Twelfth Night Character List

Orsino, Duke or Count of Illyria

Though his title in the play is disputed, Orsino is the ruler of Illyria, with
some naval experience behind him. He is lovesick for the Lady Olivia, who
will not return his affections; Viola is taken into his service, as the boy
Cesario, and is quickly taken into his confidence and tries to woo Olivia for
him. However, Orsino's affections shift by the end of the play; he drops
his self-indulgent behavior, and develops affection for Viola.
Curio, Valentine
Two of Orsino's attendants. Valentine is sent to try and woo Olivia,
though he is not quite as successful at gaining entrance to Olivia's house
as "Cesario" is. Curio accompanies Orsino on his visit to Olivia's in the last
act, though he says nothing; their basic purpose is to wait on Orsino as
best they can, but they are not as close to him or as important in the
action as Viola is.
First Officer, Second Officer
These two recognize Antonio as having committed crimes against Orsino,
and arrest him. In the last act, they hold Antonio, as they remind Orsino
of the crime that Antonio had committed.
Viola
A young woman who is shipwrecked, having lost her twin brother
Sebastian, and lands in Illyria quite by accident; she resolves to make the
best of her situation, and be taken into Orsino's service, as a young
eunuch named Cesario. Viola is quickly taken into Orsino's confidence,
and he tells her all the secrets of his heart; she is entrusted with wooing
Olivia, though Olivia herself falls for Viola as Cesario. Viola herself is in
love with Orsino, though she cannot admit this; she does succeed in
gaining Orsino's affections, however, and gets him to be a more honest,
less self-centered person.
A Sea-Captain
He rescues Viola from drowning, and helps her transform herself into
Cesario and become Orsino's page. Later, he has supposedly had some
issues with Malvolio somehow, and must be found so that Viola may
reclaim her female clothes and possessions.
Sebastian
Viola's non-identical twin brother, who nevertheless bears a great
resemblance to her. Viola tries to imitate her brother in her disguise as
Cesario, as the two are mistaken for each other in many scenes.
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.
Antonio
Another sea-captain; he saves Sebastian's life, and appears to be
benevolent in his intentions toward Sebastian. However, he has a
questionable past, and was involved in some doings at sea that mean he
is wanted by Orsino. He stops a duel between Viola and Sir Andrew,
mistaking Viola for her brother Sebastian. His relationship with Sebastian
has argued to be a little more than friendly‹though this can certainly be
disputed.
Olivia
A noblewoman, Countess of Illyria. She lost her father, then her brother
right before the beginning of the play; she resolves to be in mourning for
her brother for seven years, thus thwarting Orsino's attempts to woo her.
She becomes enamoured of Viola, who acts as a 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 a boy like she pretends to be. Olivia
rushes off and marries Sebastian, thinking that he is Viola as Cesario; but
everything works out in the end.
Maria
Olivia's gentlewoman-maid, a witty, wily woman who has some affection
for Sir Toby. It is she who resolves to get revenge on Malvolio, after he
embarrasses the party; she claims to have handwriting like Olivia's, and
will use that gift to trick Malvolio. She is actually a good-natured woman,
though she loves a good joke, and holds her own with the "boys"‹Sir
Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste.
Sir Toby
Surname Belch, not very complimentary‹but sadly, accurate. He is Olivia's
ill-behaved uncle, and spends most of his time drinking, fooling, and
carousing with Sir Andrew. He takes part in the pranks against Malvolio,
and arranges the duel between Sir Andrew and Viola as well. He is hot-
tempered, and usually unruly, but not a bad fellow either.
Sir Andrew
Surname Aguecheek, also not complimentary, but correctly describing his
thin, pale face. He is a complete, very dense fool, who can't help but
misconstrue every word his friend Sir Toby says. He hopes to win Olivia's
affection, though they have few interactions in the play. Jealous of the
attention that Olivia pays to "Cesario," he challenges the young man to a
duel, that is never quite completed.
Malvolio
Olivia's steward, a man who is supposedly good at his job, but is stern
and hates merrymaking. He rebukes Sir Toby and company very harshly,
for which they resolve to get revenge. They play on his vanity and his
pride by convincing him that Olivia loves him, and getting him to act
foolish in front of her. He is finally locked up in a dark place, and
tormented by Feste; in the last act, he comes forward and tells of his
ordeal, and swears revenge on everyone involved, having not learned any
lessons.
Fabian
A member of Olivia's household with responsibilities that are never
explained. He is a sort of mid-play replacement for Feste, taking part in
the plots against Malvolio with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. He doesn't seem
to have much of a personality, but is included in the play for the purpose
of exposition‹and he is also good at stating the obvious for the audience.
Feste
A jester and musician who lends his services to Olivia, and to Orsino as
well. Feste is quick-witted and quite skilled at wordplay; but he is also
somewhat cruel, as seen in his behavior toward Malvolio. Feste may act
the part of the fool, but in fact he is very wise and perceptive about
people's natures; he knows the perfect song for any occasion, but resents
when his services are taken for granted.
A Priest
Marries Sebastian and Olivia, and later testifies about this union to Orsino
and others.
1. Orsino is Duke, or Count, of:
MESSALINE
ILLYRIA
ELYSIUM
VENETIA
2. Viola is saved from the wreck by:
ONE OF ORSINO'S MEN
ANTONIO
A SEA CAPTAIN
A SAILOR
3. Apart from her brother, who in Olivia's family has just died?
HER FATHER
HER SISTER
HER HUSBAND
HER MOTHER
4. Viola sympathizes with Olivia even before they meet because:
OLIVIA IS PROUD AND INDEPENDENT
OLIVIA DOES NOT WANT TO MARRY
OLIVIA JUST LOST HER BROTHER
OLIVIA ALSO LOST HER FATHER
5. Sir Toby, Olivia's uncle, has the surname:
BELCH
SNORE
AGUECHEEK
SNORT
6. Which of these is NOT the name of one of Orsino's servants?
CURIO
CESARIO
FABIAN
VALENTINE
7. When Viola will not take the ring from Malvolio, Malvolio:
FORCES VIOLA TO TAKE THE RING
THROWS THE RING ON THE GROUND
KEEPS THE RING
TAKES THE RING BACK TO OLIVIA
8. Viola tries to convince Orsino that women can feel love by:
DEBATING THE POINT WITH HIM
TELLING HIM OF HER OWN EXPERIENCE
TELLING HIM OF HER "SISTER"'S LOVE
SHOWING HIM THAT OLIVIA CAN FEEL LOVE
9. How long does Olivia pledge to mourn her dead brother?
ONE YEAR
SEVEN YEARS
FIVE YEARS
THREE YEARS
10. In Act II, Orsino compares women, somewhat unfavorably, to:
FALLING LEAVES
ROSES
BIRDS
VINES
11. Which character is NOT involved in baiting Malvolio with the letter?
SIR TOBY
FABIAN
FESTE
SIR ANDREW
12. In Act III, Viola says that Feste is:
A "TINKER"
A "FOOLISH WIT"
A "WISE FOOL"
A "ROGUE"
13. Which of these characters does NOT love Olivia?
FABIAN
SIR ANDREW
ORSINO
MALVOLIO
14. Antonio is wanted in Illyria because of:
MURDERING ORSINO'S COUSIN IN BATTLE
THEFT
DUELING WITH ORSINO
"PIRACY"-LIKE ACTIVITIES
15. What color, also the color of Malvolio's stockings, does Olivia abhor?
 BLUE
GREEN
YELLOW
RED
16. Sir Andrew challenges Viola to a duel as:
A RESPONSE TO A DARE
REVENGE FOR AN INSULT
AN ATTEMPT TO WIN OLIVIA
PROOF THAT HE IS NOT A COWARD
17. Sebastian and Viola are from:
EPHESUS
MESSALINE
ILLYRIA
GENOA
18. Who stops the duel between Sir Andrew and Viola?
SIR TOBY
ANTONIO
OLIVIA
SIR ANDREW HIMSELF
19. At what point does Viola know that her brother is alive?
WHEN SIR TOBY FALSELY CLAIMS THAT SHE BEAT HIM
WHEN ANTONIO MISTAKES HER FOR HIM
WHEN THE CAPTAIN TELLS HER OF SEEING HIM
WHEN SHE FINALLY SEES HIM
20. Within the play, Feste pretends to be a:
STEWARD
CURATE
LAWYER
TEACHER
21. Which of these things does Malvolio ask for when he is imprisoned?
PEN AND INK
MERCY
FOOD AND WATER
AIR
22. In Act V, how long does Antonio claim Sebastian has been with him?
THREE MONTHS
THREE DAYS
THREE YEARS
THREE WEEKS
23. Which of these things is Viola NOT accused of in Act V?
BEATING SIR TOBY AND SIR ANDREW
 ANGERING ORSINO
GETTING ANTONIO ARRESTED
MARRYING LADY OLIVIA
24. The chorus of the ending song that Feste sings is:
"A THOUSAND, THOUSAND SIGHS TO SAVE"
"THE RAIN IT RAINETH EVERY DAY"
"YOUTH'S A STUFF WILL NOT ENDURE"
"FAREWELL DEAR HEART, SINCE I NEEDS BE GONE"
25. Feste calls Olivia a fool because:
SHE MOURNS HER BROTHER, WHEN HE'S IN HEAVEN
SHE DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN, AND PASS ON HER BEAUTY
SHE WANTS TO MOURN HER BROTHER FOR A LONG TIME
SHE WILL NOT ACCEPT ORSINO
1. Who is Orsino in love with at the beginning of the play?
 Olivia

 Viola

 Maria

 Malvolio

2. Complete the quote: "If music be the food of _____, play on."

 Sleep

 Sorrow

 Love

 Joy

3. Where does Twelfth Night take place?

 England

 Illyria

 Ruritania
 Denmark

4. Why is Olivia unwilling to receive any visitors?

 She is hideously deformed

 She is terribly shy

 She cannot speak

 She is in mourning for her dead brother

5. How does Viola come to be at Orsino’s court?

 She is shipwrecked nearby

 She is captured and made a slave

 She is invited to be a guest of Orsino

 She is Orsino’s daughter

6. Why is Sir Andrew Aguecheek staying at Olivia’s home?

 He is her uncle

 He is trying to court Maria

 He is trying to court Olivia

 He is Malvolio’s brother

7. How does Viola disguise herself?

 She puts on makeup to make herself resemble an old woman

 She dresses like a man

 She shaves her head and wears a false beard

 She does not disguise herself

8. What is Malvolio’s position?

 He is Orsino’s fool

 He is Viola’s butler

 He is Sir Toby’s butler

 He is Olivia’s steward

9. What is Sir Toby’s great vice?

 He is a drunkard

 He is a glutton

 He enjoys pornography

 He has no vices

10. Who does Orsino send to carry his messages to Olivia?

 Malvolio

 Feste

 Viola, disguised as Cesario

 Sebastian

11. Who does Viola fall in love with?

 Malvolio

 Orsino

 Sir Toby
 Olivia

12. Who does Olivia fall in love with?

 Orsino

 Malvolio

 Antonio

 Viola, in her disguise as Cesario

13. Who is Sebastian?

 Viola’s brother

 Orsino’s cousin

 Olivia’s fool

 Malvolio’s son

14. Who forges the letter that Malvolio thinks is from Olivia?
 Feste

 Sir Toby

 Maria

 Viola

15. What does the forged letter make Malvolio believe?

 That Maria is in love with him

 That he is going to inherit a fortune

 That Viola is in love with him

 That Olivia is in love with him

16. Who takes care of Sebastian after he is shipwrecked?

 Viola

 Feste

 Malvolio

 Antonio

17. Who challenges Cesario to a duel?

 Orsino

 Sir Andrew

 Malvolio

 Antonio

18. What does Malvolio wear in the hope of pleasing Olivia?

 Green leggings

 Women’s clothing

 Yellow stockings and crossed garters

 A red wig and silver pantaloons

19. Why does Antonio travel to Illyria?

 To be close to Sebastian

 To get revenge on Orsino

 To woo Olivia
 He does not travel

20. Why does Sir Andrew try to fight with Sebastian?

 He thinks that Sebastian has killed Orsino

 He thinks that Sebastian wants to kill Sir Toby

 He thinks that Sebastian is in love with Maria

 He thinks that Sebastian is Cesario

21. What do Sir Toby and the others do to Malvolio?

 They kill him

 They lock him in a dark room and tell him he is mad

 They tar and feather him

 They get him drunk and convince him to sing with them

22. What disguise does Feste wear when he speaks with Malvolio?

 Cesario

 Olivia

 Sir Topas, the curate

 An angel

23. Who does Olivia marry?

 Sebastian

 Antonio

 Orsino
 Malvolio

24. When he realizes that Cesario is a woman, what does Orsino do?
 He orders her executed

 He banishes her

 He betroths her to Antonio

 He decides to marry her

25. Which character does not get married (or plan to) at the end of
the play?
 Orsino

 Sir Toby

 Sebastian

 Malvolio

1of 5

Shakespeare probably wrote Twelfth Night ___ of his career.

 In the beginning
 In the middle
 In the later part

 At the end

2of 5

What is Twelfth Night's alternate title?

 What You Will
 The Shipwreck

 The Illyrian Youth

 Time and Again

3 of 5

What holiday is the term "twelfth night" probably a reference to?

 Christmas

 Easter
 Epiphany
 Ascension

4 of 5

Along with As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth

Night is referred to as one of Shakespeare's so-called ___ plays.
 Island

 Holiday

 Italian

 Transvestite

Twelfth Night Summary

New! Understand every line of Twelfth Night.
Read our modern English translation.
In the kingdom of Illyria, the Duke Orsino laments over his unrequited love
for the Lady Olivia, who is in mourning for her brother and has refused to
see anyone for seven years.

Meanwhile, a ship has been wrecked by a storm off the coast, casting the
young noblewoman Viola onto shore. Finding herself alone with
the Captain, Viola assumes that her twin brother, Sebastian, with whom
she was traveling, is dead. Grieving, she learns from the Captain—who, by
chance, was born in Illyria—about the region, and decides that she would
like to conceal her identity and offer her services to this Lady. However,
after the Captain informs Viola that Olivia refuses to see anyone. Viola
resolves to conceal her identity—she dresses up as a pageboy, Cesario,
and go work for Orsino. The Captain agrees to help.

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Viola advances quickly in Orsino's household. However, she soon finds
herself falling in love with Orsino—a love which she cannot pursue, since
Orsino believes her to be (the male) Cesario. At the same time, when
Orsino sends Cesario to Olivia's house to woo her in his stead, Olivia
becomes passionately attracted to "Cesario." Only Viola understands the
love-triangle that her disguise has brought about: she loves Orsino, Orsino
loves Olivia, and Olivia loves her. None of these loves can be fulfilled.

While the plot between Orsino, Viola, and Olivia unfolds, scenes at Olivia's
house introduce a second group of characters: Olivia's uncle, the
drunkard Sir Toby; his equally vulgar friend and suitor of Olivia, Sir
Andrew Aguecheek; Olivia's charming lady-in-waiting, Maria; the
clown, Feste; and Malvolio, Olivia's self-important steward, who constantly
scolds and irritates the rest of them. Maria devises a prank to get even with
Malvolio. She forges a letter, supposedly from Olivia, addressed to a secret
beloved "M. O. A. I."; the letter instructs its anonymous addressee to wear
yellow stockings and crossed garters, to act haughty, smile constantly, and
refuse to explain himself in order to show that he returns Olivia's affections.
Malvolio finds the letter and assumes that he himself must be "M. A. O. I."
Following "Olivia's" instructions, he behaves so oddly that she worries that
he has gone mad.

Viola's twin brother Sebastian soon arrives up in Illyria: he was saved from

the shipwreck by a local, Antonio, but thinks his sister is dead. Antonio has
grown so attached to Sebastian that he follows him into Orsino's territories
despite the fact that Orsino is an old enemy.

When Sir Andrew starts to notice that Olivia is in love with Cesario, Sir
Toby encourages him to challenge Cesario to a duel. They are just about to
fight when Antonio shows up and asks to defend Cesario, whom he
mistakes for Sebastian. (Viola, in her disguise, looks exactly like her twin
brother.) When Orsino's police show up and haul Antonio off, Cesario slips
away. But then Sebastian happens to arrive on the scene. Sir Andrew and
Sir Toby resume fighting—mistaking him for Cesario. Sebastian is baffled,
but defends himself. Olivia shows up during the scuffle and, mistaking
Sebastian for Cesario, calls Toby and Andrew off at once. She immediately
asks Sebastian to marry her. Sebastian is mystified. But, seeing that Olivia
is beautiful and wealthy, he accepts her offer.

Meanwhile, Olivia's belief that Malvolio is mad, has allowed Maria, Toby,
and the others to lock him up in a dark cell for "treatment." They enjoy
tormenting and mocking him. However, Sir Toby starts to get worried, since
he knows how angry Olivia already is with him for attacking Sebastian (or,
as she thinks, Cesario). Therefore, they let Malvolio send a letter to Olivia,
arguing his case and demanding to be released.

Cesario and Orsino visit Olivia's house. Olivia welcomes Cesario as her
husband, thinking that he is Sebastian. Orsino is shocked and enraged, but
when Sebastian himself arrives on the scene, everything falls into place.
Viola and Sebastian are reunited. Now aware that Cesario is in fact the
woman, Viola, Orsino declares that he is in love with her and asks her to
marry him. It is reported that Sir Toby and Maria have also married
privately. Finally, Olivia remembers Malvolio and summons him out of the
dark room. Furious, he accosts her. When she tells him he should not take
things so seriously, he threatens that he will have revenge against them all
and storms off. The happy couples await their marriage ceremony.
 Viola – a shipwrecked young woman who
disguises herself as a page named Cesario
 Sebastian – Viola's twin brother
 Duke Orsino – Duke of Illyria
 Olivia – a wealthy countess
 Malvolio – steward in Olivia's household
 Maria – Olivia's gentlewoman
 Sir Toby Belch – Olivia's uncle
 Sir Andrew Aguecheek – a friend of Sir Toby
 Feste – Olivia's servant, a jester
 Fabian – a servant in Olivia's household
 Antonio – a sea captain and friend to
Sebastian
 Valentine and Curio – gentlemen attending
on the Duke
 A Servant of Olivia
 A Sea Captain – a friend to Viola
 Viola is shipwrecked on the coast
of Illyria and she comes ashore with the help
of a Captain. 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. Duke Orsino has
convinced himself that he is in love with
Olivia, who is mourning the recent deaths of
 her father and brother. 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 then uses
'Cesario' as an intermediary to profess his
passionate love before Olivia. Olivia,
however, falls in love with 'Cesario', setting
her at odds with her professed duty. 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.


 Sir Toby Belch coming to the assistance of Sir
Andrew Aguecheek, Arthur Boyd Houghton, c.
1854.
 In the comic subplot, several characters
conspire to make Olivia's pompous steward,
Malvolio, believe that Olivia has fallen for
him. This involves Olivia's riotous uncle, Sir
Toby Belch; another would-be suitor, a silly
squire named Sir Andrew Aguecheek; her
servants Maria and Fabian; and her witty fool,
Feste. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew engage
 themselves in drinking and revelry, thus
disturbing the peace of Olivia's household
until late into the night, prompting Malvolio to
chastise them. Sir Toby famously retorts,
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous,
there shall be no more cakes and ale?" (Act
II, Scene III).


 A Lithograph depicting Act II Scene III
 Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria plan revenge
on Malvolio. They convince Malvolio that
Olivia is secretly in love with him by planting
a love letter, written by Maria in Olivia's
handwriting. 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. Malvolio
finds the letter and reacts in surprised delight.
He starts acting out the contents of the letter
to show Olivia his positive response. Olivia is
shocked by the changes in Malvolio and
agreeing that he seems mad, leaves him to
be cared for by his tormentors. Pretending
that Malvolio is insane, they lock him up in a
 dark chamber. Feste visits him to mock his
insanity, both disguised as a priest and as
himself.
 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. Sebastian's appearance adds the
confusion of mistaken identities to the
comedy. Taking Sebastian for 'Cesario',
Olivia asks him to marry her, and they are
secretly married in a church. Finally, when
'Cesario' and Sebastian appear in the
presence of both Olivia and Orsino, there is
more wonder and confusion at their physical
similarity. At this point, Viola reveals her
identity and is reunited with her twin brother.
 The play ends in a declaration of marriage
between Duke Orsino and Viola, and it is
learned that Sir Toby has married Maria.
Malvolio swears revenge on his tormentors
and stalks off, but Orsino sends Fabian to
placate him.
Twelfth Night Summary
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night explores the lives, loves, and
misunderstandings among the nobles of Illyria.
 After being shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria, Viola
disguises herself as a male servant named Cesario and
enters the service of Duke Orsino.

 Orsino asks Cesario to woo Countess Olivia for him,

but Olivia falls for Cesario instead.

 Viola's twin brother Sebastien, who she assumed died

in the shipwreck, arrives in Illyria.
 Olivia mistakes Sebastian for Cesario and marries him,
leading Orsino to accuse Cesario of treachery.

 Viola reveals her true identity and dispels the

confusion. Orsino asks Viola to marry him and she accepts.

 Twelfth Night is a story of love and confused identity. At the beginning of the play,
after having survived a shipwreck, Viola (the play's protagonist) finds herself stranded
in Illyria. She disguises herself as Cesario, a young man, and enters into the service of
Duke Orsino.

 Orsino is in love with the countess Olivia, but she does not return his affections. In
order to woo Olivia, Orsino sends Cesario (who is actually Viola) to serve as his
representative, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario instead. Meanwhile, Viola, in her
service to Orsino, is drawn into close friendship with him and finds herself falling in
love. Thus, the story of Twelfth Night revolves around this love triangle fueled by
mistaken identities, by which Viola is in love with Orsino, who is in love with Olivia,
who is in love with Cesario (who is actually Viola).

 Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, is also traveling to Illyria with his friend Antonio.
When they reach their destination, they separate. There is an additional subplot within
Olivia's own household involving her uncle, Sir Toby Belch; her servant, Maria; her
steward, Malvolio; and another would-be suitor to Olivia, Andrew Aguecheek.
Entertaining themselves at the steward's expense, Maria leaves letters forged in
Olivia's handwriting that lead Malvolio to assume that Olivia is in fact in love with
him. Maria also advises him to present himself in such a manner that Olivia would
find offensive. Malvolio finds these letters and falls for the deception.

 Meanwhile, Olivia continues to be in love with Cesario, and Andrew notices her favor
for Orsino's servant. Toby tries to push Andrew into fighting Cesario as a way to win
Olivia's affections. However, Antonio stumbles upon the scene. Mistaking Viola for
her twin brother, he comes to her defense, only to be arrested. Antonio looks toward
the man he believes to be Sebastian for support—only to find, of course, that he does
 not know Antonio or anything about him. Antonio curses his friend as a betrayer as he
is dragged away. Finally, the real Sebastian stumbles upon Olivia, who marries him,
mistaking him for Cesario.

 As the play comes to a close, this comedy of mistaken identities is resolved, with the
full truth brought to light. Brother and sister are reunited, Viola reveals her true
identity, and Orsino proposes marriage to Viola.

Character List
Orsino The Duke of Illyria and its ruler. At the opening of the comedy,
he is desperately in love with Lady Olivia, who spurns his romantic
overtures in spite of the fact that he is a perfect and ideal gentleman.

Viola/Cesario After being shipwrecked, she disguises herself as a

young boy, takes the name of Cesario, and attains a position in Duke
Orsino's household because of her wit and charm. As a boy, she is
then used as an emissary from the duke to court Lady Olivia. Her twin
brother, Sebastian, looks exactly like her.

Lady Olivia She is a rich countess who, at first, plans to mourn her

brother's recent death for seven years, but when she meets the
emissary from Duke Orsino (Viola disguised as a boy), she
immediately falls in love with the youth.

Sebastian The twin brother to Viola who is mistaken for Cesario when

he (Sebastian) arrives in town. He meets Olivia and enters
immediately into a marriage with her.

Antonio A sea captain who aids and protects Sebastian; his pleas for
help are ignored by Viola, who in her disguise looks exactly like her
twin brother.

Sir Toby Belch Lady Olivia's uncle who lives with her and who is
given to constant drinking bouts; he delights in playing tricks on
others.

Sir Andrew Aguecheek A skinny knight who is encouraged by Sir

Toby to continue courting Lady Olivia because as long as he courts
Lady Olivia, Sir Toby can gull him out of enough money to continue
the nightly drinking bouts.
Malvolio Lady Olivia's steward who also has fantasies that Lady
Olivia might someday marry him. He is opposed to Sir Toby's drinking
bouts, and, thus, he becomes the object of one of Sir Toby's elaborate
tricks.

Maria Lady Olivia's waiting woman; she is clever and arranges a

superlative trick to be played on Malvolio.

Feste A clown, or "jester," in the employ of Lady Olivia; he has a

marvelous way with words and with making a sentence "get up and
walk away."

Fabian Another servant of some importance in Lady Olivia's house.

Valentine and Curio Two gentlemen who attend Duke Orsino.

A Sea Captain He appears in only one scene. He helps Viola with her
disguise.

Twelfth Night Summary

New! Understand every line of Twelfth Night.

Read our modern English translation.

In the kingdom of Illyria, the Duke Orsino laments over his unrequited

love for the Lady Olivia, who is in mourning for her brother and has
refused to see anyone for seven years.

Meanwhile, a ship has been wrecked by a storm off the coast, casting
the young noblewoman Viola onto shore. Finding herself alone with
the Captain, Viola assumes that her twin brother, Sebastian, with
whom she was traveling, is dead. Grieving, she learns from the
Captain—who, by chance, was born in Illyria—about the region, and
decides that she would like to conceal her identity and offer her
services to this Lady. However, after the Captain informs Viola that
Olivia refuses to see anyone. Viola resolves to conceal her identity—
she dresses up as a pageboy, Cesario, and go work for Orsino. The
Captain agrees to help.

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Viola advances quickly in Orsino's household. However, she soon

finds herself falling in love with Orsino—a love which she cannot
pursue, since Orsino believes her to be (the male) Cesario. At the
same time, when Orsino sends Cesario to Olivia's house to woo her in
his stead, Olivia becomes passionately attracted to "Cesario." Only
Viola understands the love-triangle that her disguise has brought
about: she loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves her.
None of these loves can be fulfilled.

While the plot between Orsino, Viola, and Olivia unfolds, scenes at
Olivia's house introduce a second group of characters: Olivia's uncle,
the drunkard Sir Toby; his equally vulgar friend and suitor of
Olivia, Sir Andrew Aguecheek; Olivia's charming lady-in-
waiting, Maria; the clown, Feste; and Malvolio, Olivia's self-important
steward, who constantly scolds and irritates the rest of them. Maria
devises a prank to get even with Malvolio. She forges a letter,
supposedly from Olivia, addressed to a secret beloved "M. O. A. I.";
the letter instructs its anonymous addressee to wear yellow stockings
and crossed garters, to act haughty, smile constantly, and refuse to
explain himself in order to show that he returns Olivia's affections.
Malvolio finds the letter and assumes that he himself must be "M. A.
O. I." Following "Olivia's" instructions, he behaves so oddly that she
worries that he has gone mad.

Viola's twin brother Sebastian soon arrives up in Illyria: he was saved

from the shipwreck by a local, Antonio, but thinks his sister is dead.
Antonio has grown so attached to Sebastian that he follows him into
Orsino's territories despite the fact that Orsino is an old enemy.

When Sir Andrew starts to notice that Olivia is in love with Cesario, Sir
Toby encourages him to challenge Cesario to a duel. They are just
about to fight when Antonio shows up and asks to defend Cesario,
whom he mistakes for Sebastian. (Viola, in her disguise, looks exactly
like her twin brother.) When Orsino's police show up and haul Antonio
off, Cesario slips away. But then Sebastian happens to arrive on the
scene. Sir Andrew and Sir Toby resume fighting—mistaking him for
Cesario. Sebastian is baffled, but defends himself. Olivia shows up
during the scuffle and, mistaking Sebastian for Cesario, calls Toby
and Andrew off at once. She immediately asks Sebastian to marry
her. Sebastian is mystified. But, seeing that Olivia is beautiful and
wealthy, he accepts her offer.

Meanwhile, Olivia's belief that Malvolio is mad, has allowed Maria,

Toby, and the others to lock him up in a dark cell for "treatment." They
enjoy tormenting and mocking him. However, Sir Toby starts to get
worried, since he knows how angry Olivia already is with him for
attacking Sebastian (or, as she thinks, Cesario). Therefore, they let
Malvolio send a letter to Olivia, arguing his case and demanding to be
released.

Cesario and Orsino visit Olivia's house. Olivia welcomes Cesario as

her husband, thinking that he is Sebastian. Orsino is shocked and
enraged, but when Sebastian himself arrives on the scene, everything
falls into place. Viola and Sebastian are reunited. Now aware that
Cesario is in fact the woman, Viola, Orsino declares that he is in love
with her and asks her to marry him. It is reported that Sir Toby and
Maria have also married privately. Finally, Olivia remembers Malvolio
and summons him out of the dark room. Furious, he accosts her.
When she tells him he should not take things so seriously, he
threatens that he will have revenge against them all and storms off.
The happy couples await their marriage ceremony.