Twelfth Night Acts 4 and 5

Act 4, Scene 1 Feste comes across Sebastian (who he thinks is Cesario) and tires to bring him to Oliva. However, Sebastian is confused because he doesn’t know this person. Toby and Sir Andrew enter Andrew thinks that Sebastian is Cesario (the guy he was about to duel a few minutes before) and he attacks him. (Remember Cesario walked off when “he” heard Antonio call him Sebastian) But Sebastian, unlike Viola, is a trained fighter, and starts to beat Sir Andrew with his dagger.

Act 4, Scene 1 Sir Andrew cries for mercy. Sebastian thinks he’s surrounded by madmen and decides to leave. Sir Toby (still thinking he’s Cesario) stops him, they insult each other, and prepare to fight. Olivia enters and sees Sir Toby preparing to fight the person who she thinks is Cesario. She yells at Toby, sends him away, and begs Sebastian (who she thinks is Cesario) to come into her house with her. Sebastian is confused, but sees no reason to walk away from a beautiful woman, so he goes with her.

Act 4, Scene 2 Malvolio has been locked up in the dark room and is very upset Maria asks Feste to pretend to be a priest named Sir Topas, while she and Toby listen in and laugh. Malvolio, who cannot see Feste inside his prison tells the priest (Feste) that he is not insane and begs to be set free. But Feste deliberately misunderstands him and says he’s really in a room full of bright windows and if he can’t see them, he must be crazy. Malvolio tries to get the priest to question him so he can prove his sanity, but Feste (using a fake voice) continues to twist his words. Sir Topas (Feste) tells Malvolio he’s definitely crazy and he must stay locked up. Feste then leaves.

Act 4, Scene 2 Sir Toby and Maria enjoy the joke, but are also getting tired of it. Toby worries that Olivia, who already is annoyed by his drunkeness, will figure out the prank and be very angry. They send Feste back to Malvolio, where Feste speaks (using both his own voice and the fake voice of Sir Topas) as if they are both talking to Malvolio Malvolio swears he isn’t crazy, and begs for paper, ink, and light with which to write a letter to Olivia. Feste promises to fetch him the items. He leaves.

Act 4, Scene 3 Meanwhile (in the same house), Sebastian is walking around, confused, but very happy. A beautiful woman—Olivia—has been giving him gifts and wants to marry him. He wishes he could find Antonio to discuss the situation with him, but when he went back to their inn, Antonio was not there. Olivia finds Sebastian (and has brought a priest) She proposes to Sebastian (who she still thinks is Cesario). Much to Olivia’s delight, Sebastian happily agrees, and they go off and get married.

Act 5, Scene 1 Orsino arrives at Olivia’s house, accompanied by Viola (still disguised as Cesario) and his men. The police show up looking for Orsino and dragging Antonio. Orsino, recognizes Antonio as his worthy enemy, but questions why he would come to Illyria, knowing it would be dangerous for him. Antonio tells the story of his rescue and befriending of Sebastian. He lashes out at Cesario (still thinking he’s Sebastian) claiming that Sebastian has stolen his money and has pretended not to know him. Cesario and Orsino are stunned and confused by his story.

Act 5, Scene 1 Olivia arrives and speaks to Cesario as though he is her husband (She has just married Sebastian a few minutes ago) Orsino is outraged, thinking that his dear friend Cesario has stabbed him in the back by marrying his love interest. Cesario, feeling helpless, denies what Olivia has claimed and prepares to go to her death, saying only that she loves Orsino. Olivia is shocked and hurt. She believes that her new husband is denying he married her. She calls in the priest, who (mistaking Cesario for Sebastian), confirms that he has just married these two Orsino is devastated by both Olivia’s rejection and Cesario’s betryal. He tells the pair he doesn’t want to see either of them ever again.

Act 5, Scene 1 Sir Toby arrives with a bleeding Andrew and accuses Cesario of attacking them Cesario of course denies this too (Because Viola never actually fought with Andrew) Olivia sends them out to get treated At that moment Sebastian shows up apologizing to Olivia for having beaten up two men on her property Sebastian notices Antonio standing in the corner and excitedly says he’s so glad to see him

Act 5, Scene 1 There is an awkward moment, where everyone in the room stares at Cesario and Sebastian Sebastian and Cesario begin to question each other until they realize who each other is Everyone suddenly realizes that Cesario is a woman!! Orsino, realizing it is Sebastian married to Olivia and not Cesario, doesn’t seem too upset about losing her to another man

Act 5, Scene 1 Turning to Viola, he says “You said you loved me when you were a man, do you still now that you are a woman?” Viola says YES! Orsino then asks to see her dressed as a woman. Viola says her female clothes are with the sea captain who has taken up a job with Malvolio Suddenly everyone remembers poor locked up Malvolio!

Act 5, Scene 1 Next Feste and Fabian arrive with Malvolio’s letter to Olivia (written from his cell) She reads it and orders him to be brought to her Malvolio arrives with the prank letter. Olivia recognizes Maria’s handwriting and realizes what’s happened Fabian explains why they played the prank Fabian also mentions that Sir Toby has just married Maria

Act 5, Scene 1 Malvolio is still very angry. He storms out, swearing revenge! Orsino sends a servant after him to smooth things over and collect Viola’s female clothing. Orsino then announces he is going to marry Viola that same day. All leave, except Feste who sings a final song. The song, however, is sad and about growing up and growing old.