Click on any scene below for a side-by-side translation from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Act 1, Scene 1
Hanging out in his court in Illyria, the moody Duke Orsino listens to the live band he keeps around on retainer and talks about love. At first, he says he can't get enough of music because it reall...
Act 1, Scene 2
Viola, a few sailors, and a (sea) Captain arrive on shore, and Viola asks where they are. The Captain says they're in Illyria.Viola is bummed that she's in Illyria and says her brother is probably...
Act 1, Scene 3
Meanwhile, back at Olivia's pad, Sir Toby Belch (who has been drinking all night) complains that his niece, Olivia, needs to snap out it—she's mourned for her dead brother long enough and now it'...
Act 1, Scene 4
Back at Duke Orsino's pad, Valentine gives props to "Cesario" (Viola in disguise) for making a name for "himself" in such a short time in the Duke's service.Viola (as "Cesario"), who has clearly sp...
Act 1, Scene 5
Over at Olivia's place, Maria and Feste the Clown goof around, talking trash. Feste makes a dirty joke about how "well hung" he is when Maria tells him that Olivia will literally hang...
Act 2, Scene 1
On a sea coast near Illyria we sort of stumble upon two guys (Antonio and Sebastian) in mid-conversation. Antonio wants to know why Sebastian is heading out on his own. Sebastian says somethin...
Act 2, Scene 2
On a street outside Olivia's place, Malvolio catches up with Viola ("Cesario") and asks "him" if he was the brat that was just at Olivia's place chatting her up about the Duke.Malvolio is all snobb...
Act 2, Scene 3
Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek have just returned to Olivia's pad from another all-night party. Toby says that, since it's after midnight and they're awake, they're just like a couple of healthy p...
Act 2, Scene 4
Back at Orsino's court, the Orsino asks "Cesario" to have his musicians sing the song he so enjoyed last night.Curio jumps in to say sorry, it was Feste—the fool Olivia's dad liked so much—who...
Act 2, Scene 5
In Olivia's garden, Toby and Aguecheek hang out with Fabian, who worries that he'll get in trouble again if he helps them trick Malvolio. Seems Malvolio told on Fabian earlier for holding a bear-ba...
Act 3, Scene 1
In Olivia's garden, "Cesario" and Feste shoot the breeze. They talk about how easy it is to play with words and make them have double meanings.Feste says for that reason, he wishes his sister didn'...
Act 3, Scene 2
Back at Olivia's pad, Sir Andrew Aguecheek tells Fabian and Sir Toby Belch that he's out of there—Olivia's never going to marry him so he should just go home. In fact, Olivia seems to be after Du...
Act 3, Scene 3
Meanwhile, Sebastian has rolled up in Illyria and stands in a street chatting with Antonio, who, apparently, has insisted on following his beloved Sebastian.Antonio says his desire (like sharp "ste...
Act 3, Scene 4
In her garden, Olivia frets about whether or not "Cesario" will come back for a little visit. Then she asks Maria where Malvolio is.Maria tells Olivia that Malvolio's on his way, but he's acting li...
Act 4, Scene 1
Meanwhile, outside of Olivia's house, Feste has stumbled across Sebastian (Viola's un-dead brother) and has mistaken him for "Cesario" (Viola's disguise).Feste tells Sebastian that Olivia's looking...
Act 4, Scene 2
Inside Olivia's house, Maria makes Feste wear a disguise and pretend he's a clergyman named Sir Topas, who has come to visit Malvolio. Malvolio is now locked up like a prisoner in a dark room...
Act 4, Scene 3
In Olivia's garden, Sebastian can't believe his good fortune—Olivia, who he has just met, is totally into him and recently gave him a pearl as a token of her love. (Sebastian doesn't know that Ol...
Act 5, Scene 1
In front of Olivia's house, Fabian and Feste argue about a letter that Feste won't show Fabian.Duke Orsino, "Cesario," Curio, and some Lords show up looking for Olivia. Feste makes some clever...