Act V

Feste is on his way to deliver Malvolio's letter, accompanied by Fabian who begs to read it. Feste refuses and they run into Orsino and Viola, still as Cesario. Feste entertains the Duke with his wit and receives money for his efforts. Antonio is led in by some officers and Viola explains to Orsino what Antonio did for her. Orsino remembers Antonio who destroyed one of his ships. Antonio explains how he saved Sebastian and was betrayed by the boy who stands before him now. Antonio:

"A witchcraft drew me hither.
That most ingrateful boy there by your side
From the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth
Did I redeem. A wreck past hope he was.
His life I gave him, and did thereto add
My love without retention or restraint."

Olivia enters next and it is revealed that she is now married to Sebastian, who she still thinks is Cesario. Orsino becomes furious and this is the second and third betrayals that result from the mistaken identities of the twins. Viola swears she loves Orsino more than Olivia. Sir Andrew comes in, having been just beaten up by Sebastian along with Sir Toby. Sebastian follows them in, apologizing to his new wife for having to defend himself against her uncle. In Sebastian's appearance everything is explained and set right. (Sebastian see Viola dressed as Cesario):

"Do I stand there? I never had a brother,
Nor can there be that deity in my nature
Of here and everywhere. I had a sister,
Whom the blind waves and surges have devoured."

The siblings rejoice that the other is alive, Antonio realizes Sebastian didn't deny knowing him after all, Olivia wasn't ever rejected by her husband or any man at all, and Orsino discovers Cesario is Viola who is a woman very much in love with him. He offers to marry her and she accepts. Olivia finally gets the letter from Malvolio that Feste delivers. She is shocked and dismayed by the treatment of her servant at the hands of her uncle and Maria, who have run off and married. Malvolio enters and accuses Olivia of masterminding the entire affair. This is the fourth and the last time a character is thought to be betrayed by someone close to them because of someone pretending to be someone they are not - Maria forging the letter in Olivia's handwriting. Olivia finally reveals to Malvolio that it wasn't her and offers him justice, but Fabian suggests that he put the whole matter behind him, and they should be considered equal. Malvolio storms out promising revenge. Orisno tells Cesario to go change into Viola and Feste ends the play with a song - fitting for the festivities of Twelfth Night.

"When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain.
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate,
For the rain, it raineth every day.
But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain.
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain, it raineth every day.
But when I came unto my beds,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain.
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
For the rain, it raineth every day.
A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain.
But that's all one, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day."