Newly shipwrecked Viola arrives in Illyria, believing her brother Sebastian to be drowned. She learns about Duke Orsino and the Countess Olivia, and decides to disguise herself as a man to serve the Duke, enlisting the Captain's help.
VIOLA: What country, friends, is this?
CAPTAIN: This is Illyria, lady.
VIOLA: And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drowned.—What think you, sailors?
CAPTAIN: It is perchance that you yourself were saved.
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from Twelfth Night
Act II, Scene 1 — Sebastian's Revelation
from Twelfth Night
Antonio tries to convince Sebastian to let him accompany him, but Sebastian insists on traveling alone, fearing his bad luck will affect Antonio. Sebastian then reveals his true identity and the tragic loss of his twin sister, Viola, to Antonio.
Act II, Scene 2 — Viola's Soliloquy
from Twelfth Night
Viola, disguised as Cesario, receives a ring from Malvolio, sent by Olivia. Viola realizes Olivia has fallen in love with 'Cesario' and is distraught by the complicated love triangle that has emerged, as she loves Orsino, who loves Olivia.
Act II, Scene 2 — Viola's Confusion of Love
from Twelfth Night
Viola realizes that Olivia has fallen in love with her male disguise, Cesario, after being sent a ring under false pretenses. She reflects on the complications of her deception and the messy love triangle involving herself, Olivia, and Duke Orsino.
Act IV, Scene 3 — Sebastian's Soliloquy
from Twelfth Night
Sebastian reels from a whirlwind encounter with Olivia, who has mistaken him for his twin sister Viola in disguise. He attempts to rationalize his sudden good fortune and the lady's apparent sanity despite her erratic behavior toward him.
Similar Scenes
Electra's Confrontation with Clytemnestra
from Electra
Electra engages in a fierce verbal battle with her mother, Clytemnestra, regarding the murder of her father, Agamemnon. The scene explores themes of justice, familial betrayal, and the cycle of vengeance.
Act II — Masha and Vershinin's Confession
from Three Sisters
Masha and Vershinin, both trapped in unhappy marriages, share a moment of vulnerability and mutual longing. They discuss the weight of their current lives and the hope for a more beautiful future.
Antigone's Defiance
from Antigone
Antigone is brought before King Creon after defying his edict by burying her brother. She boldly defends her actions, citing divine law over mortal decrees, while Creon condemns her to death for her subversion of the state.
Act I, Scene 3 — Helena's Confession
from All's Well That Ends Well
Helena kneels before the Countess to confess her secret and unrequited love for the Countess's son, Bertram. She articulates the purity of her devotion despite the social disparity between them, likening her hopeless adoration to a religious ritual.