William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night The complex plot - full of mistaken identities, misdirected passions, high comedy, low tricks and unexpected intensity - begins as a ship, carrying the twins identical Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked off the coast of an imaginary country, Illyria. Viola is washed ashore on this alien coast and becomes convinced that her beloved brother is dead. He learns that he is near the home of Olivia, a young countess who is also grieving for her recently deceased father and brother. Olivia has therefore sworn not to have contact with men for seven years, and in particular to reject the amorous advances of the young Duke Orsino. Desperate to know how to survive, and to keep her twin brother's spirit alive, Viola decides to disguise herself as a boy. She transforms into "Cesario", enters Orsino's service and is soon sent to woo Olivia on behalf of the Duke. Olivia remains indifferent to Orsino's attentions but instead finds herself attracted to the young "Cesario", who in turn begins...