Act 1
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter VALENTINE and VIOLA in man’s attire, as Cesario
|
VALENTINE enters with VIOLA, who is dressed as a young man named Cesario.
|
|
VALENTINE If the duke continue these favors towards you, Cesario, you
are like to be much advanced. He hath known you but three
days, and already you are no stranger.
|
VALENTINE If the Duke keeps treating you so well, Cesario, you’ll go far. He’s only known you for three days, but he’s already treating you like a close friend.
|
|
VIOLA You either fear his humor or my negligence, that you call in
question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir, in
his favors?
|
VIOLA When you wonder whether he’ll keep treating me well, it makes me think his mood might change—or else I’ll mess up somehow. Do his feelings toward people change suddenly?
|
|
VALENTINE No, believe me.
|
VALENTINE No, not at all.
|
|
VIOLA I thank you. Here comes the count.
|
VIOLA Thanks for telling me. Here comes the Duke now.
|
|
Enter ORSINO, CURIO, and attendants
|
ORSINO, CURIO, and attendants enter.
|
|
ORSINO Who saw Cesario, ho?
|
ORSINO Has anyone seen Cesario?
|
|
VIOLA
10On your attendance, my lord, here.
|
VIOLA I’m right here, my lord, at your service.
|
|
ORSINO
(to VIOLA and attendants)
Stand you a while aloof. (to VIOLA) Cesario,
Thou know’st no less but all. I have unclasped
To thee the book even of my secret soul.
15Therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her;
Be not denied access, stand at her doors,
And tell them there thy fixed foot shall grow
Till thou have audience.
|
ORSINO
(to VIOLA and attendants) We’ll need some privacy for a little while. (to VIOLA) Cesario, I want a word with you. You know everything about me. I’ve told you all the secrets of my soul. So please go to her house; if they don’t let you in, plant yourself outside her door and tell them you won’t leave until they let you see her.
|
More Help
-
Character List
CHARACTERS -
Viola: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS -
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS -
Sex and Gender in Twelfth Night
MAIN IDEAS -
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES -
Themes
MAIN IDEAS -
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
