Question

Which of these excerpts from act I of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night informs the audience that Olivia has gone into a self-imposed seclusion? (Each paragraph is an answer and there can only be one)
DUKE: Why, so I do, the noblest that I have:
O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Methought she purg'd the air of pestilence;
That instant was I turn'd into a hart;
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.—How now! what news from her?
(Twelfth Night, act I, scene I)

CAPTAIN: A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her
In the protection of his son, her brother,
Who shortly also died; for whose dear love,
They say, she hath abjured the company
And sight of men.
(Twelfth Night, act I, scene II)

DUKE: How will she love when the rich golden shaft
Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else
That live in her; when liver, brain, and heart,
These sovereign thrones, are all supplied and fill'd,—
Her sweet perfections,—with one self king!—
(Twelfth Night, act I, Scene I)

Answer 1

Answer:

The excerpt from Act I of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night that informs the audience that Olivia has gone into a self-imposed seclusion is "CAPTAIN: A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count, That died some twelvemonth since; then leaving her, In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died; for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the company, And sight of men."

Explanation:

The excerpt from Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare that has the words of Captain informs the reader that Olivia has gone into a self -imposed seclusion with the words"...They say, she hath abjured the company, And sight of men." That means she has decided by herself to be apart and have no contact with any man, the word abjured means to set apart by self-decision.