Plot construction in Twelfth Night
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night impresses the readers with its perfect blend of romance and comedy. Although
the play has a main plot and a subplot, the structure of the play has been skillfully handled in order to give
importance to both. Herein it is worth mentioning that Twelfth Night violates all the three unities. The action
of the play extends over several months and the shifts from one place to another at rapid succession. Again
there is the sub-plot which produces a comic effect in the play. However, it is important to note that the non-
observance of the unities in no way does any damage the play which remains one of the best execution of
the dramatist’s design in writing the play.
Act I serves as the exposition as it introduces most of the characters of the main plot. Viola's
disguise as Cesario also initiates the love triangle, for Viola falls in love with the Duke at first sight, while
the Duke is in love with Olivia. Olivia is initially attracted to, and then eventually falls in love with
Cesario/Viola. Act II presents the rapid rising action of the main plot with Viola's twin brother, Sebastian
traveling to Duke Orsino's court. The audience now waits for the complications that will arise because Viola
and Sebastian look alike. Olivia declares her love for Cesario/Viola indirectly through a ring sent to her. The
action is also focused on the subplot. Sir Toby Belch, Maria, and the other minor characters are determined
to teach the conceited Malvolio a lesson. This is the introduction to the subplot, which rapidly rises as
Malvolio reads the letter and then follows the instructions of the letter.
Olivia, now passionately in love with Cesario/Viola decides to tell Cesario/Viola about it. The
opportunity arises when Viola visits her again on behalf of the Duke. Olivia's open declaration of love for
Cesario/Viola marks the climax of the plot. Following the declaration, matters slowly begin to move in the
direction of resolving the complications arising as a result of Viola's disguise. The first of these situations is
when Viola is mistaken for Sebastian by Antonio. The audience, who waited for such complications to arise,
can now enjoy the humor of the situation. Hence one finds that towards the end of Act II, the falling action
of the main plot gradually moves towards a final resolution of the complications.
Act III also contains the climax of the subplot with a totally changed Malvolio in scene 4. While
conversing with Olivia, Malvolio constantly alludes to the letter written by Maria. Now, since Olivia has no
idea about the letter, she asks Maria and Sir Toby to look after Malvolio. His being shut up in the dark room
is the beginning of a rapid falling action of the subplot.
In Act IV, Sir Toby loses interest in the intrigue after being rebuked by Olivia. It is left to Feste,
who after teasing him for some time, promises to help Malvolio out of his predicament. Olivia marries
Sebastian in Act IV, mistaking him for Cesario/Viola. The plot thus moves closer to the resolution of the
complications.
Act V serves as a conclusion for the main plot as well as the subplot. Although it consists of just
one scene, the scene is long, the action fast paced, without any omissions or superfluous details to detract
the audience. The revelation of Viola's real identity resolves the complications present throughout the play
in the main plot. In keeping with the idea that "Twelfth Night" is a romance, Viola, who has always loved
the Duke, will now marry him. The Duke and Olivia are quite willing to shift their affections to Viola and
Sebastian. The main plot concludes on a happy note. The subplot too draws to its logical end, as Malvolio is
released from the dark room, and Fabian provides Olivia with the details of the intrigue against Malvolio.
Hence on the basis of the above analysis, it can be asserted that the main and the sub plot of
Twelfth Night are intricately connected to one another. Interestingly the key point which unites the main
