Discuss elaborately plot and subplot in Twelfth Night.

Of course, the best way for you to find out the answer to
your question is to read or see the play. There are some very good film editions
available as well which can also help. But remember that these are no subtitute to good,
rigorous textual analysis. Rather than give you a complete breakdown of the play, I am
going to talk you through one of the chief features of the play - the central confusion
of love between three characters in the main plot - which you can then go back to and
"flesh out" with your own reading.

Typically as one of
Shakespeare's comedies, this play involves mistaken identities, cross-dressing,
disguises and people falling in love with people they shouldn't fall in love with. Thus
it is that we are introduced in Act I scene i to the Duke Orsino, who is swift to
declare his undying love for Lady Olivia:

readability="16">

O, when mine eyes did see Olivia
first,

Methought she purged the air of
pestilence.

That instant was I turned into a
hart,

And my desires, like fell and cruel
hounds,

E'er since pursued
me.

This situation is
immediately complicated by news of Olivia's unremitting resolution to not marry for love
of her dead brother:

readability="12">

The element itself, till seven years'
heat,

Shall not behold her face at ample
view,

But like a cloistress she will veiled
walk...

So, it is clear that
Olivia does not return these feelings, as we see from her distaste of being forced to
listen to them once more from Cesario. However, this situation is further complicated in
Act I scene iv by the irony of Viola dressed as Cesario being forced to take messages of
love from her master to Olivia when she is in love with Orsino
herself!

Yet a
barful strife!

Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his
wife.

Then of course note
Olivia's response to Cesario in Act I scene v:

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Even so quickly may one catch the
plague?

Methinks I feel this youth's
perfections

With an invisible and subtle
stealth

To creep in at mine
eyes.

So, three characters,
each involved in a crazy tangled up relationship involving disguises, secret loves and
unrequited love. The real question of course is how on earth is Shakespeare going to
resolve this situation in this "comedy". Now, as you read through the play, make sure
you pay attention to how the subplot relates to the overall plot - how do characters
such as Sir Toby relate to the confusion in the main plot? What about the relationship
between Sir Toby and Maria? This will help you think through how the subplot and plot
relate in this great play.