Original: Why should I not, had I the heart to do it,
Modern: Why shouldn’t I, if I had the courage to do it,

Original: Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death,
Modern: Like that Egyptian robber who was about to die,

Original: Kill what I love?–a savage jealousy
Modern: Kill the one I love? It’s a brutal jealousy

Original: That sometimes savours nobly. But hear me this:
Modern: That sometimes seems honorable. But listen to this:

Original: Since you to non-regardance cast my faith,
Modern: Since you’ve thrown away my loyalty and don’t care about it,

Original: And that I partly know the instrument
Modern: And since I partly know the person

Original: That screws me from my true place in your favour,
Modern: Who has twisted me out of my rightful place in your affections,

Original: Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still;
Modern: Go on being a cold-hearted tyrant;

Original: But this your minion, whom I know you love,
Modern: But this favorite of yours, who I know you love,

Original: And whom, by heaven I swear, I tender dearly,
Modern: And whom, I swear by heaven, I care for deeply,

Original: Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
Modern: I will tear him away from that harsh gaze,

Original: Where he sits crowned in his master’s spite.
Modern: Where he sits like a king, causing his master pain.

Original: Come, boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in mischief:
Modern: Come with me, boy; my plans are ready for trouble:

Original: I’ll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,
Modern: I’ll destroy this innocent one that I love,

Original: To spite a raven’s heart within a dove.
Modern: To hurt someone who has an evil heart but looks pure.

In Act V, Scene 1 of “Twelfth Night,” the final act brings all the confused identities and mistaken assumptions to a dramatic climax in front of Duke Orsino’s palace. The scene opens with Orsino, accompanied by Viola (still disguised as Cesario), encountering Feste the clown, who engages in wordplay before Antonio and officers arrive. Antonio is brought as a prisoner, having been arrested for his past enmity with Orsino’s court, though he protests his recent service and loyalty. When Orsino questions Antonio about his companion, Antonio identifies Viola as Sebastian, claiming he has been with “him” for three months, which contradicts Viola’s three-month service with Orsino.

The confusion deepens when Olivia arrives and immediately claims Cesario (Viola) as her husband, producing the priest who married them. Orsino, feeling betrayed by his trusted servant Cesario, threatens violence, while Viola protests her innocence and devotion to her master. Sir Andrew and Sir Toby then enter, wounded and blaming Cesario for attacking them, though Viola denies any involvement in violence. The chaos reaches its peak with the entrance of Sebastian, creating the stunning moment when the identical twins finally appear together on stage. Sebastian’s arrival resolves all the mistaken identities: he reunites with Antonio, explains his marriage to Olivia, and reveals Viola’s true identity to the amazed onlookers, leading to Orsino’s realization that he can now love Viola in her proper form and his proposal of marriage to her.

Twelfth Night, Or What You Will opens with Viola and her twin brother Sebastian being separated in a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria. Believing Sebastian to be dead, Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is desperately in love with the Countess Olivia. Olivia, however, is in mourning for her dead brother and refuses to receive Orsino’s advances. When Orsino sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia on his behalf, Olivia instead falls in love with the disguised messenger.

Meanwhile, in Olivia’s household, her uncle Sir Toby Belch lives as a disruptive houseguest alongside his drinking companion Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who foolishly hopes to win Olivia’s hand. Olivia’s clever waiting-woman Maria, the witty Fool Feste, and these two knights conspire against Malvolio, Olivia’s pompous steward. They forge a letter supposedly from Olivia declaring her love for Malvolio and instructing him to wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and to smile constantly. Malvolio follows these instructions, leading Olivia to believe he has gone mad.

The confusion deepens when Sebastian, who has survived the shipwreck and arrived in Illyria with the sea captain Antonio, is mistaken for Cesario by various characters. Sir Andrew challenges Cesario to a duel, but when Antonio intervenes believing Sebastian to be Viola, he is arrested by officers who recognize him as a wanted man. The climax occurs when Sebastian encounters Olivia, who mistakes him for Cesario and persuades him to marry her immediately.

All confusions are resolved when Viola and Sebastian are finally reunited, revealing their true identities. Orsino, realizing that Viola loves him, proposes marriage to her. Sebastian and Olivia remain married despite the mistaken identity that led to their union. Malvolio is released from imprisonment but storms off angrily when the trick played on him is revealed, while the other characters celebrate the multiple unions and the restoration of order.