PRODUCTION Twelfth Night [Di shier ye]
Data Type：production background
Title：Twelfth Night Synopsis
Source：Twelfth Night Performance Program
Place：Taipei
Publisher：Department of Theatre Arts, Chinese Culture College [Zhongguo wenhua xueyuan xiju xi]
Date：1980/5/7
Language：English
Abstract：synopsis
Twelfth Night, or What You Will (1599/1600). Viola, a wellborn young woman, is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and separated from her twin brother Sebastian, whom she believes drowned. Disguised as a page named Cesario, she enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is languishing with unrequited love for the countess Olivia. Viola gains the duke’s confidence and becomes his emissary in the courtship, although with time she falls deeply in love with him and he, without realizing it, develops a strong affection for his “Cesario.” Olivia soon becomes enchanted with this handsome “youth,” and sends him a ring through her melancholy steward Malvolio. In the subplot, the narrow-minded and pompous Malvolio antagonizes Olivia’s carousing uncle Sir Toby Belch, who with Olivia’s maid Maria, a clown, Feste, and an absurd knight, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (also a suitor for Olivia’s hand), plans to ridicule the egotistical steward. Malvolio receives a love letter, supposedly from Olivia but actually from the carousers, directing him to perform a number of ludicrous actions in order to please her. Following these instructions, he appears before the astounded Olivia, who, believing him to be mad, has him shut up in a dark room. Viola’s brother Sebastian has meanwhile arrived on the scene. Mistaken for Cesario, he becomes involved in a comic duel with Sir Andrew, who considers Cesario his rival. Olivia, mistaking Sebastian for her beloved “page,” insists on marrying the astonished but willing young man. On learning of the marriage, Duke Orsino sorrowfully denounces Cesario, who disclaims all knowledge of the event. The confusion of identities is cleared up by the appearance of Sebastian, who reveals that “Cesario” is Viola. Orsino then becomes betrothed to Viola and Sir Toby to Maria; Malvolio, now released, vows vengeance on the whole pack of them.
