Sir Andrew is a clownish a suitor to Olivia, pushed forward by Sir Toby, who has borrowed a great deal of money from him. He is easily led, believing Sir Toby's claims that he is a gallant and that Olivia only pretends to prefer the disguised Viola to him. He gets drunk with Sir Toby and their resulting racket causes Malvolio to try to discipline them. Sir Andrew is part of the revenge on Malvolio, but does not take an active role. When it is clear that Olivia is in love with Viola, Sir Andrew takes Sir Toby's advice and writes him a challenge, but Sir Toby substitutes an oral challenge for the inept and very timid one Sir Andrew manages. He and Viola are brought together to duel, each believing the other is furious and an excellent swordsman. Their comic attempts to avoid fighting are interrupted by the appearance of Antonio, who believes the disguised Viola to be Sebastian and attacks Sir Andrew on his behalf. After Antonio is taken away by officers, Sir Andrew encounters the real Sebastian and strikes him, resulting in a blow from Sebastian; this second fight is broken up by Olivia's appearance, but in the final scene, Sir Andrew enters wounded from a fight with Sebastian. After accusing Viola of being the attacker, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby are helped off, so they are not present for the final revelations.
ANTONIO
Antonio is a naval captain who rescued Sebastian from the sea and becomes his deeply devoted friend. When Sebastian declares his intention to travel to Orsino's court, Antonio follows him despite the warrants for his arrest there. When they arrive in Illyria, Antonio gives Sebastian all his money so the latter can amuse himself at the market while Antonio goes to get rooms at the local inn. When Sebastian does not arrive at the inn quickly enough, Antonio goes looking for him and finds the disguised Viola in the midst of a comic duel with Sir Andrew. Believing she is Sebastian, he jumps in to defend her and is then arrested by two officers. Antonio asks for his purse and is refused by the bewildered Viola; he expresses a deep hurt at this apparent betrayal and continues, when brought before Orison, to blame Viola for his troubles. Sebastian enters after his fight with Sir Andrew and Sir Toby, and clearly expresses his relief at finding his friend, but the fate of Antonio is left unclear in the revelations concerning the twins and Malvolio's imprisonment.
CAPTAIN
The Captain has rescued Viola from the shipwreck and brought her to Illyria. He tells her of Olivia and her deep mourning, and also of Orsino, setting in motion Viola's decision to take on a disguise. He agrees to give her male clothing to wear and take her to Orsino's court. At the end of the play, the audience is informed that the Captain has Viola's female clothes, but that he is in prison on Malvolio's command.
CESARIO
Cesario is the name Viola (q.v) uses while disguised as a boy. Viola first states that she will disguise herself as a eunuch, but either she or Shakespeare has a change of heart, since it is unlikely Orsino would discuss the possible love life of a eunuch.
COUNT
Orsinio's title, used in speech headings and some references.
CRESSIDA
Only mentioned. When Viola offers Feste money, he jokingly says that he would play Pandarus to bring Cressida (another coin) to this Troilus. Viola obliges him with more money.
CURIO
Curio is an attendant of Orsino's. He is first seen attempting to distract Orsino from his lovesickness by suggesting a hunt, but makes the mistake of suggesting the hart as prey, which leads Orsino's thoughts directly back to love. The rest of his part is minor; in one scene he enters with Orsino but is immediately sent out, and in another he informs Orsino that Feste is not available to sing for him and then exits to look for him. He is listed as present in the final scene, but has no lines.
FABIAN
Fabian is one of Olivia's servants. He joins with the others when they plant the fake love letter, complaining that Malvolio has gotten him in trouble with Olivia. With Sir Toby, he helps persuade Sir Andrew that Olivia is in love with him, despite her apparent attraction to Cesario. He and Sir Toby then set up the duel between Sir Andrew and the disguised Viola, with Fabian dragging a reluctant Sir Andrew towards the fight, all the while telling him that his opponent is eager for his blood. After Feste has tormented the confined Malvolio, Fabian asks to see the letter he has written, but Feste will not give it up. It is unclear how long he remains on stage for the final scene, but he probably is one of those who helps the wounded Sir Toby and Sir Andrew off.
FESTE
Feste is Olivia's fool, although he seems prone to wandering (he is scolded by
Maria in his first appearance for going missing and shows up in Orsino's court at least twice). Although Olivia is angry with him at first, he manages to make her laugh, but Malvolio is unimpressed and mocks Feste's wit, giving Feste a reason to seek revenge. He is further scolded by Malvolio, along with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, for making noise late at night. Feste is not actually present during Malvolio's finding of the planted letter, but gains his own revenge by pretending to be a churchman, Sir Topas, and interrogating the imprisoned Malvolio. He meets with Sebastian and mistakes him for Cesario, insisting that Sebastian accompany him to Olivia, and then is present in the last scene, although it is unclear if he stays for the revelation of the twins. Feste is also a musician, and sings three songs, including the play's epilogue.
LADY OF THE STRACHEY
A "ghost character." Malvolio mentions the Lady of the Strachey who married a yeoman as he convinces himself that Olivia really is in love with him.
MALVOLIO
Malvolio is Olivia's steward, and is both a Puritain and a social climber. He sneers at Feste's wit and is contemptuous of the drinking and revels of Sir Toby, trying to use his position to intimidate Olivia's uncle. Olivia gives him a ring to give to Cesario, claiming that Cesario gave it to her. Malvolio returns the ring and refuses to believe the disguised Viola when she says it is not hers. The next day, Malvolio finds the fake letter planted by Maria and Sir Toby and is easily led to believe that it is by Olivia and that she is in love with him. He imagines himself as Olivia's husband, with power over everyone, a reverie that so enrages Sir Toby that he almost reveals himself. Malvolio follows the directions in the letter, appearing to Olivia in cross gartered yellow stockings, and continually smiling; these actions cause Olivia to believe he has gone mad and to order him confined. While there, Malvolio is visited by Feste, who pretends to be a priest, Sir Topas. When Malvolio says his cell is dark, Feste contradicts him and claims Malvolio is possessed by a devil, and insists that Malvolio agree to the theories of Pythagoras. In his own voice, Feste does agree to bring Malvolio paper and ink so he can write to Olivia. Malvolio is released after the revelation of the twins, because Viola remembers that the Captain, who has her female clothes, has been put in prison by Malvolio. Malvolio is, of course, furious and shows Olivia the letter she has supposedly written as proof that he was only following her direction, not mad. She recognizes it as written by Maria, and Malvolio storms off, threatening revenge on everyone.
MARIA
Maria is Olivia's waiting-gentlewoman and apparently in love with Sir Toby.
Despite her official connection to Olivia, she is more often seen in company with Sir Toby. When Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste are drinking late and are scolded by Malvolio, she stands by them, despite Malvolio's threat to tell Olivia of her behavior, and is the chief author of Malvolio's downfall. She is the one who comes up with the plan of the forged letter, and the one who does the actual letter writing. She directs Malvolio to wear yellow stockings cross gartered because she knows Olivia hates the color and the fashion. She then tells Olivia, before Malvolio appears, that she believes he is possessed, which Olivia agrees to once she has seen him. Finally, she encourages Feste to pretend to be a priest to futher torment Malvolio. Maria is rewarded for her actions, as we are told by Fabian that Sir Toby has married her.
MARY
An alternative name for Maria, used occasionally by Sir Toby and Malvolio.
OFFICER, FIRST and SECOND
The First and Second Officers arrest Antonio when the latter interrupts the duel between Sir Andrew and the disguised Viola. Of the two, the First Officer is more knowledgeable; identifying Antonio after the latter denies it. He is the only one to speak when Antonio is brought to Orsino, identifying Antonio by name and describing his crimes in some detail.
OLIVIA
Olivia is a countess, and is beloved of Orsino. Because she has declared that she will abjure the company of men for seven years while she mourns the death of her brother, Orsino sends Cesario (the disguised Viola) to attempt to woo her, believing "his" youth will make an impression. Olivia at first refuses to entertain him, but is eventually won over and even unveils in his presence. However, her reason for doing so is that she has fallen in love with Cesario. When he leaves, Olivia sends Malvolio after him with a ring. The next time Cesario visits, she meets with him alone and woos him directly, causing the disguised Viola a great deal of unease. Saddened by her rejection, Olivia sends for Malvolio, since he is somber and serious, but he appears all smiles due to the forged letter he has found. Olivia, with some prodding from Maria, believes that he is possessed by a devil and gives him over to the care of Sir Toby. Olivia intervenes in the duel between Sebastian and Sir Andrew, believing he is Cesario, and convinces him to marry her immediately. Just a few hours later she finds Cesario with Orsino and declares their marriage, with the Priest's word to back her up. She is shocked when Cesario declares himself willing to die by Orsino's hand rather than go with her, but the riddle is immediately untangled when Sebastian enters to apologize for fighting with Sir Toby. On hearing that the Captain who has Viola's clothes has been imprisoned by Malvolio, Olivia sends for him. He shows her the letter she is supposed to have written; she recognizes it as Maria's and realizes that Malvolio has been tricked.
OLIVIA'S BROTHER
A "ghost character." Her brother's death causes Olivia to swear she will remain in deep mourning and refuse the company of men for seven years.
ORSINO
Orsino is a count, and in love with Olivia, although it is clear from the opening scene that he is mostly in love with love. He has sent Valentine to Olivia, and Valentine returns with the news that Olivia is refusing to see any man for seven years, while she mourns her brother. After Viola joins his court, in disguise as Cesario, Orsino sends his new page to woo Olivia, convinced that his youth and beauty will win over Olivia. When Viola returns to tell Orsino that Olivia cannot love him, Orsino replies that she must. Viola counters that a woman in love with Orsino would be rejected, and they then argue over whether women or men love most constantly. In the final scene, Olivia announces that she and Cesario have married, confusing Viola, who knows, of course, that no such thing has happened. Orsino, enraged, announces that he will kill his page for betrayal, which Viola willingly agrees to. The confusion and the planned revenge are both halted by the arrival of Sebastian, and the revelation that Viola is a woman disguised as a boy. When he realizes this, Orsino remembers that she has said she could never love a woman as she does him, and declares that once she is in woman's clothes again, he will marry her.
PANDARUS
Only mentioned. When Viola offers Feste money, he jokingly says that he would play Pandarus to bring Cressida (another coin) to this Troilus. Viola obliges him with more money.
PENTHESILEA
Only mentioned. The queen of the Amazons, a name used by Sir Toby for Maria.
PRIEST
The Priest marries Sebastian and Olivia (offstage) and then confirms that he did so two hours later, unaware that it is Viola (dressed as Cesario) rather than Sebastian who is standing before him.
PYTHAGORUS
Only mentioned. Feste, as Sir Topas, questions the confined Malvolio about
Pythagorus. Malvolio correctly identifies him as the author of the theory of transmigration of souls, but when he rejects the belief, Feste says he will leave Malvolio confined until he accepts it.
RODERIGO
Apparently a name Sebastian (q.v.) used for a short while, since after telling
Antonio his true name and parentage, he says he has called himself Roderigo. No reason for the false name is given.
SEBASTIAN
Sebastian is the twin brother of Viola who is rescued (separately from his sister) from the shipwreck by Antonio. Although at first Sebastian gives himself the false name Roderigo, he quickly reveals himself to Antonio and describes his history, and the loss of his sister. He decides to travel to the court of Orsino, and is followed there by Antonio. Once in Illyria, Antonio gives Sebastian all his money so the latter can amuse himself at the market while Antonio goes to get rooms at the local inn. Sebastian is found by Feste, who thinks he is Cesario and will not be persuaded otherwise. While they are arguing, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby enter and Sir Andrew, also mistaken, strikes Sebastian. He is unpleasantly surprised to find the meek youth he had previously insulted has turned into a fighter. Sir Toby and Sebastian draw their swords, but are stopped by Olivia, who, in turn, is thrilled to find a much more amiable Cesario. Sebastian is completely confused by Olivia's apparent relationship with him, but cannot persuade himself that she is mad. When Olivia enters with the Priest, he agrees to go ahead with the marriage. Shortly after the wedding, he gets into an offstage fight with Sir Andrew and Sir Toby and beats them both. He follows them on stage to apologize to his new wife for beating her kinsman, and discovers a second self, which he recognizes, with some help from her, as his sister in male clothing. He is then able to understand Olivia's apparently instant love for him and explain it.
SEBASTIAN OF MESSALINE
A "ghost character." Sebastian of Messaline is the father of Sebastian and
Viola, who died when they were thirteen and had a mole on his forehead.
SERVANT
The Servant enters while Malvolio is trying to impress Olivia with his smiling and yellow cross-gartered stockings, and tells her that Cesario has arrived and awaits her.
TITUS
A "ghost character." Titus is nephew to Orsino. He lost his leg in a sea battle in which Antonio was involved, although it is not clear if Antonio himself cost Titus his leg.
TOBY BELCH
Sir Toby Belch is the uncle of Olivia and apparently living off of her. He is a boisterous drunkard, and therefore constantly at odds with Malvolio. He is friends with Sir Andrew Aguecheeck, and has convinced that gentleman that he has a chance to marry Olivia. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste engage in a night of drunken singing, aided by Maria, and are roundly condemned by Malvolio. They therefore decide to take revenge on him by convincing him, through a forged letter, that Olivia is in love with him. The plan is carried out, although when Malvolio muses out loud how he would treat those beneath him once he is married to Olivia, Sir Toby becomes so angry he can barely remain hidden. Once Olivia is convinced that Malvolio is mad or possessed, she turns him over to Sir Toby's care; Sir Toby promptly has him confined in a dark cell. Meanwhile, Sir Andrew has realized that Olivia is in love with the disguised Viola and Sir Toby must simultaneously convince Sir Andrew that Olivia is merely pretending to make him jealous and maneuver the jealous but timid knight into a duel. Sir Toby and Fabian bring Viola and Sir Andrew together for the duel, although both are terrified, but they are interrupted by Antonio, who believes Viola is Sebastian. After that fight is broken up by the arrest of Antonio, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew meet and attack Sebastian, but are stopped by Olivia, who leads Sebastian away. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew finally get to fight, but instead of the timid Cesario they encounter Sebastian and are soundly beaten. After accusing Viola of being the attacker, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby are helped off, so they are not present for the final revelations, but Fabian tells the others that Sir Toby has married Maria to reward her for her part in fooling Malvolio.
TOPAS
Sir Topas is the name of the fictional priest played by Feste (q.v) during the imprisonment and questioning of Malvolio.
TROILUS
Only mentioned. When Viola offers Feste money, he jokingly says that he would play Pandarus to bring Cressida (another coin) to this Troilus. Viola obliges him with more money.
VALENTINE
Valentine is an attendant to Orsino. He is the first one sent to see Olivia and returns, unsuccessful, to describe Olivia's plan to mourn her brother for seven years and refuse all male company during that time. He comments to the disguised Viola that after only three days Orsino is attached to her, and, after being dismissed by the entering Orsino, is seen no more.
VIOLA
Viola is the twin sister of Sebastian, and after the shipwreck she believes killed her brother, she dresses in his clothes and presents herself as the page Cesario to Orsino. She quickly falls in love with him, and so is saddened to be sent on a mission to woo Olivia for Orsino. Nevertheless, she does her best, and is so determined that she is admitted to Olivia's presence, despite the latter's vow not to see any man for seven years. Olivia tells Viola that she cannot love Orsino, and when Malvolio appears to give her a ring Olivia claims Viola left behind, Viola realizes that Olivia has in fact fallen in love with her. Despite this tangle, she continues to woo Olivia for Orsino, rousing the jealous of Sir Andrew, who is also a suitor for Olivia. Sir Toby, who has borrowed a great deal of money from Sir Andrew, forces a duel between the two obviously unwilling participants, but it is broken up when Antonio appears and believes Viola to be her brother. Viola declares she does not know Antonio, a claim that infuriates Antonio. When Antonio is brought before Orsino on charges of piracy, Viola asks for mercy, but Antonio is still furious at his supposed friend's refusal to acknowledge him. Olivia enters and, seeing Viola, declares that they are married. Despite Viola's rejection of Olivia, Orsino, outraged at this betrayal, plans to kill his page, and Viola is so in love with Orsino that she agrees to go with him. The mystery is solved when Sebastian enters to apologize to Olivia his new wife) for beating her kinsman Sir Toby. Viola is revealed to be a woman, and Orsino agrees to marry her once she is in woman's clothing again.