ACT 1, SCENE 1

AUTHOR
We will tell you a tale that happened once upon the twelfth night or what you will. There was a shipwreck in a storm when almost all of those who were on the board drowned, but for two twins, a sister and a brother, Viola and Sabastian, who were washed up on the shore of an unknown land, Illyria, losing contact with each other and not knowing if they are alive.

Enter VIOLA and CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN
It is perchance that you yourself were saved.

VIOLA
O, my poor brother! And so perchance may he be.

VIOLA
What country is this?

CAPTAIN
This is Illyria, lady.

VIOLA
And what should I do in Illyria? Know’st thou this country? Who governs here?

CAPTAIN
A noble duke, in nature as in name.

VIOLA
What is his name?

CAPTAIN
Orsino.

VIOLA
Orsino. I have heard my father name him. He was a bachelor then.

CAPTAIN
And so is now, but he seeks the love of fair Olivia.

VIOLA
What’s she?

CAPTAIN
A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her.

VIOLA
Conceal me what I am, and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke.

ACT 1. SCENE 2

Enter SIR ANDREW, SIR TOBY BELCH

AUTHOR
Olivia, a wealthy, beautiful, and noble Illyrian lady, is courted by Orsino and Sir Andrew, but to each of them she insists that she is in mourning for her brother, who has recently died, and will not marry for seven years.

SIR ANDREW
Sir Toby Belch! How are you, Sir Toby?

SIR TOBY BELCH
Sweet Sir Andrew!

SIR ANDREW
By the way, I’m going home tomorrow, Sir Toby.

SIR TOBY BELCH
Pourquoi, my friend?

SIR ANDREW
What is “pourquoi”? Do, or not do? Oh, I wish I’d spent as much time learning languages as I spent on fencing, dancing, and bear-baiting! If only I’d taken school more seriously!....
I’ll home tomorrow, Sir Toby. Your niece will not be seen. Or if she be, it’s four to one she’ll none of me. That duke who lives nearby is courting her.

SIR TOBY BELCH
She’s not interested in the duke. She doesn’t want to marry anyone. So cheer up, there’s still hope for you, man.

SIR ANDREW
All right, I’ll stay another month. Ah, I’m an odd kind of guy. Sometimes all I want to do is see plays and go out dancing. Should we throw a little dance party?

SIR TOBY BELCH
Why not?

ACT 1, SCENE 3

AUTHOR
Orsino, powerful nobleman in the country of Illyria, is lovesick for the beautiful Lady Olivia too, who refuses to see any suitor.

Enter ORSINO and CURIO

ORSINO
If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it.

CURIO
Will you go hunt, my lord?...Do you want to go hunting, my lord?

ORSINO
What, Curio?
Why, so I do, the noblest that I have.
Oh, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Methought she purged the air of pestilence.

Her mind and heart will be ruled by one man alone—me! Take me to the garden. I need a beautiful place to sit and think about love.

ACT 1, SCENE 4
CURIO enters with VIOLA, who is dressed as a young man named Cesario, ORSINO

AUTHOR
Viola decides to make her own way in the world. She disguises herself as a young man, calling herself "Cesario," and becomes a page to Duke Orsino. She ends up falling in love with Orsino, but cannot declare her feelings and open up to the count.

CURIO
If the duke continues these favors towards you, Cesario, you are like to be much advanced. He hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.

VIOLA
I thank you. Here comes the count.

ORSINO
Has anyone seen Cesario?

VIOLA
I’m right here, my lord, at your service.

ORSINO
We’ll need some privacy for a little while. Cesario, I want a word with you. You know everything about me. I’ve told you all the secrets of my soul. So please go to the house of lady olivia and then unfold the passion of my love.

VIOLA
I’ll do my best to make this lady love you.—(to herself) But what a tough task!—I have to go matchmaking for the man I want to marry myself!

ACT 1, SCENE 5

Enter MARIA, MALVOLIO, OLIVIA

MARIA
Madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you.

OLIVIA
From the Count Orsino, is it?

MARIA
I know not, madam.

OLIVIA
Tell him he shall not speak with me.

MALVOLIO
Has been told so, and he says he’ll stand at your door like a sheriff’s post, but he’ll speak with you.

OLIVIA
What kind o' man is he?

MALVOLIO
Why, of mankind.

OLIVIA
What manner of man?

MALVOLIO
Of very ill manner. He’ll speak with you, will you or no.

OLIVIA
What does he look like? How old is he?

MALVOLIO
Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy.

OLIVIA
Let him approach.

OLIVIA
Your will?

VIOLA
Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty! Good gentle one, give me modest assurance, that I may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA
Are you a comedian?

VIOLA
No, madam.

OLIVIA
Tell me your mind.

VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear. Most sweet lady, let me see your face.

OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face? You are now out of your text. But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture.

VIOLA
That’s true beauty. Mother Nature herself painted your skin so white and your lips so red. My lady, you’d be the cruelest woman alive if you let your beauty die with you.

OLIVIA
How does he love me?

VIOLA
With adorations, fertile tears.

OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind. I cannot love him.

VIOLA

If I did love you in my master’s flame,
With such a suffering, such a deadly life,
In your denial I would find no sense;
I would not understand it... I’m a gentleman.

OLIVIA
Get you to your lord.
I cannot love him. Let him send no more—
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it.

AUTHOR
Olivia forgets about the seven years in her case, falls in love with 'Cesario'. She does not realise that'he' is Viola in disguise.

ACT 2, SCENE 1

Enter ORSINO, VIOLA, CURIO

ORSINO
Give me some music. Now, good morrow, friends.

VIOLA
It gives a very echo to the seat
Where Love is throned…

I’d bet my life that, as young as you are, you’ve fallen in love with someone. Haven’t you, boy?

VIOLA
A little bit.

ORSINO
What kind of woman is she?

VIOLA
Of your complexion.

ORSINO
How old is she?

VIOLA
About your years, my lord.

ORSINO
Too old by heaven. Find someone younger to love, or you won’t be able to maintain your feelings. Women are like roses: the moment their beauty is in full bloom, it’s about to decay.

VIOLA
That’s true. It’s too bad their beauty fades right when it reaches perfection!

ORSINO
Once more, Cesario, go visit that cruel Olivia. Tell her my love, more noble than the world.

VIOLA
But if she cannot love you, sir?

ORSINO
I refuse to accept that.

VIOLA
But you have to. Just imagine some lady might exist who loves you as powerfully and agonizingly as you love Olivia. I know a lot about the love women can feel for men. Actually, their hearts are as sensitive and loyal as ours are. My father had a daughter who loved a man in the same way that I might love you, if I were a woman.

ORSINO
Ay, that’s the theme.
To her in haste. Give her this jewel. Tell her my love won’t go away and won’t be denied.

ACT 3, SCENE 2

Enter VIOLA, OLIVIA

VIOLA
My duty, madam, and most humble service.

OLIVIA
What is your name?

VIOLA
Cesario is your servant’s name, fair princess. Your servant’s servant is your servant, madam.

OLIVIA
For him, I think not on him.

VIOLA
Madam, I’ve come here to try to make you like him.

OLIVIA
O, by your leave, I pray you,
I bade you never speak again of him. I had rather hear you.

VIOLA
Dear lady—

OLIVIA
Please, tell me what you think of me... Cesario, I love thee.

VIOLA
Me? ?
Goodbye, my lady. I won’t ever come to complain about my lord’s love for you again.

OLIVIA
Then come again for another reason. You might still be able to make yourself fall in love with me.

ACT 3, SCENE 3

Enter ANTONIO and SEBASTIAN

AUTHOR
Sebastian, Viola’s lost twin brother, arrives in Illyria, traveling with Antonio, his close friend and protector.

SEBASTIAN
You must know of me, Antonio, my name is Sebastian. My father was that Sebastian of Messaline, whom I know you have heard of. He left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour. If God had been willing, I wish we had died in the same hour too! But you kept that from happening. An hour before you pulled me out of the breaking waves, my sister drowned.

ANTONIO
Pardon me, sir.

SEBASTIAN
O good Antonio, forgive me your trouble.

ANTONIO
If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant.

SEBASTIAN
I am bound to the Count Orsino’s court. Farewell.

ANTONIO
But, come what may, I will go with you. Let’s meet at the Elephant.

SEBASTIAN
I remember.

ACT 3, SCENE 4

VIOLA, SIR TOBY BELCH, ANTONIO, SIR ANDREW

AUTHOR
Meanwhile, Sir Andrew continues courting Olivia, but he doesn’t stand a chance. He thinks that Cesario stands on his way to Olivia’s heart, so he challenges Cesarion to fight for Olivia.

VIOLA
But who is this person, sir?

SIR TOBY BELCH
He’s a knight. He was made a knight because of his court connections, but when he’s fighting a civilian he’s a real monster. He’s killed three people, and he’s so furious right now that the only thing that will satisfy him is seeing you die. “Fight to the death” is his motto.

VIOLA
I’ll go back inside and ask the lady for some kind of escort. I’m not a fighter.

SIR TOBY BELCH
Sir, he’s furious because you insulted him.

VIOLA
(aside) Pray God defend me! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man.

VIOLA
I swear to you, I don’t want to be doing this.

They draw their swords.
ANTONIO enters.

ANTONIO
Put your sword away. If this young gentleman has offended you, I’ll take the blame for it. If you’ve offended him, I’ll fight you.

SIR TOBY BELCH
You, sir? Why, what are you?

ANTONIO
I’m just a good friend of his. In fact, I’d do even more to him than what you’ve heard him promise to do.

SIR TOBY BELCH
If you’re someone who gets into fights, I’ll fight with you.

VIOLA
You must be mistaking me for someone else, sir.

ANTONIO
Will you deny me?

VIOLA
I don’t know you.

ANTONIO
Oh, my God! I saved this young man’s life when he was half-dead, and nursed him back to health lovingly and tenderly. I devoted myself to him, since he looked noble and good. But oh, what a deceiver he turned out to be! You don’t live up to your good looks, Sebastian.

ANTONIO leaves

VIOLA
He called me Sebastian. I know my brother’s still alive in a sense, since I see him whenever I look in the mirror. My brother looked like me, and he dressed the same way that I’m dressed now.

VIOLA leaves

SIR TOBY BELCH
He’s a very dishonest, puny boy, and more cowardly than a rabbit. He abandoned his friend here in an emergency, and even pretended he didn’t know him. That shows he’s dishonest.

SIR ANDREW
By God, I’ll go after him again and beat him.

SIR TOBY BELCH
Please do. Beat him up well, but don’t draw your sword.

SIR ANDREW
I swear I will—

ACT 5
SEBASTIAN, OLIVIA, PRIEST/ ORSINO, VIOLA, CURIO

AUTHOR
Sebastian discovers that many people think that they know him. Furthermore, the beautiful Lady Olivia, whom he has never met, wants to marry him.

SEBASTIAN (to himself)
Where’s Antonio, then? I didn’t find him at the Elephant. But he’d been there before me, and they told me he’d gone out looking for me.

What does this mean? Where is this all going? Either I’m insane or this is a dream. I hope these delusions continue. If this is a dream, let me keep on sleeping! There’s something going on that’s not what it seems. But here she comes.

Enter OLIVIA and PRIEST

OLIVIA (to SEBASTIAN)
Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,
Now go with me and with this holy man
Into the chantry by.

SEBASTIAN
I’ll follow this good man, and go with you;
And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.

Enter ORSINO, VIOLA, CURIO

ORSINO
Here comes the Countess. Now heaven walks on earth.

OLIVIA
Cesario, where are you? Where have you gone?... Ah! Here you are!

VIOLA
Madam?

OLIVIA
What do you say, Cesario?

VIOLA
My lord would speak. My duty hushes me.

OLIVIA
Ah, how awful, I feel so used! I’ve been tricked!

VIOLA
Who tricked you? Who treated you badly?

OLIVIA
Have you completely forgotten? Has it been so long? Call the priest.

ORSINO
(to VIOLA) Come on, let’s go!

OLIVIA
Go where, my lord?—Cesario, my husband, stay.

ORSINO
Husband?

OLIVIA
Yes, husband. Can he deny it?

ORSINO
Are you her husband, boy?

VIOLA
No, my lord, not me.

OLIVIA
You’re afraid, so you hide your identity. But don’t be afraid, Cesario.

PRIEST
They were joined in an eternal bond of love and matrimony, and it was confirmed by a holy kiss and an exchange of rings. I witnessed it all as priest. It took place just two hours ago.

ORSINO
(to VIOLA) Oh, you little liar!

VIOLA
My lord, I swear to you—

OLIVIA
Oh, don’t swear! Keep a little bit of honesty, even if you’re afraid.

SIR ANDREW enters

SIR ANDREW
For the love of God, call a doctor! Sir Toby needs help right away.

OLIVIA
What’s the matter?

SIR ANDREW
He cut my head and gave Sir Toby a bloody head, too. That was Cesario!

ORSINO
My Cesario?

SIR ANDREW
Oh, no, there he is! —You cut my head for no reason.

VIOLA
Why do you speak to me? I never hurt you.

Enter SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN
I’m sorry, madam. I wounded your relative. ... You’re looking at me strangely, so I guess you’re offended. But please forgive me, darling, for the sake of the vows we made to each other so recently.

ORSINO
One face, one voice, one way of dressing, but two people! A natural perspective, that is and is not!

SEBASTIAN
Antonio, oh my dear Antonio! I’ve been so tortured since I lost track of you!

ANTONIO
Are you Sebastian?

SEBASTIAN
Do you have any doubts, Antonio?

ANTONIO
How have you made division of yourself? These two people are as identical as two halves of an apple. Which one is Sebastian?

OLIVIA
Most wonderful!

SEBASTIAN
(looking at VIOLA) Do I stand there? I never had a brother...I had a sister who drowned. Please tell me, how am I related to you?

VIOLA
Sebastian was my father;
Such a Sebastian was my brother too,
So went he suited to his watery tomb.
If spirits can assume both form and suit
You come to fright us.

SEBASTIAN
I am a spirit, yes, since I have a soul. But my spirit has a body attached to it.
Welcome back, drowned Viola!

ORSINO
(to VIOLA) Boy, you told me a thousand times you’d never love a woman as much as you love me.

VIOLA
Everything I said before I’ll say again. I swear I meant every word.

ORSINO
I’m offering you my hand in marriage. You’ve called me “master” for so long. And now you’ll be your master’s mistress.

OLIVIA
(to VIOLA) You’ll be my sister-in-law!

MUSIC