Answer:
Character Description and Relationships with Other Characters
Orsino
He is the lovesick duke of Illyria. Orsino is a noble man but lacks the courage to directly woo his lady, Olivia. He is melancholy and despondent. Orsino uses Cesario (Viola in disguise) as a go-between to convey his messages to Olivia. He is unaware that Viola is actually in love with him.
Olivia
Olivia is a countess (a lady of high social rank). She is proud and dignified. Following the death of her brother, she became the head of her household. She has gone into a self-imposed seclusion of seven years to mourn her brother. She scorns Duke Orsino and spurns his moves to impress her. Nevertheless, she succumbs to the charms of Cesario (Viola in disguise), the messenger from Orsino’s court. This situation creates a complicated love triangle in which Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia loves Cesario (Viola), and Viola loves Orsino.
Viola
Viola, the play’s protagonist, is a young lady of noble birth who finds herself on the shores of Illyria after a shipwreck. She is told that her twin brother, Sebastian, was not found after the shipwreck. Viola must fend for herself in a strange land. Therefore, she decides to disguise herself as a man named Cesario and serves as a page to Duke Orsino. She falls in love with him but is unable to express her feelings because she is disguised. Throughout the play, she handles difficult situations effectively and emerges as an intelligent, resourceful, and strong woman.
Sebastian
Sebastian is Viola’s twin brother who was lost in the shipwreck. He is saved by Antonio, a sea-captain who becomes his devoted friend. Sebastian is often mistaken as Cesario in the course of the play. He is a loving brother and has a penchant for adventure.
Antonio
Antonio is a sea-captain who saved Sebastian after the shipwreck. He takes on the responsibility of safeguarding Sebastian in Illyria. Antonio comes upon Viola disguised as Cesario in the duel scene and thinks that she is Sebastian. He is a loyal and devoted friend.
Malvolio
Malvolio is the steward in Olivia’s household. He has ambitions of climbing the social ladder by marrying Olivia. He is a puritan who abhors merrymaking, is vain, and is self-absorbed. Malvolio is immersed in self-love. As a steward, he is always berating those who are lower in rank than he is. People hate him for his condescending attitude toward them. He is at odds with Sir Toby, who is a compulsive drinker. Maria, Sir Toby, and Andrew Aguecheek trick Malvolio into making a fool of himself in front of Olivia.
Maria
Maria is a maid in Olivia’s household. She does not like Sir Toby’s drinking habit but dislikes Malvolio more. She writes the letter that causes Malvolio to appear in yellow cross garters in front of Olivia and act like a madman. Maria is sharp tongued and witty. She is also the love-interest of Sir Toby.
Sir Toby Belch
He is Olivia’s uncle who drinks and whiles away his time in the company of Andrew Aguecheek. This behavior earns Sir Toby the disapproval of Malvolio. Sir Toby, in turn, conspires to insult Malvolio. He comes across as a careless and irresponsible person who loves to play practical jokes.
Andrew Aguecheek
He is Sir Toby Belch’s favorite drinking partner. He is an aristocrat who earns three thousand ducats a year. He is not very intelligent and is gullible enough to be manipulated by Sir Toby. Sir Andrew Aguecheek also tries to woo Olivia, but she rejects him.
Feste
Feste is the clown in Olivia’s household. His duty is to entertain people with his antics. Feste has the freedom to say what he likes. He has a way with words and indulges in punning. Feste is also the aloof observer who makes precise comments on the behavior of other characters. He points out their folly and entertains them at the same time. He is the typical Shakespearean fool, with great insight into human nature.
Valentine
He is a servant in Orsino’s court.
Curio
He is an attendant in Orsino’s court.
Fabian He is a servant in Olivia’s household and is party to the conspiracy against Malvolio.
Step-by-step explanation: