Twelfth Night · Chapter
Scene III explained
Sebastian, marveling at the fortune and the pearl given to him by Olivia, searches for Antonio.
What happens
Sebastian, marveling at the fortune and the pearl given to him by Olivia, searches for Antonio. Olivia arrives with a priest and urges Sebastian to marry her immediately; Sebastian agrees, swearing eternal truth, and they exit to the chantry.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
In this scene, the dramatic climax occurs when Duke Orsino, who has been obsessed with Olivia, unknowingly con…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Mistaken Identity and Recognition
Sebastian is mistaken for Cesario, leading to a hasty marriage with Olivia.
- Love and Desire
Olivia's urgent desire to marry Sebastian, whom she believes to be Cesario.
Characters to notice
- Sebastian
Marvels at his fortune and the pearl, agrees to marry Olivia.
- Olivia
Urges Sebastian to marry her at once with the priest.
- Master Parson
The priest who is to officiate the marriage.
Key passages
“This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see’t; And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus, Yet ’tis not madness.”
I can feel and see this pearl she gave me; though it amazes me, I am not insane.
Sebastian reassures himself that his experience is real.
“Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well, Now go with me and with this holy man Into the chantry by: there, before him, And underneath that consecrated roof, Plight me the full assurance of your faith;”
Do not criticize my urgency. If your intentions are good, come with me and this priest to the nearby chapel, and there swear your faith to me.
Olivia presses Sebastian to marry her immediately.
