One of Shakespeare’s later comedies and most loved. The Count Orsino seems to be in love with love itself pursuing a love that is perpetually requited. The object of his adoration, Olivia, is still mourning a dead brother and seems to have withdrawn from society and the overseeing of her own household. The officious Malvolio, the steward is in command with a rod of iron, or so he thinks. Toby Belch and his playfellows have other ideas.

When Viola gets shipwrecked and left on the island she decides to look for her twin brother and to do this she dresses herself in his likeness. This is bound to cause confusion but matters get worse when Olivia falls in love with this new incarnation.