Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will

"Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will" by William Shakespeare is a comedic play written during the late 16th century. The story is set in the magical land of Illyria, revolving around themes of love, mistaken identities, and the complexities of human relationships. The plot introduces key characters such as Viola, who disguises herself as a man named Cesario, and Duke Orsino, who pines for the aloof Countess Olivia, who is mourning her brother's death. At the start of the play, we are thrust into Duke Orsino's palace, where he enjoys music as he laments his unrequited love for Olivia, who has sworn off men in her grief. Shortly after, the narrative shifts to Viola, who, shipwrecked and believing her twin brother Sebastian to be dead, decides to disguise herself as a man and seek employment in Orsino's court. As Viola navigates this new world, she becomes intertwined in a love triangle with Orsino and Olivia. Olivia, initially impervious to Orsino's affections, finds herself drawn to the young 'man' (Viola) sent to woo her, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings that set the stage for a tale rich in humor, heart, and eventual revelations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.