ACT V Summary

Feste enters with Malvolio's letter to Olivia, he is not in a great hurry to deliver it.  Duke Orsino, Cesario, and others enter.  Orsino sends Feste to fetch Olivia.  Antonio enters with officers and Cesario tells Orsino that Antonio rescued him from Sir Andrew.  Orsino remembers Antonio--he used to be a pirate and did a great deal of damage to Orsino's fleet, however, he was also a brave honorable opponent.  When Orsino asks Antonio why he is in Illyria, Antonio replies that he is the victim of witchcraft--he saved Cesario's (Sebastian's) life and then  the "ingrateful boy" would not return his money.  Olivia enters.  Orsino tells Antonio that Cesario has "tended" him for 3 months and what Antonio has said is impossible.  Olivia asks why Orsino is there and accuses Cesario of breaking an appointment with her.  Orsino is angry, he knows that Olivia is in love with Cesario and he orders Cesario to leave with him.  Olivia is dismayed at Orsino taking her new husband away.  Cesario says he goes willingly with Orsino.  Olivia calls for the priest who married her and "Cesario" to verify that they are married--he comes and verifies.  Orsino is livid.  Sir Andrew and Sir Toby enter crying for a surgeon because he has been wounded by "Cesario" (Sebastian).  The surgeon, however, is drunk and cannot come and everyone is generally confused with what is going on.  Sebastian now enters and apologizes to Olivia for wounding Toby, reminds Olivia of the words they exchanged, and joyfully recognizes Antonio.  Antonio compares Cesario and Sebastian to "an apple, cleft in two."  Viola now speaks, telling Sebastian that he resembles the brother she thinks died at sea and begins to describe her father.  Sebastian interrupts her saying that his father had the same characteristics.  Viola states that her real identity is hidden by "masculine usurp'd attire."  She is his twin sister and can prove it through the sea captain.  Sebastian tells Olivia that she has been deceived.  Malvolio is brought forward and Feste enters with Malvolio's letter.  Malvolio enters with Maria's love letter and Olivia recognizes that Maria has forged the note.  The prank is revealed and Sir Toby as recompense has married Maria. Olivia declares that Malvolio shall be plaintiff and judge against the pranksters.  Orsino turns to Viola and asks her to marry him.  Feste closes the play with a song.