The Shakespeare Book

201

fallen for Cesario. Sir Toby and

his friends are partying when the

killjoy Malvolio complains about the

noise. As he leaves, they plot their

revenge on him, forging love letters

from Olivia to Malvolio, which he

discovers and believes are genuine.

At Orsino’s request, Viola

dressed as Cesario returns to

Olivia, who tells Cesario she loves

him. Sir Toby works on Sir Andrew

to challenge Cesario to a duel.

Antonio tells Sebastian he has

enemies at Orsino’s court, so they

decide to part. Convinced by Maria

that Olivia wants him to dress

colorfully, Malvolio changes his

normally drab clothes for yellow

stockings. Sir Andrew delivers a

challenge to Cesario. Just as

the two draw swords, Antonio

intervenes to rescue Cesario,

thinking him to be Sebastian,

but Cesario denies knowing him.

Thinking him to be Cesario,

Sir Toby attacks Sebastian, but he

is rescued by Olivia, who also thinks

him to be Cesario. Olivia proposes

marriage to Sebastian, thinking him

Cesario, and Sebastian, already in

love with Olivia, accepts. Hauled

before Orsino as a pirate, Antonio

THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MAN

Act 3 Act 4 Act 5

is deeply hurt that Cesario, who

he thinks is Sebastian, denies

their friendship. Olivia arrives and

claims Cesario as hers. To Olivia’s

shock, Cesario aligns herself with

Orsino, so Olivia summons the

priest to verify they are married.

Suddenly, Sebastian arrives and

greets Antonio with passionate

relief, as everyone else stands

amazed by his likeness to Cesario.

All is revealed. Orsino

acknowledges his love for Cesario

and proposes marriage. The trick

on Malvolio is revealed, and

Malvolio pledges his revenge. ❯❯

3.2

3.3 3.4 4.3

3.4 4.2 5.1

Convinced Cesario is his
rival for Olivia’s love, Sir
Andrew Aguecheek writes
to challenge him to a duel.

Antonio gives

Sebastian his purse

and they part company.

Sir Andrew and Viola

are about to duel

when Antonio

intervenes to save

his friend “Sebastian.”

Sebastian (as Cesario)

and Olivia marry.

Duped by Maria,

the somber

Malvolio shocks

Olivia with his

garish clothes.

Sebastian falls for

Olivia when she

rescues him,

mistaking him for

Cesario, while the

hapless Malvolio begins

to write a love letter

to Olivia.

Olivia is devastated

when her new husband

Cesario goes off

with Orsino.

5.1

Sebastian arrives, Viola

reveals her disguise, and

all ends happily,

except for Malvolio.