The Oxford Dictionary of Plays

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Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night (Twelfe Night, Or what you will)

Alternative Title: What You Will

Author: William Shakespeare

First Performance: c.1601–2, London

Published: 1623

Genre: Com. in 5 acts; blank verse and prose

Setting: Illyria, Renaissance period

Cast: 11m, 3f, extras

Orsino, Duke of Illyria, is in love with Olivia, who is mourning for her brother. Shipwrecked on the shore of Illyria, Viola believes that her identical twin brother has been drowned. She disguises herself as a boy Cesario, and finds employment with Orsino. Olivia's steward Malvolio, a puritanical guardian of decorum in his mistress's household, finds himself obliged to reprimand her drunken cousin Sir Toby Belch and his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who fancies himself as Olivia's suitor. The two knights plan to...

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