Illyria is also referred to as a site of pirates in Shakespeare's earlier play, Henry VI, Part 2. Illyria may have been suggested by the Roman comedy Menaechmi, the plot of which also involves twins who are mistaken for each other. It included the city-state of the Republic of Ragusa which has been proposed as the setting. Illyria was an ancient region of the Western Balkans whose coast (the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea which is the only part of ancient Illyria which is relevant to the play) covered (from north to south) the coasts of modern-day Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania. Illyria, the exotic setting of Twelfth Night, is important to the play's romantic atmosphere. Malvolio swears revenge on his tormentors and stalks off, but Orsino sends Fabian to placate him. The play ends in a declaration of marriage between Duke Orsino and Viola, and it is learned that Sir Toby has married Maria. At this point, Viola reveals her identity and is reunited with her twin brother. Finally, when 'Cesario' and Sebastian appear in the presence of both Olivia and Orsino, there is more wonder and confusion at their physical similarity. Taking Sebastian for 'Cesario', Olivia asks him to marry her, and they are secretly married in a church. Sebastian's appearance adds the confusion of mistaken identities to the comedy. Meanwhile, Viola's twin, Sebastian, has been rescued by Antonio, a sea captain who previously fought against Orsino, yet who accompanies Sebastian to Illyria, despite the danger, because of his admiration for Sebastian. Feste visits him to mock his insanity, both disguised as a priest and as himself. Pretending that Malvolio is insane, they lock him up in a dark chamber. Olivia is shocked by the changes in Malvolio and agreeing that he seems mad, leaves him to be cared for by his tormentors. He starts acting out the contents of the letter to show Olivia his positive response.

Malvolio finds the letter and reacts in surprised delight. It asks Malvolio to wear yellow stockings cross-gartered-a colour and fashion that Olivia actually hates-to be rude to the rest of the servants, and to smile constantly in the presence of Olivia. They convince Malvolio that Olivia is secretly in love with him by planting a love letter, written by Maria in Olivia's handwriting. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria plan revenge on Malvolio.

Malvolio and Sir Toby (from William Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', Act II, scene iii), George Clint (c.1833) In the meantime, Viola has fallen in love with Duke Orsino, creating a love triangle: Viola loves Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario. Olivia, however, falls in love with 'Cesario', setting her at odds with her professed duty. Duke Orsino then uses 'Cesario' as an intermediary to profess his passionate love before Olivia.

She refuses to see entertainments, be in the company of men, or accept love or marriage proposals from anyone, the Duke included, until seven years have passed. Duke Orsino has convinced himself that he is in love with Olivia, who is mourning the recent death of her brother. She has lost contact with her twin brother, Sebastian, whom she believes to be drowned, and with the aid of the Captain, she disguises herself as a young man under the name Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and she comes ashore with the help of a Captain. A depiction of Olivia by Edmund Leighton from The Graphic Gallery of Shakespeare's Heroines

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