Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare, c. 1601

Shakespeare’s comedy of Viola, who is shipwrecked in Illyria and disguises herself as a young man to serve Duke Orsino, who sends her to woo the Countess Olivia for him.

Start reading18 scenes, about 21,000 words

Famous quotes

If music be the food of love, play on.
Act I, scene i.In context
- Love
- Music
I am sure care’s an enemy to life.
Act I, Scene III, spoken by Sir TobyIn context
- Happiness
- Life & Death
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage
Act I, Scene V, spoken by ClownIn context
- Comedy
- Marriage
Anything that’s mended is but patched; virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue.
Act I, Scene V, spoken by ClownIn context
- Good & Evil
- Virtue
O time, thou must untangle this, not I,
It is too hard a knot for me t’untie!
Act II, Scene II, spoken by ViolaIn context
- Time
Come away, come away, death.
And in sad cypress let me be laid.
Fly away, fly away, breath;
I am slain by a fair cruel maid.
Act II, Scene IV, spoken by DukeIn context
- Life & Death
- Love
She never told her love,
But let concealment, like a worm i’ th’ bud,
Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought,
And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument,
Smiling at grief.
Act II, Scene IV, spoken by ViolaIn context
- Love
Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.
Act II, scene v.In context
- Success
Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.
Olivia, scene iIn context
- Love

Act I

Scene IAn Apartment in the Duke’s Palace
Scene IIThe sea-coast
Scene IIIA Room in Olivia’s House
Scene IVA Room in the Duke’s Palace
Scene VA Room in Olivia’s House

Act II

Scene IThe sea-coast
Scene IIA street
Scene IIIA Room in Olivia’s House
Scene IVA Room in the Duke’s Palace
Scene VOlivia’s garden

Act III

Scene IOlivia’s garden
Scene IIA Room in Olivia’s House
Scene IIIA street
Scene IVOlivia’s garden

Act IV

Scene IThe Street before Olivia’s House
Scene IIA Room in Olivia’s House
Scene IIIOlivia’s Garden

Act V

Scene IThe Street before Olivia’s House