Cover of Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

First published
1623
Reading level
Easy
Price
Free

About the book

"Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare is a romantic comedy written around 1601–1602. When twins Viola and Sebastian are separated by shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a young man and enters the service of Duke Orsino. A tangled love triangle emerges as Viola loves Orsino, Orsino pursues the mourning Countess Olivia, and Olivia falls for Viola's male disguise. Meanwhile, a comic subplot involves elaborate revenge against Olivia's pompous steward, Malvolio, through pranks and deception that spiral hilariously out of control.

  • Comedy plays
  • Mistaken identity
  • Twins
  • Siblings
  • Shipwreck survival
  • Illyria

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1526. Twelfth Night on Wikipedia.

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