Scene i: The setting is the foreign land of Illyria, and the play opens at the palace of the youthful Duke Orsino as he speaks in lyrical but melancholy verse about his love for a beautiful countess, Olivia. A messenger arrives with bad news for the Duke: Olivia has rejected his marriage proposal, saying that she wishes to enter into a period of seclusion following the death of her brother. This vow only adds to the Duke's admiration of Olivia and her devotion increases his ardor.
Scene ii: On the seacoast of Illyria, we see the play's chief protagonist, Viola with a sea captain and learn that the ship that they were sailing on has been wrecked. Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, was aboard the same vessel. Although his fate is still unknown, the captain tells Viola that Sebastian may also have been rescued. The story of Duke Orsino's unrequited love for Olivia is related to Viola by the captain. She then decides to join the Duke's court disguised as a young man.
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