Twelfth Night Episode 3 - "What Country, Friends, Is This?" Scene 4

3 DAYS EARLIER...

Much further to the north, along the beach, Antonio Bordega, legendary pirate, strolls along the coast. He is alone. He spends much of his time alone these days, having retired from his piracy the year previously. No one really knew that. In fact, when he had given up his pirating ways, he had sold his ship and supplies to his first mate, who had been given permission to continue the legend of Antonio Bordega. And so, for many, nothing had changed. The pirate ship The Black Heart still plied the waters, plundered gold, harrassed merchants, and, generally, was a royal pirate pain to everyone and anyone. However, for Antonio, everything had changed. He now finds himself lost often in his own thoughts, wondering what he should do next. He is content to have ended his piracy, but now his life seems unfulfilled and without purpose. Something has to come and fill that void. While it would be foolish to say that he has regrets about his past - his stockpile of gold, riches, and a grim satisfaction in his reputation would say otherwise - he contemplates if there is something good he can now do with his life, give it some balance.

As he contemplates, he gazes out across the vastness of the sea. Every once in a while, he spots a ship and he fancies it The Black Heart. He watches as the remnants of a vast storm surge away to the north. His eye catches on a piece of floating ship wreckage - not all that uncommon, especially this time of year. Yet his eye lingers on it. Something is not quite right about it, something...there it is, movement! There is  person tied to the wreckage.

Antonio races down the cliffs to the beach, where he plunges into the water, stroking towards the wreckage. Grabbing hold, he steers the flotsam and its passenger out of the sea current, where it would have been drawn yet further north, into colder and less habitable water, and up onto the beach. The person in the wreckage groans. He is alive! Maybe barely, but alive! How long has he been tied to this wreckage! Antonio draws his knife and cuts through the cord securing the man to the wreckage.

The man shakily sits up and peers at Antonio through salt encrusted eyes. His eyes drop to the knife in Antonio's hand and the sword he carries at his hip. Antonio casually puts the knife back in his belt. "Do you have a name?"

The man - for it truly is Sebastian, not lost at sea as Shaw and Viola presume - hesitates, as if weighing the odds of something in his head, then responds, "Roderigo." The name sounds false and thick on the man's tongue, but Antonio doesn't press the matter.

"Alright, Roderigo, come with me. I have a place not far from here where we can rest you up and get you some food. You look like you could use it..."

THREE DAYS PASS (NOW THE SAME DAY AS THE EVENTS OF SCENE 3)

Now choose 1 of the 3 options below to complete our production of Episode 3 of Twelfth Night. For each additional option that you complete, I will give you +.5 E.C. (so +1 EC available today). Make sure to complete them fully to the end and answer any question(s) found there. If you are doing them as EC, you only need to answer the question(s) on the first video you watch. On the other ones (the extra credit), you can just type EC as the answer.

• Option #1 - Modern Text Version: Click here
• Option #2 - Stage Performance Set in Modern Day: Click here
• Option #3 - Summary/Analysis: Click here

The curtain now closes on the third episode of our tale. The tension begins to mount as we now know things that the characters don't. Each of the twins thinks the other is dead. The one (Viola) is dressed to look like Sebastian as her disguise...what could possibly go wrong? Stay tuned next week for Episode 4, where we will be whisked off to the grand court of the Lady Olivia, catch a glimpse at life "downstairs" with the servants, and see what happens when Viola/Cesario brings Olivia the Duke Orsino's message of love.

Twelfth Night Episode 3 - "What Country, Friends, Is This?" Scene 3

Viola and Captain Shaw stumble through the early morning light, soon finding the cobblestone path that will lead them to Duke Orsino's palace. Viola, now under the guise of Cesario, walks slightly ahead of Captain Shaw who observes her.

"You need to walk with a little less determinedness in your step, Cesario," Shaw instructs. "Right now, your gait screams nervousness."

Viola huffs, "That's because I am."

"You'll also have to ditch that sass, Cesario," Shaw says, his voice serious, but the he can't fully hide the smirk on his face. "Now, try walking with a little more relax in your gate, not a strut of course, but a saunter maybe."

Viola relaxes her posture and walks forward, swinging a little more easily.

Shaw, who has begun to take a drink from a canteen, coughs on the water, "No, no, back to the nervous walk. Relaxed is not going to work. Relaxing makes your hips get a 'sashay-y'. Defintely can't have you swinging your way into the Duke's palace. Let's stick to the looking a little nervous. The less we can get people thinking feminine thoughts about you the better off we will be."

Viola stiffens her walk again and Captain Shaw shrugs. It will have to do.

An hour later...

"Ahh, good Captain Shaw!" Duke Orsino spreads his arms in welcome to the sea captain. "It has been a while. Good to see you again. What brings you here, my friend!"

Shaw bows his head slightly, "I wish I came during more pleasant circumstances. My ship was pursued by pirates into a storm, where we broke apart. I plan to work on rebuilding my credit and purchasing a ship again, which will take me some time."

Orsino waves his hand , "No need for that! My father spoke of you fondly and you always treated him and my family well, even in the comings and goings from this land. I'll order up a ship for you and have you on your way within the month."

Shaw smiles a knowing smile but says, "Thank-you, my lord. I'm sure it would do me no good to try to refuse such a gift, as you are a man well-known for your generosity. Let me, though, offer the work of my first mate, here, Cesario. He is invaluable to me, but needs a way to provide for himself while we are shored. Would you consider employing him, even for the time-being? This would allow me to feel like I was offering you something in return for your goodness and generosity."

Duke Orsino looks over at Viola, pursing his lips, as thoughts, unspoken clearly roll through his mind. "I think we have an accord, Captain Shaw. I shall employ your Cesario until the time should come that you set sail again. At that point, we shall discuss his future, whether he shall return to the sea with you or if he will stay in my employ. Surely, for a boy as young as this to be such a trusted part of your crew, he must truly be a good man. I am sure I have use for such a person." He smiles and beckons towards Cesario to step forward. "Do you promise to serve me to your utmost until such time that I free you from this commitment, either upon a voyage with the Captain or after a further relationship under my employ?"

Viola steps forward and bows her head slightly and says simply, trying to timber her voice lower, "Thank-you, my liege. I will do my utmost to serve you."

"Good!" He motions to one of his attendents. "Bring us some food and drink. Captain Shaw, Cesario, let us go celebrate new beginnings!"

THREE DAYS LATER...

Now, that you've followed along with the original text of our story, choose to do one of the following 2 options to solidify your understanding of this scene. Each option has a check-in question at the end for you to answer.

• Option #1 - Watch/read a modernized version of the text. Click here.
• Option #2 - Watch a summary/analysis video of this scene. Click here.

The curtain falls on Scene 3...as the audience watches, they see the set hastily being rearranged to, once again show the craggy coast. When we return, we will be transported back to the sea shore, several leagues to the north.

Twelfth Night Episode 3 - "What Country, Friends, Is This?" Scene 2

Welcome back!

At the end of scene 1, Viola recruits Captain Shaw to help disguise her as a man, much like her twin brother, which she alludes to in this line from scene 1, speaking to Captain Shaw: "Conceal me what I am, and be my aid for such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent" -- the "form of my intent" is that of her brother Sebastian. Once in disguise, she convinces Captain Shaw to present her to Duke Orsino as a eunuch that she might work in his service. If you missed this, or parts of it, I wouldn't feel bad as it is pretty well hidden, but it is crucial for the way the rest of the play unfolds as Viola takes on the disguise of her lost brother. There are many practical reasons for her to do this. She is a young woman, for the most part alone and, therefore vulnerable. It is not a good place for a young woman to be alone in the world. For many reasons, that would not be safe. This also serves as a way for her to keep Sebastian's memory alive, a way to not quite "let him go". In a way, it is a way she can mourn him (we see this also in her reaction to the story of Olivia morning the loss of her brother - Viola can sympathize). Finally, it is practical for her because she needs to find provision for herself, a way to provide for her livelihood in this strange and new world. 

The curtain now lifts again on our story where, across the luscious green slopes of Illyria resides the court of the noble Duke Orsino.

Duke Orsino quickly strides across his courtyard and enters into his great hall, flanked by several of his attendants and musicians. He anxiously paces as he awaits word from the latest of many messengers he has sent to woo the lovely Lady Olivia and convey his love to her. Read along in the video below as the story unfolds...

Now, let's take a look at this scene from another angle. You have 2 options to choose from again You only need to do 1 of the 2.

1. If you feel like you overall understood the scene, you should watch this modernized stage production of this scene. You will notice that the director of this particular version set the play in a much more modern setting: click here.
2. If you feel pretty lost with what happened in scene 2, you should watch this reading of the scene, using modernized English: click here.

That concludes today's production of Episode 3 Scene 2. As the curtain falls, our gaze shifts back towards the sea shore where Captain Shaw helps put the finishing touches on Viola's disguise. He stands back and takes her in, a pile of long cut hair around her ankles. Shaw nods his approval and smiles at Viola, "That should do the trick, my lady. If I hadn't known better, I would mistake you for him..." the smile drops from Shaw's face. "I see him living yet in you, keeping his memory alive. He was a good man." Viola smiles and wipes away a silent tear from the corner of her eye. Shaw motions towards the exit of their hastily constructed shelter. "Let's get you to Orsino. I think we shall call you -- Cesario. Yes, definitely, Cesario."

Twelfth Night Episode 3 - "What Country, Friends, Is This?" Scene 1

Our story begins once more, Viola and Captain Shaw have been washed ashore along with a few other meager survivors from the wreck. Watch the video below to visually capture the scene where our story resumes.
Now let's read scene 1 together as Viola and Captain Shaw navigate the early aftermath of the shipwreck and what Viola, especially, will do with herself now that she has lost Sebastian and is stranded in an unknown country, a young woman, without home nor means to support herself. Now to conclude our production of scene 1, I would like for you to choose to do 1 of the following 2 options, depending on how well you think you understood this scene.

• If you felt like you understood the scene fairly well (maybe not perfectly, but you got the gist), watch this stage production of the scene to round out your understanding of it: click here.
• If you're feeling very confused and have no idea what happened in this scene, watch this summary/analysis video: click here.

Now we enter the intermission as the curtain falls on Viola and Captain Shaw. Our story will be continued tomorrow in scene 2, as we will be transported from the seashore to the court of the Duke Orsino, prior to the arrival of Viola, as he contemplates his love and pursuit of the Lady Olivia...

Twelfth Night Episode 2 - "Voyage" Day #5

How long have they been in this storm? Sebastian and Viola hold on to each other as the planks of the ship around them creak in protest. The door to their cabin bangs open and the first mate stumbles in. He has two lengths of rope which he hurriedly throw at the twins.

"The Captain says to wrap these around your waists! If the ship goes down, use it to tie yourself to any floating debris you may be fortunate enough to be near. Stay near the door of your cabin. If the ship goes down, get off and as far from it as you can."

With that, he was back out. The wind and rain howling and whistling around him, a shriek of nature. The door bangs shut.

Sebastian and Viola look at each other and then help to wrap the rope lengths around each of their waists. Sebastian looks to Viola: "Whatever happens, you know that I will always be there for you."

Viola nods. Then they move towards the door, huddling there as the terrible storm continues to rage.

Click the picture below to continue the Quest. The code for today is the word globe (the name of Shakespeare's theatre.

Twelfth Night Episode 2 - "Voyage" Day #4

Viola and Sebastian huddle together on one of the two bunks, holding each other tight. Being in the confined room, while safe from the waves washing over the deck above, did little to allay the fears swirling inside them, a crude and terrible mimicry of the storm raging around the ship. In many ways, the sheltered room below deck is the worse than being where the waves and thunder are visceral and real. The weight of the unknown - each roll of the ship, each plunge into a trough, each hurtle up the steep incline of a wave - it threatens to tear the fearful passenger apart. Each moment feels like it could be the last and there's the dread of never knowing what is coming next. Is a massive wave descending? A huge water valley? Never knowing...never knowing...and so they hold on to each other as it is all they can do.

To continue to the Quest, click the link below. Your code is hamnet (fun fact, this is the name of Shakespeare's only son, who dies tragically in his youth, and inspires some of Shakespeare's most emotionally stirring poetry).

Twelfth Night Episode 2 - "Voyage" Day #3

Viola and Sebastian wake to another fiery sunrise. There is something magical to sunrises and sunsets on the open sea. Yet, this morning, their stomachs are full of dread. They had spent the previous day detouring from their original course, attempting to throw off any possible ships that the traitor that had been revealed the previous morning might have alerted to their whereabouts. Captain Shaw had told them before they had bunked that this day would be the tell-tale day. If they could manage to slip through the day without detection, they would probably had lost any pursuers. Under different circumstances, this whole situation might have been  a comedy. Here they were, the children of a merchant, being pursued across the sea...how had they gotten themselves into this mess. A series of errors (key - combine this with the word from yesterday's notes. If you need a mental prompt, I have used that word elsewhere in this opening passage) mixed with an equal dash of poor timing and "being at the wrong place at the right time".

Captain Shaw looks down at them from where he stands resolutely at the wheel. Did he ever sleep? A cheery smile crosses his face, "Good morning, land-luvers!" He drags out the word in exaggeration. Several of his crew laugh, but it is all in good fun. "Let's see what's in store for us today, shall we?" With that he set to ordering his crew to their tasks of the day.

Click the picture below to resume the Quest...

Twelfth Night Episode 2 - "Voyage" Day #2

Viola and Sebastian wake up to their second day at sea. Their sea legs are coming and they are getting more comfortable on the deck of the ship, as long as the seas are fairly calm. They walk over to the railing of the ship and watch the sun as its orange orb breaks free of the horizon and casts glimmering rays across the sky. It truly is a beautiful sight to behold. The sea spray splashes over them, reminding them of their isolation in the middle of the sea. There is an odd security and vulnerability in a ship -- a paradox really. The ship in itself is safety, yet being on the ship in all the water is equally vulnerable, almost enough to start driving a person to the brink of sanity if thought about too much, the vast depths of water a few simple planks of wood away. So easy it would be for the sea to claim the small craft. But there was a thrill to it as well, the ship's hull skimming across the waves. Exhilarating. That is the best word to describe it. Freedom.

Click the picture below to advance. Your key is tybalt. If you remember from last year, Tybalt is the character who kills Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Romeo ends up killing Tybalt and then everything descends to tragedy. It really is the turning point in that play.

Twelfth Night Episode 2 - "Voyage" Day #1

Viola and Sebastian meet gazes as the ship slips from the harbor at Port Nyanzaru. They are on their way to the Far East. Viola's mind whirls with thoughts, questions, and doubts...our journey has been nothing short of one series of misfortune after another. It will all be smooth sailing from here, right? She bites her lip uncertainly. Sebastian, as if sensing her unrest, reaches out and lightly squeezes her shoulder reassuringly, "It will all be ok, sis. When we've got each other, there is nothing that we can't get through."

"Don't forget about me!" Captain Shaw bellows from where he stands firmly at the wheel. "I have made you a promise to see you through this to safety as best I can." He smirks impishly, "I'm like that uncle that keeps showing up unexpectedly to bail-you out of trouble...or get you into it...but no worries, I'll always get you out, even if I got you into it."
Sebastian pulls Viola nearer, "See! We've got Shaw --"

"That's Captain Shaw to you, you young whippersnapper!" The smile on the Captain's lips belies his fake seriousness.

"Aye, aye, Captain Shaw," Sebastian replies, correcting himself with a sarcastic flourish. He turns back to Viola. "We have the Captain and each other. With all that going for us, what could possibly go wrong?"

Click the image below to advance to the quest.

Twelfth Night Episode 1 - "Preparations" Day #5

Viola shifts uncomfortably. The makeshift hiding place that the miller's wife prepared for them was great for hiding. It did that extremely well...however, it did little for life's comforts. The small space pressed in on her and Sebastian. Protruding arms and wooden spokes from the old equipment used to hide them had poked and prodded them all night long and so neither of them had slept much.

Viola looks at Sebastian, annoyance written all over her face. She was a tough girl - she was game to doing whatever it took in life's rougher times - but a few creature-comforts wouldn't have been turned down. In fact, a nice hot bath right now would be amazing. Sebastian, as if reading Viola's mind (that happens with twins more often than either of them would like when they would rather their thoughts be private), grins wolfishly and mock-stretches in the small space as if he is in the lap-of-luxury. He doesn't speak as they had made a pact to not say a word until the miller's wife returned. They dared not risk anything that might give away their secluded spot. That said, Sebastian's actions need no verbal interpretation, and Viola lightly kicks him. He shoots her an incredibly wounded look that almost looks genuine.

At that moment, before either of them can continue their silent sibling-quarrel, they hear the door of tannery creak open and the dim-light of early morning seeps in. Their hearts race...at the one moment hopeful it is the miller's wife returning but also dreading and fearing if it is not. A few light footsteps slide over the floor and then, "It's time to go. The coast is clear and I've arranged a meeting with Captain Shaw, but you must go now."

Sebastian and Viola, with the aid of the miller's wife, extract themselves from their hiding spot and brush themselves off. Viola runs a hand through her hair to try to remove the tangles that have started to form.

The miller's wife smiles at the two of them then leans in and whispers in a low voice, "The city is dangerous right now. Rybald has his men out in force searching for you. Here is how you will get and meet up with Shaw..." She hands them a map (KEY/CODE: 1564 - Shakespeare's birth year). She gives each one a light hug, "Take care, you hear." She opens her mouth as if she wants to say something more but couldn't find appropriate words. She wipes a silent tear, turns, then hesitates. Coming to a decision, she turns back, "I knew your mother when I was but a young woman, you probably didn't know. She was a gem the world was not worthy of and she taught me much. She always knew that you both would be bound for great things. Stay in the shadows, find Shaw...your journey is only beginning. What you both have is special, a unique bond...I daren't think that scum Rybald has a chance against you. Be strong. Be brave. Trust each other and count on Shaw. He is a good man." With that, she turns and leaves without another word.

Viola and Sebastian exchange a look. So much could be communicated in a look. Their gazes both shift to the map. It is time...

To continue with the Quest, click on the image below of the stout-hearted miller's wife.

The Miller's Wife:

Twelfth Night Episode 1 - "Preparations" Day #4

Viola wakes, her head pounding and a massive crick in her neck from where she had slept awkwardly against the stone floor of the basement room she and Sebastian are locked in. She rolls onto her other side so that she can see Sebastian on the other side of the room. He groans briefly in recognition that he is awake. Already, even in the dim light of the room, Viola can see the massive bruise forming on the side of his face. Not to say that she hadn't gone down without resistance, but it had been Sebastian who had put up the bigger fight. He had taken a few hard knocks the previous night.

Her mind turns from the past to their current situation. What would she do? What could she do? She hadn't known Rybald until the previous night, although she had heard of his ruthless techniques and his reputation had not been unfounded. Viola wiggles and squirms her hands...there is some wiggle in her ropes. She grins impishly. Just like an over-confident, bull-headed, arrogant, scheming, malicious, pompous, conniving...she breathes in and lets gathers in her unchecked emotions. Just like a man to underestimate me. She wiggles her wrists a little more to test the bindings and make sure that it hadn't been her imagination - no, there is definitely a little give...

To advance to the storyline Quest, please click the picture below of the basement room Viola and Sebastian find themselves in. Your key to advance is "anne hathaway" (the name of Shakespeare's wife --- hmmmm...surprise! not just the name of a famous Hollywood actress --- coincidence, I think not!)

Twelfth Night Episode 1 - "Preparations" Day #3

Viola wakes to the smell of breakfast wafting from the main floor of the Green Rabbit Inn. For a second, her stomach rumbles. It smells like the roast meats her mother would make for them back home. Then she remembers the hanging carcasses that she had seen the night lingering in the kitchen. She hadn't been sure if they were cats, really large rats, or some other rodent, but they definitely hadn't looked like something she had wanted to put in her mouth. The memory of their father telling them to avoid eating at this Inn floods her memory: "Cheap rooms," he had said, "but don't eat the food. I risked it...once. It had just about been the end of me. They typically don't get repeat visitors from those who eat the food -- mostly because few live to tell the tale" Viola smiles at the memory of her father. How many months would she and Sebastian be gone? It was hard to tell; a couple to be sure. They would be returning home before they knew it though. First, they had to do something about their problem with finding a captain. Today...today, they would meet with Captain Kingery of the King's navy. Maybe, just maybe.

Viola swings her feet out of bed, hastily dresses and grabs her things (KEY/CODE: 3 --- the number of children Shakespeare had) before waking Sebastian and sneaking out the door before their hostess could try to lure them into eating some of the lurid food. It had smelled so good but the odd plopping and glopping sounds that had come from the kitchen as they had passed had steeled their resolve to find their breakfast elsewhere before meeting with the Captain.

"It is going to be a good day!" Viola exclaims to Sebastian as they head towards a nearby pastry shop. "After-all, after all the disappointments of yesterday, what could possibly go wrong?"

To follow along with Viola and Sebastian on their third day in Nyanzaru, click either of the pictures below.

 Green Rabbit Inn

Captain Kingery

Twelfth Night Episode 1 - "Preparations" Day #2

Sebastian wakes up and shakes off the sleep cobwebs. Today is a big day. They have scheduled meetings with sea captains whom they hope to charter for their upcoming voyage. Much of their future plans hinge on the events of today.

Sebastian reaches for the side-cabinet next to his bed and pulls out his money purse and the key to his room. It will be necessary to use this key in order for his day to begin (your KEY/CODE is 1602 - this is the year that our play Twelfth Night first debuted). Once Sebastian unlocks his door, he exits and knocks on his sisters door to wake her. Of course, she is already awake. She is just as ready for the day to begin as he is. I guess that is what happens when you are twins.

We will be meeting with Captain Rufus and Captain Shaw today. Click any of the pictures below of our characters to advance to the quest where you will read the storyline and complete the day's activities.

Viola

Sebastian

Twelfth Night Episode 1 - "Preparations" Day #1

Our adventure begins...

Twin brother and sister, Viola and Sebastian, prepare to embark on a voyage to the distant lands of the Far-East on an exploratory expedition for their father's rare spices trade company. Their father is a well-known and well-to-do merchant, yet finances are currently stretched a little thin with new ventures. Before leaving, Viola and Sebastian need to make some preparations, primarily chartering a ship and captain. They have left their home province of Messaline and journeyed to the port-town of Nyanzaru for that purpose...though the town is not as safe as it may appear...

Follow-along with Viola and Sebastian as they make preparation, completing the activities along the way.

• Before we study the Bard William Shakespeare, we will be conducting a basic overview of poetry

Click the map below to join them on Day #1 of their quest. You will need to login with your CCHS Google account.