Minor Characters
Maria
Olivia's clever, feisty lady-in-waiting holds her own in battles of wit with the other servants and devises the prank on Malvolio. Although vicious to Malvolio, she is devoted and attentive to Olivia. Her wit wins the affection of Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby, whom she marries.
Sir Toby
Olivia's vulgar uncle, a drunkard, lives at and leeches off of her house. Sir Toby's crass double entendres and sex jokes offer an earthy contrast to Orsino's flowery love-poetry, and his antics help to overthrow Malvolio's efforts to impose order. Sir Toby eventually marries Olivia's lady-in-waiting, Maria.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek
A friend of Sir Toby, he hopes to marry Olivia, despite the fact that his suit is obviously hopeless. Sir Andrew provides a comic foil for the higher characters, who are much more serious about their wooing.
Feste
A clown, Feste is allowed to poke fun at the higher characters. In this role, he turns upside down the conventional social order, just as occurred during the Twelfth Night holiday (see Background Info for more detail on the Twelfth Night holiday).
Antonio
A local from Illyria who rescues Sebastian from the shipwreck. Antonio's feelings for Sebastian push the boundary line between devoted male friendship and love.
Fabian
An attendant in Olivia's household.
Curio
One of Orsino's attendants.
Valentine
One of Orsino's attendants.