A shipwrecked girl in disguise, a lovesick duke, and one forged letter that ruins a steward.
Who drives the story
A shipwrecked twin who disguises herself as the page Cesario, serves Duke Orsino, and falls in love with him while wooing Olivia on his behalf. She never forces the plot — she lets time untangle it — and is rewarded with marriage once her identity is revealed.
Viola's twin brother, rescued by the sea captain Antonio and believed drowned. Mistaken for Cesario, he marries Olivia almost before he knows where he is, then reunites with his sister in the final scene.
Illyria's lovesick ruler, in love with the idea of loving Olivia, who uses Cesario as his go-between and confidant. When the tangle resolves, he marries Viola — the woman who loved him all along.
A countess in deep mourning who rejects Orsino's suit, then falls headlong for the page Cesario. She marries Sebastian believing him to be the same man, trading grief for a hasty wedding.
Olivia's pompous steward, the target of the forged-letter prank. He follows its absurd instructions — yellow stockings, constant smiling — is locked up as a madman, and exits swearing revenge on his tormentors.
Olivia's riotous uncle, leader of the late-night drinking and of the plot against Malvolio, which he runs partly to fund his cups. By the play's end he has married Maria.
A silly squire and would-be suitor of Olivia, kept in the game by Sir Toby for his money. He is persuaded to duel Cesario, slaps Sebastian by mistake, and gets beaten for it.
Olivia's quick-witted servant who devises the forged-letter revenge on Malvolio. Fabian reveals in the final scene that she has married Sir Toby — her prank literally pays off in marriage.
Olivia's witty fool, licensed to tell truths everyone else must swallow. He mocks Malvolio in the dark chamber as both himself and the disguised curate Sir Topas, and closes the play with a song.
Olivia's servant who joins the plot against Malvolio and helps goad Sir Andrew into the duel. He confesses the whole prank in the final scene and is sent to placate Malvolio.
The sea captain who rescued Sebastian and follows him to Illyria despite having fought against Orsino. He intervenes in the duel believing Cesario is Sebastian, is arrested, and is left feeling betrayed by ingratitude.
How they are connected
A shipwrecked twin who disguises herself as the page Cesario, serves Duke Orsino, and falls in love with him while wooing Olivia on his behalf.
Viola / CesarioCountess Olivia
A shipwrecked twin who disguises herself as the page Cesario, serves Duke Orsino, and falls in love with him while wooing Olivia on his behalf.
Viola's twin brother, rescued by the sea captain Antonio and believed drowned.
Viola's twin brother, rescued by the sea captain Antonio and believed drowned.
Mistaken for Cesario, he marries Olivia almost before he knows where he is, then reunites with his sister in the final scene.
Illyria's lovesick ruler, in love with the idea of loving Olivia, who uses Cesario as his go-between and confidant.
Olivia's pompous steward, the target of the forged-letter prank.
Olivia's riotous uncle, leader of the late-night drinking and of the plot against Malvolio, which he runs partly to fund his cups.
Olivia's riotous uncle, leader of the late-night drinking and of the plot against Malvolio, which he runs partly to fund his cups.
By the play's end he has married Maria.
Sir Andrew AguecheekCountess Olivia
A silly squire and would-be suitor of Olivia, kept in the game by Sir Toby for his money.
Sir Andrew AguecheekSir Toby Belch
A silly squire and would-be suitor of Olivia, kept in the game by Sir Toby for his money.
Go deeper
Gender and disguise · The theatre watching itself · Pleasure versus puritanism · Love as self-love
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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