Twelfth Night Characters

Viola

Viola is the main character in the story. She is a young lady from Messaline who is found on the shores of Illyria. Her twin brother was lost in the shipwreck and she did not know whether he was dead or alive. The Sea Captain dresses her up as a boy to serve under Duke Orsino as a messenger. Matters quickly get complicated as Viola (playing Cesario) falls in love with Orsino while Olivia (Orsino’s love interest) falls in love with Viola, thinking she is a boy. In the actual play, Olivia was a boy playing a girl pretending to be a boy!

Duke Orsino

In the beginning of the play, Orsino talks to himself and plays music, hoping to cure his depression. He is in love with Olivia but she will not love him back because of her brother’s death seven years back. He makes Viola (playing Cesario) woo Olivia for him. At the end of the story, he loses his love for Olivia and develops an affection for Viola (playing Cesario).

Olivia

Olivia was born to a noble family. Her brother died 7 years ago so she has been in mourning. Many man wish to marry her because of her wealth and beauty, notably Duke Orsino. She develops an attraction to Viola, who acts is messenger for Orsino; and though Olivia tries her best to win Viola, Viola does her best to let her down easily, because Viola is not really a boy. Olivia eventually marries Sebastian.

Sir Toby

He is uncle, and spends his time tricking and teasing Sir Andrew and playing jokes on him to pass the time. He takes part in the pranks against Malvolio, and arranges the duel between Sir Andrew and Viola as well. He is known to be short-tempered but is quite a good fellow. He is drunk and high-spirited throughout the play.

Valentine

Valentine is one of Orsino’s attendants and he is sent to woo Olivia but he is not as good as Viola (as Cesario). Valentine is not a major character. Though Valentine accompanies Orsino on his visit to Olivia’s in the last act, but he is not as close to him or as important in the action as Viola is.

Sebastian

Viola’s non-identical twin brother, who bears a great resemblance to her. Viola tries to copy her brother in her disguise as Cesario, as the two are mistaken for each other in many times. Sebastian himself is saved by Antonio, and the two become fast friends. Quite by accident, Sebastian comes across Olivia, and is taken for Cesario; she proposes, and they are quickly married, despite Sebastian not knowing who she is.

Sir Andrew

He too pushes Lady Olivia’s patience and hospitality with his loud and wild behaviour. Described by Sir Toby as being “as tall a man as any’s in Illyria”, Sir Andrew is not overly intelligent, Sir Andrew like Sir Toby having little love for the annoying Malvolio and is party to a practical joke against him. Sir Andrew however is greatly valued by Sir Toby as he is quite wealthy. He is jealous of the affection Olivia displays towards Cesario (Viola) and challenges him to a duel which never actually happens

Sea Captain

He disguises Viola as Cesario in the beginnning

Antonio

Antonio is another sea captain who has many enemies, he rescues Sebastian and brings him to Viola.