Twelfth Night Notes

Potted Summary
Sebastian and Viola are (heterozygous but strangely identical) twins washed up
in a shipwreck somewhere on the coast of Dalmatia (Illyria). Unbeknown to each
other, they both survive, Viola aided by the Captain, and Sebastian by a sailor
called Antonio. Viola hits on the plan of providing for herself by taking service
and disguising herself as a eunuch, and calling herself Cesario. (But of course.
Who would think of taking service as a female?) She goes to the local big-wig
Duke Orsino, whos lying about on couches groaning about how dreadfully in love
he is with his neighbour-lady, Olivia. He reckons the innocent-looking Cesario
might be just the trick to wangle Olivia out of the dudgeon shes in about her
brother dying, and sends him packing on a wooing-by-proxy errand.
Viola/Cesario displays a nimble bit of verbal shenanigans and gets Olivia not only
to listen but to fall in love with her. Is sent off with a blatant invite for her to
come back, and forget about the boring dude with the duchy.
Meanwhile were introduced to the sub-plot of the hangers-on at Olivias house.
Sir Toby Belch (no hints in the name there, eh?) is Olivias cousin, always drunk,
fraternizing with Maria the maid, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (the witless, muscleless
knight whos hot on Olivia), Feste the clown, Fabian the feckless bear-baiter, and
Malvolio Olivias joyless steward, who also happens to have some inappropriate
hots for his employer. Sir Tobys sponging off Aguecheek, rather like Iago off
Roderigo in Othello, and flirting with Maria. Everyone hates Malvolio for being a
pompous arse, and after Malvolio insults Feste in front of Olivia for not being a
very good comedian, the group plots revenge. Maria imitates Olivias
handwriting, claiming shes madly in love with Malvolio and that shes got a
fetish for yellow cross-gartered stockings - presumably the most ridiculous thing
they could think of. He duly finds the letter, and starts acting so oddly Olivia
reckons hes lost his marbles and tells the gang to take care of him. Which they
do by locking him up in the dark and jeering and taunting him, Feste in the guise
of Sir Topas, a supposed priest.
Viola goes backwards and forwards between Orsino and Viola, mumbling riddles
to him about her being actually in love with him (which go completely over his
head but of course the audience is in on it), and running away from Violas
vigorous amorous advances. As this progresses Sir Aguecheek notices Violas
paying more attention than she ought to Cesario and challenges the supposed
eunuch to a duel. Eek, thinks Viola, and even the utter coward Aguecheek is
emboldened. They part after a ridiculous skirmish, which is broken up by Antonio
the sailor, who thinks hes protecting his beloved Sebastian. Antonios duly
spotted by the cops and taken away because hes got history in the town. He
asks Viola for the purse he gave Sebastian earlier, and is astounded by the
seeming ingratitude when she pretends not to know him. Exit disgruntled.

While this is in progress Sebastian has finally made it to town, though apparently
it took him three months longer than it took Viola. He happens on the Oliviahousehold gang right after they part company with Viola/Cesario, and when
Aguecheek gives him an extra insult and a whacking he beats the crap out of
him in return. Olivia turns up on the scene and shoos them off, and like them, as
she cant see any difference between Sebastian and Viola, she lavishes affection
on him. He reckons whoa strange place but what the hell, the gal seems OK
apart from being a bit bananas, and when she asks him to marry her, he says
done deal. The confusion hots up when Viola next meets the Gang, who complain
about being so beaten up, which she denies doing. At this point even the lazy
Duke Orsino, whos never stirred from his ottoman all this while, turns up outside
and says Hm, I think Cesario my boy youre poaching mlady. Mlady turns up and
claims Cesarios her husband. Produces the priest who (like everyone else) cant
tell the difference and says yes, I just married these peeps. Orsinos not pleased.
The Malvolio plot has also come to light, rather awkwardly. The Gang hang their
heads, Olivia says Malvolios been abused. Malvolio exits threatening revenge on
the pack of you and you can be pretty sure that households not going to be
comfortable. Finally Sebastian turns up and ho hum, an understanding is
reached. Orsino decides to look on the bright side, stick to nuptial schedules and
marry his page instead, providing he changes into female clothes first. Antonio is
also hauled back out for an understanding. Happy ever after. Or is it?