Twelfth Night

Shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, Viola believes her twin brother is dead. To survive, she disguises herself as a young man and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is hopelessly in love with the Countess Olivia. When Orsino sends Viola to woo Olivia on his behalf, Olivia falls for the messenger instead, and a tangled comedy of mistaken identity begins. Meanwhile, in Olivia's household, a cruel practical joke is played on the pompous steward Malvolio, and a pair of drunken knights cause chaos.

Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most enduring comedies, a play that balances laughter with melancholy and asks searching questions about love, identity and self-deception. It is ideal for students, general readers and book clubs who want to explore Shakespeare's language and wit.

This edition contains the complete text of the play, a new introduction, a character guide, a summary of the plot, an exploration of key themes, a glossary of unfamiliar words and phrases, and discussion questions to spark conversation.