Twelfth Night – Act One Scene Two
Viola and sailors have been washed up a shore after a shipwreck
VIOLA
What country, friends, is this?
Captain
This is Illyria, lady.
VIOLA
And what should I do in Illyria?
Viola’s twin brother was also on the ship and Viola is worried as he was separated from the rest, The Captain tries to reassure her
Captain
… and, to comfort you with chance,
Assure yourself, after our ship did split,
When you and those poor number saved with you
Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother,
Most provident in peril, bind himself,
Courage and hope both teaching him the practise,
To a strong mast that lived upon the sea;
Where, like Arion on the dolphin’s back,
I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves
So long as I could see.
Viola hears about the count Orsino and the Lady Olivia who is in mourning for her dead brother. Viola decides to dress up like a man and gain employment with the Duke
VIOLA
There is a fair behavior in thee, captain;
And though that nature with a beauteous wall
Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee
I will believe thou hast a mind that suits
With this thy fair and outward character.
I prithee, and I’ll pay thee bounteously,
Conceal me what I am, and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke:
Thou shall present me as an eunuch to him:
It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing
And speak to him in many sorts of music
That will allow me very worth his service.
What else may hap to time I will commit;
Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.
The Captain agrees.
So we have a shipwreck, a lost twin and a woman pretending to be a man. All the ingredients of a Shakespeare play in fact
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