# Sebastian — Twelfth Night character guide

> Sebastian in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sebastian O good Antonio, Sebastian Antonio, Sebastian Madam

**First appearance:** 0008-act-ii-scene-i

## Snapshot

Viola's twin brother, presumed lost at sea, who arrives in Illyria alive and becomes the unwitting key to every mistaken identity.

## Who they are

Sebastian survives the shipwreck that separates him from Viola and washes up in Illyria under Antonio's protection, grieving a sister he believes drowned. His reunion with Viola hinges on shared proofs — their father's mole, the day he died — and on Viola's plea that he not embrace her until the circumstances cohere. His arrival in the middle of the play's romantic tangle turns confusion into resolution, making him the hinge on which the comedy's mistaken identities finally swing shut.

## Relationships

### [Sir Toby Belch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/sir_toby_belch)

_social_

Sebastian is drawn into Sir Toby's schemes and fights, leading to a brief but volatile acquaintance.

### [Olivia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/olivia)

_romantic_

Olivia mistakes Sebastian for Cesario and marries him, believing he is the object of her affection.

### [Viola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/viola)

_family_

Sebastian and Viola are twin siblings, separated by shipwreck, whose reunion resolves the play's confusions.

### [Feste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/feste)

_social_

Feste encounters Sebastian briefly, mistaking him for Cesario, leading to confusion and comic exchanges.

### [Sir Toby Belch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/sir_toby_belch)

_social_

Sebastian is drawn into Sir Toby's schemes and fights, leading to a brief but volatile acquaintance.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Reveals his true name and his sister's drowning; insists on traveling alone to Orsino's court.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Arrives in Illyria with Antonio, accepts Antonio's purse, and plans to explore the town.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Mistaken for Cesario, fights Sir Andrew, and agrees to go with Olivia.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Marvels at his fortune and the pearl, agrees to marry Olivia.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Reunited with Viola; confirms his marriage to Olivia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters/sebastian
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelfth_night_se/characters