Curio's role in Twelfth Night is minor, appearing in only three scenes and speaking in two. He serves as a stock character, specifically a clever servant. Curio displays intelligence, sensibility, and compassion, such as when he distracts Duke Orsino from his suffering and respectfully fulfills Orsino's requests. These actions highlight his role as a clever and compassionate servant.

In Twelfth Night, Feste uses several puns, showcasing his verbal dexterity. In Act I, scene v, he says, "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit," and plays on "points" referring to both his resolve and his trousers. He also puns on "Take the fool away" by suggesting Olivia is the fool. In Act III, scene i, he puns on "live by" when talking to Viola, meaning both his profession and his residence.

Malvolio's quote about greatness recurs in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night when Feste the Clown mocks him by repeating it. Initially, Malvolio reads the line aloud from a forged letter meant to deceive him into believing Olivia loves him. The letter states, "some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em," which leads to his humiliation as he misguidedly follows its instructions.

Sir Toby and Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night are similar in their love for revelry, often indulging in drinking, singing, and late-night antics. However, they differ significantly in their motives and intelligence. Sir Toby is a savvy opportunist who mooches off his niece Olivia, while Sir Andrew is a foolish spendthrift seeking to marry Olivia for wealth. Ultimately, Toby marries Maria, a servant, while Andrew is manipulated and remains unsuccessful in his pursuits.

In "Twelfth Night," Shakespeare employs stock characters such as Malvolio, Sir Toby Belch, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Malvolio, whose name suggests "evil will," is a puritanical figure who desires social advancement through marriage to Olivia. Sir Toby Belch, embodying the festive spirit of Twelfth Night, is a gluttonous, jovial relative. Sir Andrew Aguecheek, with his feeble disposition, serves as the unsuitable suitor, reflecting physical and moral inadequacies for marriage.

Maria in Twelfth Night exemplifies the "clever servant" stock character, a common trope in Greek and Roman comedies, later used by Shakespeare. She is more intelligent and perceptive than her social superiors, highlighted by her scheme to deceive Malvolio. Unlike typical stock characters on the periphery, Maria actively shapes the plot, demonstrating her rational intelligence and central role in the play's events, akin to characters in Commedia dell' Arte.

Fabian in Twelfth Night is a minor character who participates in the plot to humiliate Malvolio as revenge for Malvolio's actions against him. He joins Sir Toby and Maria in tricking Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him. Fabian is characterized as a "clever servant," engaging in schemes and pranks. Ultimately, he confesses to the plot, helping to resolve the misunderstandings by revealing Malvolio's sanity and aiding in his release.

Feste's name in Twelfth Night is pronounced "Fest-ee," with a long "e" sound in the second syllable. This pronunciation rhymes with "testy." Feste is often called "Fool" in the play, highlighting his dual role as both a character and an insightful commentator on the actions of others.

In Twelfth Night, Malvolio is disliked because of his stiffness, priggishness, and insufferable self-regard. He is easily fooled by Maria's "love letter" that he believes is from Olivia, giving in to his pride and vanity as he fantasizes about becoming Count Malvolio.

Feste demonstrates his intelligence in "Twelfth Night" through his witty wordplay and insightful observations. Unlike earlier Shakespearean fools, Feste is a "wise fool," reflecting the sophistication of Robert Armin, the actor who portrayed him. Feste's songs and repartee are cleverly integrated into the play, illustrating his ability to assess situations and people astutely. Viola's remarks in Act 3, Scene 1 highlight Feste's skill in using wit to navigate and critique the social dynamics around him.

Shakespeare portrays Sir Andrew Aguecheek as a "foolish knight" through his consistent misspeaking and misunderstanding of conversations, especially with Maria and Sir Toby. Sir Andrew mistakenly believes himself to be courageous and intelligent, despite his actions proving otherwise. His foolish pursuit of Olivia, thinking he can rival the Duke, highlights his lack of self-awareness. Additionally, Sir Toby exploits Sir Andrew financially, further underscoring his foolishness and gullibility.

The clown, Feste, in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, serves as Olivia's jester and is the only character who remains detached from the play's conflicts, allowing him to provide objective commentary on other characters' actions and flaws. His witty observations and humor contribute to the play's festive tone. Feste acts as a foil to Sir Toby and highlights the folly of others, embodying the idea that a wise fool is better than a foolish wit.

Malvolio wants to marry Olivia in Twelfth Night primarily because this marriage would give him wealth and social status. Perhaps most importantly, it would make him the head of Olivia's family, giving him power over Sir Toby Belch, Olivia's uncle, with whom he has a long-running feud.

Malvolio in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night starts as an unsympathetic character due to his pompous and self-involved nature. However, his mistreatment by Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria, and Feste, who deceive and humiliate him, renders him more sympathetic. They trick him into believing Olivia loves him and confine him as a madman, which can be seen as excessive punishment for his ambition. This shift may evoke sympathy, though interpretations vary.

Sir Andrew Aguecheek is depicted as a fool, a coward, and a quarrelsome individual. He is easily manipulated and often engages in fights, showing a quick temper. Despite his wealth, he is portrayed as lacking intelligence and bravery, notably becoming terrified of dueling Cesario. Additionally, he is self-aggrandizing, easily duped, and a drunkard, as observed by Sir Toby Belch and Maria, who frequently mock him.

Viola is portrayed as a strong, self-determined character who controls her emotions and remains faithful in love, making her unique in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Orsino is depicted as a self-absorbed character infatuated with love itself rather than Olivia, enjoying the pursuit more than the outcome. Maria is seen as flirtatious yet vindictive, while Toby is likened to a fun-loving, selfish "frat boy" who disregards Olivia's mourning. Overall, these characters add depth and humor to the play.

Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Malvolio in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" both embody the play's themes of folly and revelry. Malvolio is pompous, vain, and becomes a target for ridicule, manipulated into absurdity by others. In contrast, Sir Andrew is naturally foolish, feeble-minded, and enjoys drinking and revelry. While Malvolio's foolishness is imposed upon him, Sir Andrew's is inherent, reflecting the play's festive spirit through his reckless behavior and self-pity.

Other names in the text beside Feste that give subtle clues to their characters include Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Malvolio. Belch is a drinker, Aguecheek, whose name means shiver cheek, is a coward, and Malvolio is an ill-natured man. Shakespeare gave them such descriptive names to emphasize their broad, comic roles in the play.

Sebastian beats up Sir Toby and Sir Andrew because they mistake him for Cesario and attack him first. Antonio is arrested because he is recognized as having "many enemies in Orsino's court." He risks exposure by intervening in a duel to protect who he believes is Sebastian but is actually Cesario, leading to his arrest when officers recognize him.

Twelfth Night presents extreme attitudes and behaviors, especially regarding love and identity. Characters experience "insanity in love," like love at first sight, as seen with Viola, Olivia, and Orsino. Malvolio's hubris and self-love make him a target for cruel tricks, leading to his imprisonment and public humiliation. The play also explores gender roles and identity extremes, with Viola disguising herself as a man due to dire circumstances, highlighting societal expectations and personal desperation.

Sir Toby and Andrew dislike Malvolio because they see him as a jumped-up servant with delusions of grandeur. Feste dislikes him because he has no sense of fun. Maria and Fabian dislike Malvolio because, despite being no more than a servant, he acts like a stuck-up aristocrat.

Malvolio in "Twelfth Night" illustrates the dangers of arrogance and self-righteousness. Despite his virtues, his pompous nature and ambition lead to his downfall. His conceit blinds him to reality, making him believe Maria's trickery about Olivia's love. This highlights the folly of excessive ambition, especially in a society where class mobility was rare. Malvolio's story teaches that arrogance can lead to self-deception and public ridicule.

In "Twelfth Night," gender distinctions are blurred as characters are driven more by motives than inherent gender differences. Viola and Sebastian, being twins, are mistaken for one another, highlighting the play's exploration of identity. Viola disguises herself as a man, complicating romantic pursuits with Orsino and Olivia. The chaos of mistaken identities and hidden desires showcases the fluidity of gender roles, ultimately resolving in unexpected pairings, though not everyone finds happiness, as seen with Malvolio.

Feste, in Twelfth Night, is a witty and insightful fool. Through his clever dialogue and songs, he provides critical commentary on other characters and events. His interactions reveal his intelligence and perceptiveness, often outwitting nobles. Other characters view him as both entertaining and wise, recognizing his role as a truth-teller hidden behind a facade of foolishness.

In "Twelfth Night," gender roles significantly impact character roles, as seen with Viola's transformation into Cesario, highlighting how romantic love and character traits transcend gender. Both Orsino and Olivia experience love at first sight, while Viola displays loyalty and determination regardless of her gender identity. The play challenges traditional gender stereotypes through role reversals, such as Olivia's proactive pursuit of Cesario and Malvolio's drastic changes to please his presumed love interest, subverting typical gender expectations.

In Twelfth Night, Valentine is a minor yet significant character, serving as Duke Orsino's servant. His role is pivotal in revealing that Orsino's love for Olivia is unrequited. Valentine attempts to convey Orsino's affections to Olivia, but she refuses to see him, as she is mourning her brother. Consequently, Viola, disguised as Cesario, replaces Valentine as Orsino's messenger, ultimately having a greater impact on Olivia. Valentine's presence underscores the themes of love and courtship.

Antonio is a significant character in Twelfth Night as he aids Sebastian and demonstrates loyalty and affection. His motivations stem from his deep bond with Sebastian, whom he rescues and supports despite potential danger. Antonio's history includes being a sea captain involved in conflicts, which adds layers to his brave and selfless character.

Sir Toby Belch is a comedic character in Twelfth Night who represents the theme of festivity and excess. His indulgence in drinking and merrymaking contrasts with the more serious elements of the play. He significantly drives the subplot of tricking Malvolio, highlighting themes of social ambition and class conflict. Sir Toby's actions and personality add humor and complexity to the narrative.