way of a character from developing or attaining his/ her goal. Thanks to Maria, Sir Toby and Fabian's prank on Malvolio he appears to be mad. Maria forged Olivia's handwriting and wrote a letter to Malvolio. The gullible Malvolio, being in love with Olivia believes she loves him. The letter tells Malvolio to dress in yellow cross gathered stockings. Of course, this is exactly what Olivia hates. He shows up to Olivia's house and she has sentenced him to a dark room because she believed that he was mad. He appears to be mad but in reality he isn't. The significance of the dark room is that in Elizabethan times it is believed that you can be cured of madness by being imprisoned in a dark room.

18. CONTI.. Another incident Of Appearance versus reality is portrayed by Olivia . This is as she has gone into mourning for seven years and refuses to see no one but servants and family Feste: "Good madoona , why mourn ' st thou?" Olivia: 'Good fool, for my brother's death." (act 1 scn 5) She appears to be mourning the death of her brother but actually, she isn't. She veils her self in memory Of her choice ( mourning) . Towards Orsino this is her reactions.

19. CONTI.. When Viola/Cesario show up, she sends for her. (if she is in mourning it should be on at all times). " give me my veil; come throw it over my face". (Act 1 scn 5) I am sick, or not at home. What you will to dismiss it". ( Act 1 scn 5). She says do or say what you will but get rid off him. This a message sends for Viola/Cesario. This is because Orsino has send him to woo the love Of Olivia for him.

20. CONTI… Olivia unveils. Upon meeting Viola/ Cesario she falls head of heals in love with him. "Unless perchance you come to me again to tell me how he takes it". (act 1 Scn 5).

21. Under the theme of Appearance versus Reality comes: Disguise Mistaken Identity

22. Disguise: The theme of disguise is one of the most important parts Of the play. Viola is used to portray the major disguise. Viola who is a woman is disguised as a man. As she works for Orsino her love for him grows, but she is forced to pretend or bury her love towards him because Of the choice she had made. 'O, time must untangle this not I " (Act 2 scn 3)

23. CONTI.. She would like to reveal herself but is unable to do so. Viola/ Cesario is sent to woo the love Of Olivia for Orsino. This is though as Viola loves Orsino but she must take up her role as Cesario and carry out the mission. " To woo your lady. Yet a barful strife: Whoe'er I woo,myself would be his wife"

24. CONTI… One could say Olivia is in heat for falling in love so fast but then falling in love is not a choice it just happens . One could also say is Viola didn't love Orsino she may have wooed Olivia's love for him but who is to know? The significance Of disguised can be looked at from two different ways . How does it affect the plot? How does it work thematically?

25. Mistaken Identity: " You do mistake me sir" Viola disguises herself once again. This time as her twin brother Sebastian. To Antonio, Viola is Sebastian, his good friend but since she obviously doesn't recognizes him so he gets up set. This is mistaken identity, through Viola's disguise Antonio is unable to see that she is not Sebastian. " Is't possible that my deserts to you Can lack persuasion? DO not tempt my misery, Lest that it make me see unsound a man As to upbraid you with those kindness That I have done for you" (Act 3 scn 4)

26. CONTI… Mistaken Identity shows again when the Officers arrests Antonio. Although Antonio had entered the scene to stop the shed of blood , the officers doesn't know and refuses to believe him. The Officers believe that he too was going to fight. His identity was mistaken and he was arrested. "You do mistake me sir" (Act 3 SCII 4)

27. CONTI… Sebastian now is disguised as Cesario. Olivia believes he is Cesario but she too has no made the mistake of mistaken identity. She believes he is the boy Cesario who she loves and she asks for his hand in marriage. "Let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway In this uncivil and unjust extent" (Act 4 scn 1)

28. CONTI… Sebastian who Olivia believes is Cesario wonders but accepts the strange enchantment just like Olivia's soliloquy in Act 2 sen 2. "I left no ring with her.... It is to o hard a knot for me to untie ". He accepts her proposal to marriage. Olivia is unaware Of who Cesario really is and hustles into marriage. This is as she wants the marriage done before Sebastian/Cesario changes his mind as the real Cesario- Viola, was hesitant before toward her.

29. CONTI… Now with Olivia believing Sebastian is Cesario so does Orsino . "O thou dissembling cub!" Orsino accuses Sebastian/Cesario Of disrespect and betrayal for knowing his love for Olivia and still marring her. He too has mistaken Cesario's identity .

30. Madness: " Are all the people mad?" (act 4 scn 1) There are two levels Of madness in the play. Madness in Love Mental madness No one in Twelfth Night Or What You Will is actually mad but in reality is sane. Madness overlaps or is an extension Of love and the desire to be love .

31. CONTI… Olivia- Cesario: " O by your leave, I pray you; I bade you never speak again Of him . But would you undertake another suit, I had rather hear you to solicit that Than music from the spheres. " ( act 3 Sen 1 ) This quote shows how madly in love Olivia started becoming with Viola/Cesario. Although Viola/Cesario was sent to woo the love Of Olivia Orsino, Olivia falls in love with her and tells her say no more about her master but tell her about herself as she would appreciate it over the music from the sphere. In Elizabethan time they believed that the most beautiful sounds came from the planets as they rotated . This showed how deeply or madly Olivia was in love with Viola .

32. CONTI… Madness in love is also explored with Orsino. Orsino-Cesario "Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds Rather than make unporfited return". Orsino tells Viola/ Cesario to go to all ends far and possible but come back with word from Olivia. Madness is a way for characters to express the intensity Of their romantic love.

33. CONTI… In act 2 scn 4 Viola also express her love for Orsino. "A blank, my lord. She never told her love, But let concealment like a worm I'th ' bud..". She tells Orsino about an incident where a girl had loved a man but she hide it and it tore her apart. In reality she was the girl and Orsino was the man.

34. Mental Madness: Maria, Sir Toby and Fabian plays a prank/ trick on Malvolio, they made him appear to be mad. Due to their knowledge that Malvolio loves Olivia they uses it against him, Maria forges a letter that Malvolio thinks came from Olivia. He shows up to Olivia's house in yellow cross gathered stockings, everything Olivia hates, she sentences him to a dark room. Another instance Of mental madness is when Antonio mistakes the disguised Viola for her twin brother Sebastian and due to his angry insistence that she recognizes him allows people to think or assume that he is mentally unstable. The normality Of life has turned topsy-turvy and everyone must confront a reality that is somewhat fractured .

35. Love: " Then let thy love by younger than thyself, Or thy affection cannot hold thee bent" In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Or What You Will find three different types Of love explored . They are; Romantic love Friendly love Self love

36. Romantic / True Love: "Be Clamorous and leap all civil bounds Rather than make unprofited return .“ Orsino duke Of Illyria is in love with Olivia. He wants Cesario to go to all ends just to get a reply from Olivia for him. Since Olivia refuses to return the love for Orsino so he sends Cesario to woo the love Of Olivia for him. Instead, Olivia accidently falls in love with Viola/Cesario and is willing to give anything in return for Viola / Cesario's love . "I'd rather hear you to solicit that than music from the spheres "

37. CONTI… This is a clear indication that Olivia loves Viola because she tells her she prefers the sound of her voice that the rotation of the planets , which in Elizabethan times was the most beautiful sound which the music Of the spheres were supposedly exerted a magical influence. Although Viola is aware Of Olivia's love for her she says she can't give her as her heart belongs else where and also she is a woman. (act 3 Sen 1). " By my troth I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one , though..."

38. CONTI… Another example Of romantic love is when Maria, Sir Toby and Fabian trick Malvolio into dressing into dressing the exact way Olivia hates . He does this because he thinks Olivia loves him.

39. Friendship Love: There are many Of friendship love in Twelfth Night Or What You Will The first between Viola/Cesario and Orsino duke Of Illyria as within a few days she had the trust Of Orsino. " He hath know but three days and already you are no stranger ". (act 1 scn 4) Another is between Sebastian and Antonio. This is through their language Of poetry it is seen as the ultimate mark Of true friendship. " The gentleness Of all god go with thee.... The danger shall still seem sport and I will go."

40. Self Love: Throughout the play the sub-theme Of self love is expressed through the portrayal Of Sir Andrew. “He does it with a better grace, but I do it more natural’' ( act 2 scn 3) Everything someone claims or can do Malvolio says he can do it better. " O you are sick Of self-love, Malvolio and taste with a distempered appetite .“ (Act 1 scn 3)

41. Unrequited Love: Unrequited love a love that is not returned. This was portrayed through Orsino and Olivia. Orsino loved Olivia till he was sick. "if music be the food Of love play on, give me excess of it that surfeiting" He loved Olivia so much that he forgot about all his responsibilities as a duke. Since she fell in love with Cesario and married Sebastian who she thought was Cesario. He want to satisfy his love thirst but is unable to. Love as a cause Of pain can come from unrequited love. "My state is desperate for my master's love" (act 2 scn3) This can result in violence. Just as in (act 5 sen 1) when Orsino threatens the life Of Olivia because she doesn't love him. "kill what I Love..."

42. Social Class: The play is concerned with social ambition especially relating to marriage above or below ones rank . This was explored in Malvolio's plot , where the play takes particular pleasure in ridiculing Malvolio's social climbing fantasies. This is as he loves Olivia. In Shakespeare's time or the era in which the play was made a woman Of height status wouldn't marry someone Of a lower status as it would have damaged their rank.

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