GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE English Literature
- Twelfth Night: the plot
Twelfth Night: the plot
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Shipwreck, disguise and mistaken identity create a love triangle in the land of Illyria.
The love triangle
After a shipwreck, Viola lands in Illyria, believing her twin brother Sebastian has drowned.
Disguised as a young man, Cesario, she serves Duke Orsino, who sends her to woo the Countess Olivia.
Olivia falls for Cesario; Viola loves Orsino; Orsino loves Olivia.
Disguised as a young man, Cesario, she serves Duke Orsino, who sends her to woo the Countess Olivia.
Olivia falls for Cesario; Viola loves Orsino; Orsino loves Olivia.
The comic subplot
Olivia's uncle Sir Toby Belch, the foolish Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the maid Maria and others resent Olivia's strict steward Malvolio.
Maria forges a love letter, apparently from Olivia, telling Malvolio to wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and to smile.
He obeys, is thought mad, and is locked in a dark room.
Maria forges a love letter, apparently from Olivia, telling Malvolio to wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and to smile.
He obeys, is thought mad, and is locked in a dark room.
Twins and resolution
Sebastian, alive, arrives with his friend Antonio. Olivia mistakes him for Cesario and marries him.
When both twins appear together the confusion is solved. Orsino will marry Viola.
Malvolio, freed, storms off: "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you!"
When both twins appear together the confusion is solved. Orsino will marry Viola.
Malvolio, freed, storms off: "I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you!"
Why does Olivia marry Sebastian?
- She is in love with 'Cesario'.
- Sebastian is Viola's identical-looking twin.
- She mistakes him for Cesario, and he happily agrees.
Answer: She thinks he is Cesario, the 'young man' she loves.
Shipwreck, Viola disguised as Cesario, a love triangle (Orsino, Olivia, Viola), the letter trick on Malvolio, Sebastian's arrival, mistaken identity, two marriages and Malvolio's angry exit.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.