Character Analysis (OCR A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Character analysis

Overview of characters in Twelfth Night

The characters in Twelfth Night contribute significantly to the play's comedy through their exaggerated emotions and behaviours. Many characters are consumed by their feelings, creating humorous situations and misunderstandings. For instance, both Olivia and Orsino become entirely absorbed by love, whilst Sir Toby and Sir Andrew spend their time drinking and playing pranks. Malvolio stands out as the only character who takes life seriously, which ironically makes him a target for mockery.

Viola

Character background

Following a shipwreck that seemingly costs her twin brother Sebastian his life, Viola arrives in the unfamiliar land of Illyria. Uncertain about her future, she makes the bold decision to disguise herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. The Duke sends Cesario to court Olivia on his behalf, but this plan goes awry when Olivia falls in love with Cesario, not realising he is actually Viola in disguise. Meanwhile, Viola herself develops feelings for Orsino, creating a complex love triangle.

The confusion intensifies when Sebastian reappears. After several cases of mistaken identity, the truth emerges: Sebastian marries Olivia, and Orsino, discovering that his trusted servant is actually a woman, proposes to Viola instead.

Despite being the source of much confusion due to her disguised identity, Viola remains one of the play's most honest and sympathetic characters. Her integrity contrasts sharply with the more superficial attitudes of those around her.

Key character attributes

Loyal

Viola demonstrates unwavering loyalty even when it causes her personal distress. Although she has fallen deeply in love with Orsino, she continues to maintain her disguise as Cesario and faithfully woos Olivia on the Duke's behalf. This selfless devotion shows her strong sense of duty and honour.

Passionate

When Viola speaks about her love for Orsino, her language reveals the depth of her feelings. She suggests she could pine away from unrequited love, describing emotional suffering with vivid imagery:

She pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholy She sat like Patience on a monument

This metaphor of sitting like Patience on a monument suggests both stillness and endurance, showing how she silently bears her love.

Genuine

Unlike Orsino and Olivia, who seem able to switch the focus of their affections quite quickly, Viola remains true to her feelings throughout the play. Orsino moves from Olivia to Viola, and Olivia transfers her love from Cesario to Sebastian, but Viola's love for Orsino never wavers. This constancy highlights her emotional authenticity.

Relationships

Friends:

• Orsino - her master and the object of her hidden love
• Olivia - the Countess who inadvertently falls in love with Viola's disguised persona

Family:

• Sebastian - her twin brother, who speaks of her with great affection

Enemies:

• Sir Andrew Aguecheek - reluctantly duels with her because of Olivia's affection for Cesario

Character development

Viola's journey shows remarkable adaptability and emotional growth:

1. When shipwrecked and alone, she takes decisive action by disguising herself as Cesario and securing employment with Duke Orsino
2. She falls in love with Orsino but cannot reveal her feelings due to her disguise, creating internal conflict
3. At the play's end, she reveals her true identity and marries the Duke

Character analysis with textual evidence

Viola's genuine nature emerges through her honest speech, even when disguised. Though she hides her love for Orsino by pretending to speak about a sibling, she still tells the truth. She says:

My father had a daughter loved a man As it might be perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship.

Her passionate nature appears in her poetic language when discussing love. The imagery she uses suggests her feelings run deep and true. When Orsino asks if she knows someone who suffered for love, Viola responds with this poignant description of silent suffering.

At the play's conclusion, Viola demonstrates the seriousness and permanence of her commitment. When Orsino realises she is a woman in love with him, she explains that her devotion is as constant as the sun:

And all those swearing keep as true in soul As doth that orbèd continent the fire That severs day from night.

This celestial imagery emphasises the eternal nature of her love, contrasting with the more fickle affections displayed by other characters.

Orsino

Character background

Orsino, the Duke of Illyria, is the first character to appear on stage. His opening words have become one of Shakespeare's most famous lines: 'If music be the food of love play on'. This line immediately introduces the play's central themes of love and excess.

Orsino is hopelessly in love with Olivia and employs Cesario (the disguised Viola) as his servant, sending him to woo Olivia on his behalf. He remains determined that Olivia will eventually relent, persistently sending messages of love despite her clear rejections.

When the Duke discovers that Cesario (actually Sebastian in a case of mistaken identity) has married Olivia, he feels deeply hurt and betrayed. However, his feelings shift remarkably quickly when he learns that his servant is actually a woman named Viola, and he immediately offers her his love instead.

Key character attributes

Self-indulgent

Orsino appears more in love with the concept of being in love than with any actual person. He luxuriates in his romantic feelings, surrounding himself with music and flowers to enhance his emotional state. He seems to enjoy the drama of unrequited love rather than genuinely pursuing a relationship.

Superficial

Like Olivia, Orsino proves quick to change the object of his affections. At the play's end, he transitions easily from loving Olivia to loving Viola. This rapid shift suggests his feelings lack depth and are based more on appearance and availability than genuine emotional connection.

Fanciful

At the play's opening, Orsino expresses a desire to surround himself with flowers to enhance his thoughts of love. This romantic but impractical attitude reveals his tendency towards fantasy rather than reality.

Relationships

Friends:

• Cesario (Viola) - proves loyal as Orsino's servant and eventually falls in love with him
• Olivia - the object of his professed affection

Character development

Orsino's emotional journey reveals his inconsistent nature:

1. He begins the play asking Cesario to woo Olivia on his behalf
2. Despite his proclaimed love for Olivia, he becomes willing to act spitefully when he discovers she has married Cesario
3. He switches his affection easily from Olivia to Viola

Character analysis with textual evidence

Orsino's melodramatic nature appears throughout the play. He seems to have constructed an image of himself as a romantic hero and cares more about maintaining this image than about actual relationships. His excessive romanticism emerges in lines like:

Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers.

He believes his love will somehow strengthen if surrounded by flowers, suggesting he's more interested in the aesthetic presentation of love than its substance.

His superficial nature becomes most apparent at the play's conclusion when he rapidly transfers his affections:

Here is my hand; you shall from this time be Your master's mistress.

The ease with which he moves from loving Olivia to proposing to Viola suggests his feelings lack genuine depth. He seems content as long as he has someone to love, regardless of who that person actually is.

Olivia

Character background

The Countess Olivia begins the play in mourning for her deceased brother. She declares she will refuse to meet with any suitors during this period of grief. However, when Cesario (Viola in disguise) persistently requests an audience, she agrees to see him. Her sorrow seems to dissipate rather quickly after meeting Orsino's messenger, and she sends her steward Malvolio after Cesario with a ring. She pretends Cesario left the ring behind, but this is actually a ploy to make him return.

When Sebastian arrives in Illyria, Olivia mistakes him for Cesario and asks him to marry her. She's delighted when he agrees and appears unconcerned when she later discovers that her love had actually been directed towards Viola, or that her new husband is essentially a stranger to her.

Key character attributes

Temperamental

When audiences first encounter Olivia, she is consumed by grief for her brother. Shortly after meeting Cesario, however, she becomes consumed by love instead. Her extreme mood swings reveal an unstable emotional state. Maria comments that Olivia's current melancholy is an 'addiction', suggesting it is somewhat insincere. Olivia seems to enjoy the drama of intense emotions.

Melodramatic

Maria's observation that Olivia is 'addicted' to melancholy suggests her grief is performed rather than deeply felt. She appears to relish dramatic displays of emotion, whether sadness or love. This theatrical quality makes her similar to Orsino in her approach to feelings.

Superficial

Olivia shows little concern about marrying Sebastian so hastily. The fact that he physically resembles Cesario, the person she fell in love with, appears to be sufficient. She doesn't seem troubled that she knows nothing about Sebastian's character or background. Physical appearance matters more to her than genuine connection.

Relationships

Friends:

• Maria - her lady-in-waiting and confidante
• Orsino - he pursues her romantically
• Malvolio - her steward, who also develops feelings for her

Family:

• Sir Toby Belch - her cousin, though she disapproves of his behaviour

Character development

Olivia's emotional state shifts dramatically throughout the play:

1. She begins in mourning, claiming she will refuse all suitors
2. With minimal persistence from Cesario, she abandons her vow and falls passionately in love
3. She marries Viola's twin brother Sebastian at the play's conclusion

Character analysis with textual evidence

Olivia demonstrates persistence in pursuing love that mirrors Orsino's behaviour. She declares:

I would you were as I would have you be And call upon my soul within the house

Even after Cesario reminds Olivia that he represents Orsino and expresses pity rather than love for her, the Countess continues to want Cesario to return her feelings. This stubborn pursuit despite clear rejection creates a parallel with Orsino's pursuit of her.

Malvolio

Character background

Malvolio serves as Olivia's steward and is characterised by his serious, sober demeanour and his secret ambitions to rise in social status and become a nobleman. His austere approach to life makes him unpopular with other characters.

He proves rude and overbearing, insulting Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria and Feste. Seeking revenge for his harsh treatment, these characters trick him with a forged letter. The letter, supposedly from Olivia, makes Malvolio believe the Countess wants to marry him. It instructs him to wear yellow stockings with cross-garters and to smile more frequently. When Malvolio follows these instructions, Olivia believes he has gone mad.

Maria and Sir Toby Belch lock Malvolio in a dark room where Feste torments him. He is eventually released to join the wedding celebrations, but when he realises he has been tricked, he storms out threatening revenge on everyone involved.

Key character attributes

Controlling

Malvolio attempts to control access to Olivia, preventing visitors from disturbing her. He even stops Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who arrives with her own cousin, Toby Belch. This behaviour exceeds his authority as a steward and reveals his desire for power.

Sober

He strongly disapproves of Sir Toby and Sir Andrew's excessive drinking. His puritanical attitude towards pleasure and revelry sets him apart from the other characters and makes him a target for their pranks.

Serious

Maria's forged letter encourages Malvolio to smile more, suggesting this is not something he naturally does. His grim, humourless demeanour contrasts sharply with the play's generally festive atmosphere.

Relationships

Friends:

• Olivia - he tries to protect her and harbours secret hopes of marrying her

Enemies:

• Sir Toby and Sir Andrew - he finds their excessive partying annoying and tries to control their behaviour
• Maria - she writes the forged letter that leads to his humiliation

Character development

Malvolio's character arc traces a fall from pride to humiliation:

1. He appears very sober and serious at the play's beginning, attempting to maintain order in Olivia's household
2. After reading the forged letter, he begins wearing yellow stockings and smiling, believing this will win Olivia's love
3. At the play's end, he storms off threatening revenge on everyone, having learned he was tricked

Character analysis with textual evidence

Olivia herself recognises that Malvolio takes life too seriously. When Feste teases him, Olivia suggests Malvolio should respond to the jester's comments in the light-hearted spirit intended. She notes that he treats harmless jokes as if they were serious attacks:

To be generous, guiltless, and of free disposition is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon bullets

His disapproval of drunkenness emerges clearly in his interactions with Sir Toby. He states bluntly:

You must amend your drunkenness

When Malvolio imagines being married to Olivia, one of his first fantasies involves telling Sir Toby to change his behaviour. Earlier, he scolds Sir Toby and Sir Andrew for making noise late at night, despite lacking the authority to do so. This reveals both his controlling nature and his social ambitions.

Additional characters

Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek

Sir Toby serves as Olivia's cousin, whilst Sir Andrew is his close friend. They spend most of their time drinking together and engaging in foolish behaviour. Sir Andrew harbours hopes of marrying Olivia, but she refuses to see him. Together with Maria, they devise the trick played on Malvolio. Later, they attack Cesario, who has won the Countess's heart.

Sir Toby acknowledges his foolish reputation, stating:

I knew 'twas I, for many do call me fool

Character attributes:

• Drunkard
• Frivolous

Maria

Maria serves as Olivia's lady-in-waiting and proves responsible for forging the letter that Malvolio discovers in the garden. Although less frivolous than Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, she enjoys the practical joke they play on Olivia's steward. Sir Toby marries her as a reward for successfully carrying out the trick.

She describes her careful planning:

I have dogged him like his murderer. He does obey every point of the letter that I dropped to betray him.

Character attributes:

• Cunning
• Sharp

Feste

Olivia's jester demonstrates quick wit and enjoys playing with language. He contributes to the play's chaos and comedy by causing additional confusion. His songs alternate between cheerful and melancholy tones, helping to establish the play's emotional atmosphere.

Feste's skill as a fool requires intelligence, as he notes:

This fellow is wise enough to play the fool, And to do that well craves a kind of wit

Character attributes:

• Clever
• Funny

Sebastian

Viola's twin brother Sebastian is rescued from the sea by Antonio. He believes his sister drowned in the shipwreck. Later, he experiences a series of confusing events when he's mistaken for Cesario (his sister in disguise). Sir Andrew and Sir Toby attack him, but Olivia intervenes, stopping the fight and declaring her love for him. Eventually, he reunites with his sister.

He responds to these strange events by saying:

And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus Yet 'tis not madness.

Character attributes:

• Quick to fall in love
• Trusting

Antonio

Antonio rescues Sebastian from drowning and becomes determined to protect him afterwards. He has a reputation as both a fighter and a pirate, but he displays protective and loving behaviour towards Sebastian. He feels heartbroken when he later fights on behalf of Cesario/Viola (thinking she is Sebastian) and she doesn't recognise him.

He expresses his devotion:

I do adore thee so That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.

Character attributes:

• Loyal
• Protective