House of Orsino:
- Orsino – Duke of Illyria
- Curio – Orsino's attendant
- Valentine – Orsino's attendant
- Officers – men of the law
House of Olivia:
- Olivia – Countess of Illyria
- Malvolio – Olivia's steward
- Maria – Olivia's lady-in waiting
- Feste – Olivia's clown
- Fabian – Olivia's servant
- Sir Toby Belch – Olivia's uncle
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek – friend of Sir Toby's
- Priest – a man of the church
The strangers:
- Viola – a shipwrecked young woman who disguises herself as the male page 'Cesario'
- Sebastian – Viola's twin brother
- Antonio – sea captain and friend to Sebastian
- Captain – a friend to Viola
