Duke Orsino is lost in the thoughts of Olivia. He sits at his court listening to music. Valentine returns from Olivia. She refused to accept Duke’s message of love. She is in mourning at present. Duke praises Olivia’s devotion to her dead relations. Near the coast of Illyria there is a shipwreck. Viola is saved by the captain and brought to Illyria. Her twin brother, Sebastian, cannot be traced. Viola decides to stay here in the guise of a boy servant to the Duke, Cesario by name. Captain tells her about Orsino’s unsuccessful love-affair. Another suitor of Olivia is Sir Andrew, a stupid rich man. He is a friend of Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby, who brings him to Olivia’s house. Toby squeezes money from him giving him false hope. Toby is helped by Maria, Olivia’s maid-servant; Feste, the jester; and Fabian, another staff of Olivia’s household. But they are often harassed by Malvolio, the steward of Olivia. He is a proud puritan, resisting the merry-making of Toby and his group, who hate him much. But Malvolio is an efficient worker and Olivia depends on him. Malvolio thinks that Olivia loves him secretly. Viola, as Cesario, wins Orsino’s confidence by her handsome looks and manners. He sends Cesario to Olivia. Cesario should not return unsuccessful. Viola cannot refuse. But she is in a dilemma. She has fallen in love with Orsino. Now Olivia falls in love with the new messenger of Orsino. She refuses to accept Duke’s proposal, but asks Cesario to meet her again.
Sebastian is saved by Antonio, the captain of another ship. Antonio grows very fond of this young man. They come to Illyria. Sebastian wants to go into the city in search of his sister. Antonio cannot go with him as he is an enemy of Orsino. While returning Cesario is stopped by Malvolio on the way. Olivia has returned the ring presented by Orsino. Viola understands that the ring is Olivia’s gift for Cesario. Olivia is deceived by her disguise. She repents having taken this guise. It has created complication. Herself she can do nothing. Only Time can solve this problem. Toby and others make a plan to deceive Malvolio. They are angry when Malvolio rebukes them rudely for their late-night party. Toby replies that Malvolio’s puritanism cannot destroy the pleasures of human life. They decide to teach the proud man a lesson. Maria can copy Olivia’s handwriting. She writes a love-letter for Malvolio. It appears to be sent by Olivia. Orsino sits at his court listening to a sad song sung by Feste, in which a lover laments the cruelty of his beloved. Orsino gives Feste some money as reward. Feste conveys his gratitude. Duke asks Cesario to go to Olivia once again. Cesario tells him an imaginary story of a sister who concealed her love because of some problem. Thus Viola refers to her love for Orsino. When Duke asks more about Cesario’s sister, Viola evades with obscure reply. In the meantime, Malvolio gets the fake love-letter and reads it excitedly. The letter praises him and requests him to wear funny dress. Everybody waits for fun when Malvolio will meet Olivia.
Cesario comes to meet Olivia, who openly confesses her love. Cesario tries to stop her courtship giving hints to his secret. Olivia does not understand and encourages Cesario to consent to her proposal. When Viola leaves, she is stopped by Toby. Toby has told Andrew to threaten Cesario who seems to be Olivia’s recent attraction. Toby tells that Cesario must fight a duel with Andrew. Viola is panicked. Sir Andrew is also a coward and does not want to fight. Toby forces them to get ready for a fight. Now Antonio appears and mistakes Cesario Sebastian. Antonio comes in search for Sebastian who does not who does not return in time. Policemen arrive to arrest Antonio. Antonio asks Cesario for some money that he may need in jail. Antonio is surprised to notice that Sebastian behaves in a strange way, pretending not to recognize Antonio. When policemen took away Antonio, Viola guesses that this man knows Sebastian. She hopes that her brother is not dead. In the meantime Malvolio meets Olivia. He does what the letter tells him to do. Olivia thinks that Malvolio is mad. She asks Toby to arrange for his treatment. Malvolio is confined in a room on the pretext of treatment.
Sebastian is late because he is held up by Olivia who mistakes him as Cesario. Andrew also mistakes him and gets beaten when he attacks Sebastian. Olivia calls him inside and again talks of love. Sebastian falls in love with this unknown beauty and gives consent when she calls a priest for engagement ceremony. In the meantime, Feste agrees to carry Malvolio’s message to Olivia telling about his misfortune. After engagement, Sebastian goes to find out Antonio.
