Sebastian is one of the main characters from

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's play ''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola an ...

'', believed to have been written around 1600 or 1601.

Background

Sebastian is the twin brother of

Viola The viola ( , () ) is a string instrument of the violin family, and is usually bowed when played. Violas are slightly larger than violins, and have a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of the ...

. After the beginning of the play, Viola mentions that her brother Sebastian is drowned in the sea. The next appearance of Sebastian denies this, as he has been rescued by Antonio, a sea captain who looks after Sebastian at some risk to himself. After three months with Antonio, Sebastian decides to set out to

Illyria In classical and late antiquity, Illyria (; , ''Illyría'' or , ''Illyrís''; , ''Illyricum'') was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by numerous tribes of people collectively known as the Illyrians. The Ancient Gree ...

, ruled by Duke Orsino. Meanwhile, Viola has disguised herself as a male page named Cesario and works for the Duke. A love triangle situation ensues, where the Duke is in love with Countess Olivia, Viola falls in love with the Duke, and Olivia falls in love with Viola, thinking she is a man. Because they look so much alike, when Olivia sees Sebastian later, after he has not backed down from a challenge by

Sir Andrew Aguecheek Sir Andrew Aguecheek is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play '' Twelfth Night, or What You Will''. One of the supporting characters, Sir Andrew is a stereotypical fool, who is goaded into unwisely duelling with Cesario and who ...

, she thinks he is "Cesario". She asks him to marry her, to which Sebastian agrees. When Olivia and Sebastian are wed, Antonio's romantic-like love is left unrequited. When Viola appears with the duke, the siblings are reunited and the Duke resolves to marry Viola.

Character interpretation

Sebastian's character is necessary to allow Viola to unravel the roles she has accumulated in the play, and to allow her to return to being a woman, and allowing her to marry Orsino. Sebastian also has a part of his own; later on he marries Countess Olivia, whom Orsino had previously loved. Analysis of Major Characters in ''Twelfth Night''
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Film representations

* ''Twelfth Night'' (1910) – Directed by Eugene Mullin – Sebastian: Edith Storey * ''Twelfth Night'' (1939) – Directed by Michel Saint Denis – Sebastian: Basil Langton * ''Twelfth Night'' (1957) V– Directed by David Greene – Sebastian: Denholm Elliott * ''Twelfth Night'' (1957) – Directed by Caspar Wrede – Sebastian: Nicholas Amer * ''Twelfth Night'' (1969) – Directed by John Sichel – Sebastian:

Joan Plowright Joan Ann Olivier, Baroness Olivier (; 28 October 1929 – 16 January 2025), commonly known as Dame Joan Plowright, was an English actress whose career spanned over six decades. She received several accolades including two Golden Globe Awards, an ...

* ''Twelfth Night'' (1974) – Directed by David Giles – Sebastian: Sylvester Morand * ''Twelfth Night'' (1980) V– Directed by John Gorrie – Viola: Michael Thomas * ''Twelfth Night'' (1987) – Directed by Neil Armfield – Sebastian: Gillian Jones * ''Twelfth Night or What You Will'' (1988) – Directed by

Kenneth Branagh Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh ( ; born 10 December 1960) is a British actor and filmmaker. Born in Belfast and raised primarily in Reading, Berkshire, Branagh trained at RADA in London and served as its president from 2015 to 2024. List of award ...

of the

Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and opens around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, Stratf ...

/produced for television by

Thames Television Thames Television, commonly simplified to just Thames, was a franchise holder for a region of the British ITV television network serving London and surrounding areas from 30 July 1968 until the night of 31 December 1992. Thames Television broa ...

– Sebastian: Christopher Hollis * ''Twelfth Night'' (1992) – nimated Tales– Directed by Mariya Muat – Sebastian:

Hugh Grant Hugh John Mungo Grant (born 9 September 1960) is an English actor. He established himself early in his career as a charming and vulnerable romantic leading man, and has since transitioned into a character actor. He has received List of awards ...

* ''

'' (1996) – Directed by Trevor Nunn – Sebastian: Steven Mackintosh * '' Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' (1998) V– Directed by Nicholas Hytner – Sebastian: Rick Stear * ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' (2003) – Directed by Tim Supple – Sebastian: Ronny Jhutti * ''

She's the Man ''She’s the Man'' is a 2006 American romantic comedy teen sports film directed by Andy Fickman and starring Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, Vinnie Jones, and David Cross. Loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's play '' Twe ...

'' (2006) – Directed by

Andy Fickman Andrew John Fickman (born December 25, 1970) is an American film director, filmmaker. His credits as a theater director include the premiere of the Reefer Madness (musical), ''Reefer Madness!'' musical, the first Los Angeles, California, Los Ang ...

– Sebastian Hastings: James Kirk (Inspired by ''Twelfth Night'') * ''Twelfth Night'' (2018) – Directed by Adam Smethurst – Sebastian: Sheila Atim

References

Sources

Guide to Twelfth Night

Google books Shakespeare's ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will''
Characters in Twelfth Night Fictional castaways Fictional twins Male Shakespearean characters {{fict-char-stub