Plot Summary (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• Duke Orsino of Illyria laments his unrequited love for Countess Olivia, who is mourning her brother's death and refuses to entertain suitors.

Scene 2

• Viola, shipwrecked and believing her twin brother Sebastian to be dead, decides to disguise herself as a man, Cesario, to serve Duke Orsino.

Scene 3

• Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and his friend, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a foolish suitor of Olivia, engage in drunken revelry.
• Maria, Olivia's maid, chides them for their behaviour.

Scene 4

• Viola, as Cesario, quickly becomes a favourite of Orsino.
• Orsino sends Cesario to woo Olivia on his behalf, unaware of Viola's true identity and her growing love for him.

Scene 5

• Cesario (Viola) delivers Orsino's message to Olivia.
• Olivia falls in love with Cesario, unaware that he is Viola in disguise.

Act II

Scene 1

• Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, is revealed to be alive and is rescued by Antonio, a sea captain who cares for him.

Scene 2

• Malvolio, Olivia's steward, delivers a ring to Cesario, which Olivia has sent as a pretext to see Cesario again.
• Viola realises Olivia's affection for Cesario and laments the complications.

Scene 3

• Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste the fool continue their late-night carousing.
• Maria devises a prank on the pompous Malvolio by writing a fake love letter from Olivia, hinting at her affection for him.

Scene 4

• Orsino, still unaware of Cesario's true identity, discusses love with Cesario (Viola).
• Cesario indirectly expresses her love for Orsino.

Scene 5

• Malvolio finds Maria's forged letter and, believing it to be from Olivia, fantasises about rising in social status by marrying her.
• The letter instructs him to behave oddly, wearing yellow stockings and smiling excessively, which he eagerly adopts.

Act III

Scene 1

• Cesario (Viola) returns to Olivia's house.
• Olivia confesses her love for Cesario, who gently rejects her.

Scene 2

• Sir Andrew decides to challenge Cesario to a duel to impress Olivia.
• Sir Toby encourages the duel for his amusement.

Scene 3

• Sebastian and Antonio arrive in Illyria.
• Antonio gives Sebastian his purse and decides to stay in a nearby inn.

Scene 4

• Malvolio, following the letter's instructions, behaves bizarrely, much to Olivia's confusion.
• Olivia, believing Malvolio is mad, entrusts him to Sir Toby's care.
• Sir Andrew and Cesario (Viola) reluctantly prepare to duel, but Antonio intervenes, mistaking Cesario for Sebastian.
• Antonio is arrested, and Cesario is bewildered by the mistaken identity.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Sebastian encounters Feste and Sir Andrew, who mistake him for Cesario.
• Sebastian, confused, fights Sir Andrew and Sir Toby.
• Olivia intervenes and, mistaking Sebastian for Cesario, invites him to her house, where he agrees to marry her.

Scene 2

• Maria, Sir Toby, and Feste mock Malvolio, who is imprisoned as a madman.
• Feste disguises himself as a priest to torment Malvolio further.

Scene 3

• Sebastian, bewildered but delighted by Olivia's love, agrees to marry her.

Act V

Scene 1

• Orsino arrives at Olivia's house with Cesario (Viola).
• Antonio is brought before Orsino and accuses Cesario of betrayal, confusing everyone.
• Olivia greets Cesario as her husband, furthering the confusion.
• Sebastian arrives, and the twins, Viola and Sebastian, are joyfully reunited.
• Viola reveals her true identity, and Orsino proposes to her.
• Malvolio is released and vows revenge on those who have wronged him.
• The play concludes with celebrations and promises of marriage for Orsino and Viola, and Olivia and Sebastian.