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Jul 31, 2015 · Act 1, scene 5. Viola, in her disguise as Cesario, appears at Olivia’s estate. Olivia allows Cesario to speak with her privately about Orsino’s love. As Cesario presents Orsino’s love-suit, Olivia falls in love with Cesario. She sends her steward, Malvolio, after Cesario with a ring.
Actually understand Twelfth Night Act 1, Scene 5. Read every line of Shakespeare’s original text alongside a modern English translation.
Viola, disguised as Cesario, is let in to see Olivia. Viola begins to deliver the love speech that Orsino gave her, but Olivia refuses to hear the memorized speech. Viola is eloquent enough to make Olivia pay attention to her, though, as she praises Olivia’s great beauty and virtues to the skies.
Olivia first instructs her attendants to send Feste away, but he teases her into better spirits by saying that she is the fool of the two of them—for mourning her brother, who is in heaven. This pleases Olivia. But Malvolio disapproves and calls Feste a "barren rascal" (1.5.76).
A room in Olivia’s house. (Maria; Clown Feste; Lady Olivia; Malvolio; Attendants; Sir Toby; Viola) Enter Maria and Clown Feste. Maria. Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter, in way of thy excuse. My lady will hang thee for thy absence. 1. Feste.
VIOLA. Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself, for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from my commission. I will on with my speech in your praise and then show you the heart of my message. VIOLA. Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself, for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve.
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The situation is now extremely complicated: Olivia loves a girl (Viola) masquerading as a boy (Cesario), while Duke Orsino loves Olivia, who rejects him, and he is in turn loved by a girl (Viola) who, to the duke, is merely a young man whose company he delights in.