The duke, Orsino, tells Viola once again to return to Olivia’s place and convince her to love him. Before Viola leaves for Olivia’s, Orsino asks her why she looks troubled and she replies that she is in love with a woman of Orsino’s age and of Orsino’s complexion. Viola once again travels to Olivia’s and is met with open arms, as the guards let her into Olivia’s apartment without any hesitation. Olivia tells Viola not to speak of Orsino and that she loves “him.” Viola replies that she could never love a woman.
After Viola leaves, she is met by another misfortune. A man, who also likes Olivia, challenging her to a dual. Viola, although she had a sword, would be slaughtered by this man, for she, though a man on the outside, had a woman’s heart. Fortunately for Viola, a stranger showed up and protected Viola saying that if he attacked her, he would attack him. Viola was amazed that a man she never even knew was willing to do this for her, but before she could thank him, he was opposed by the “officers of justice” (police.) He asked, in return, if Viola would give him the purse he once gave to her. But she knew nothing of this man or the purse he claimed to have given to her. But, as the man was carried away, he called Viola by the name of Sebastian.
After the whole ordeal was over, Viola thought long and hard about the man, and how, if he was, connected to her brother. It turns out, the man who risked himself for Viola was actually Antonio the sea captain. He had saved Sebastian in the shipwreck and had let him aboard his ship, saving his life. Antonio had given Sebastian his purse, so, if he saw anything he wanted to purchase, he could buy it. And, the reason he protected Viola was in fact, him trying to protect Sebastian.
Later that day, Viola was worried about once again getting in a conflict, scurried home. Sebastian wanders through the town searching for Antonio when the man that had attacked Viola earlier, thinks he has found the same person again! He strikes a blow at Sebastian and Sebastian, not being one to back down from a fight, returned the blow with interest. The fight was broken up by Olivia who had seen what she thought was Cesario in a fight. She invited Sebastian into her house and he, though confused by the generosity of this stranger, followed. Olivia, finding “Cesario” in such a good mood proposed that they get married there and then, in fear he may change his mind. Sebastian agreed, and, after the ceremony was over, Sebastian went off to tell his friend Antonio the good fortune he had met with.
Fed up of sending messengers, later that day; Orsino goes to Olivia’s house to recite his love in person. The duke, as always, was accompanied by Viola. As Orsino and his pages arrived at Olivia’s, the officers of Justice brought before him their prisoner, Antonio. Once again, Antonio accused “Sebastian” of ingratitude and explained that for three months the youth, Sebastian had been in his company. Orsino called the man a liar and told him that “Cesario” had been his page for over three months. Antonio was then cast aside.
Olivia came down from her apartment and the duke, Orsino instantly started to flatter her by saying things like “heaven walks on Earth!” But, she soon stopped him by proclaiming her love for Cesario! The duke was deeply unimpressed and told Viola to come with him. He was angry and jealous and most thought he would sentence Viola to instant death. Viola, no longer afraid, proclaimed she would most joyfully die to give her master ease. Olivia protested to this and told Orsino that he could not kill her husband! Viola, creating even more confusion, said that she was not married and that Olivia and the priest’s statements were both false. Orsino just told her to never be in his sights again.
Now, here is where it gets really interesting!
Just when you thought the confusion was over…Cesario enters! He instantly proclaims Olivia to be his wife. After everyone had got over the shock of seeing two people with the same name, voice and looks, “Cesario” revealed that she was really a lady called Viola. After all of the errors are sorted out, Olivia decides to stay with Sebastian – and although was a little embarrassed with falling in love with a lady, thought of it as marrying a man. As for Orsino, his heart now brocken from his lost love, Olive, remember all the past times “Cesario” has said he loved him and how he always thought of Cesario as very handsome and poetic, realised that she may have actually meant more than just a page faithfully complimenting their master. He realised that she was actually in love with him, so, right then and there, he proposed to make Viola his wife. Although, he still couldn’t help calling her “Cesario” and “boy”!
The end.
