Twelfth Night Act 1

Viola/ Cesario Main Characters in “12th Night”
Olivia A wealthy, beautiful, and noble Illyrian lady, Olivia is courted by Orsino and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, but to each of them she insists that she is in mourning for her brother, who has recently died, and will not marry for seven years. She and Orsino are similar characters in that each seems to enjoy wallowing in his or her own misery. Viola’s arrival in the masculine guise of Cesario enables Olivia to break free of her self-indulgent melancholy. Olivia seems to have no difficulty transferring her affections from one love interest to the next, however, suggesting that her romantic feelings—like most emotions in the play—do not run deep.
Duke A powerful nobleman in the country of Illyria. a bachelor.
Sir Toby Olivia’s uncle who lives with her; heavily drinks, makes practical jokes, and is somewhat obnoxious
Sir Andrew friend of Sir Toby, attempts to court Olivia, believes he is witty and brave but is actually and idiot
Malvolio The straitlaced steward—or head servant—in the household of Lady Olivia. Malvolio is very efficient but also very self-righteous, and he has a poor opinion of drinking, singing, and fun. His priggishness and haughty attitude earn him the enmity of Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria, who play a cruel trick on him, making him believe that Olivia is in love with him. In his fantasies about marrying his mistress, he reveals a powerful ambition to rise above his social class.
Maria Olivia’s clever, daring young waiting-gentlewoman.
Feste The clown, or fool, of Olivia’s household, Feste moves between Olivia’s and Orsino’s homes. He earns his living by making pointed jokes, singing old songs, being generally witty, and offering good advice cloaked under a layer of foolishness. In spite of being a professional fool, Feste often seems the wisest character in the play.
Duke to Curio “O spirit of love! How quick and fresh are thou!” (line 9)”If music not be the food of love; play on” (1)”Tis not so sweet now as it was before” (8)”That strain again! It had a dying fall” (4)
Viola to Captain “My brother he is in Elysium” (4)
Captain to Viola “I saw your brother…bind himself…to a strong mast that lived upon the sea” (11-16)”noble” (25)”bachelor” (29)
Maria to Sir Toby “You must come in earlier o’ nights” (4-5)”drunk highly {in Sir Toby’s} company” (34)”he’s a fool” (28)
Sir Toby to Maria “Confine! I’ll confine myself no finer then I am. These clothes are good enough to drink in; and so be these boots too. And they be not, let them hang themselves in their own trap” (9-12)”speaks three or four languages word for word without book ” (24-25)”he plays o’ the viol-de-gameboys” (24-25)
Sir Toby to Sir Andrew “No, sir, it is legs and thighs. Ha! higher; ha,ha excellent!” (130-131)
“I have them at my fingers’ end” (74) This means that he has things ready on his fingertips
“O’ the toe like a parish top” (39-40) This pun means that Sir Andrew is stumbling around when he is drunk
“It’s dry, sir” (68) This means that Maria is using dry humor and that his hands are dry
“Art thou good at these kickshawses, knight?” (107) This literally means that Sir Toby is asking Sir Andrew if he is good at many things
“Faith I can cut a caper” (111) Believe me I can dance
Valentine to Viola “if the Duke continues these favors towards you, Cesario, you are likely to be much advanced. He hath known you but three days, and already are you no stranger” (1-4)