Twelfth Night Character Analysis

Constantin Stanislavski remarked that "there are no small parts, only small actors." This same quote also applies to foil characters in any play or story. The article, “Developing Minor Characters,” by Michael Kurland, and William Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night, both demonstrate the idea of foil characters and how they enhance your writing. By illustrating his opinion on foils, Kurland shows how developing minor characters help accent the main characters, while Shakespeare brings this idea to life in several successful styles. In the article, “Developing Minor Characters,” by Michael Kurland, the author expresses the opinion of how minor yet crucial characters help the plot of the writing. Kurland believes that foil, or minor, characters

To start off, in Twelfth Night, Olivia works as a foil to Voila, or in her disguise, Cesario, by creating new emotions and chaos in the plot. Shakespeare quotes, “Cesario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honor, truth, and everything, I love thee so…” (3.1.157-159). According to Kurland’s opinion of a foil’s job, Olivia, the Helen of Troy of Twelfth Night, creates a foil for Cesario or Viola because she stirs up new mood and help advance the plot. Another foil shown in the play, the Duke Orsino for Cesario, also demonstrate how Shakespeare cleverly uses minor characters to enhance his plays by provoking more emotion from the more main characters. The Duke Orsino states, “What kind of woman is ’t? Of your complexion” (2.4.30-31). By the Duke asking Cesario about who he loves, he reveals more emotion, guiding the audience to feel a little bit of chaos forming when Cesario, aka Viola, hints at loving the Duke. Despite Cesario having many foils to highlight him, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew also demonstrate Shakespeare’s use of foil characters because they help appeal to the audience emotions when they try to take revenge on Malvolio. According to the play, after Malvolio acts rudely one again to Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria, they decide to take revenge. (2.3). When they decide to carry out this plan,