Act One Summary

In the land of Illyria, the Countess Olivia has shut herself away for seven years from any suitor. She has done so in remembrance of her dead brother. However, Orsino, the Duke of Illyria, has fallen hopelessly in love with Olivia, and intends to woo her, despite her vow of solitude. Meanwhile, a girl by the name of Viola has recently been saved from drowning. however, she fears that her brother wasn't so lucky. She wants to get a job working for the Duke Orsino, but knows that he only wants gentlemen serving him, not women. So, she asks the Sea Captain to help diguise her as a man. The disguise works, and as a man by the name of Cesario, she is hired by the Duke Orsino. The Duke trusts Cesario, and tells him of his profound love for Olivia. So, the Duke sends Cesario to try to woo Olivia for him. He tells Cesario not to leave until he has spoken with her. Olivia ignores him at first because she thinks he is another suitor, but she finally allows him to speak with her. Cesario tells her that Orsino is in love with her, and wishes to marry her. Olivia tells Cesario to tell Orsino to stop sending people to woo her, because it won't work. However, Olivia starts to fall in love with Cesario. Little does she know that he is really a girl in disguise. Olivia says that if Orsino insists on sending anyone, it must be him, so that she can see him again. And so starts the tangled knot of relationships that is Twelfth Night.
           Meanwhile, while all of this is going on, there are other suitors after Olivia's heart. One of them is Malvolio. He bends to Olivia's every will, but stands no chance with her. There is also Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a wealthy drunk who Sir Toby Belch, one of Olivia's kinsman, convinces he has a chance with Olivia to get money and drinks out of him. There is also Olivia's waiting-gentlewoman, Maria, who is mixed up in this side plot as well.