Meet Servant, a character from William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night. Servant plays a significant role in the intricate web of love and mistaken identity that unfolds in this comedic masterpiece.
Servant is a minor character in the play, but their actions have a major impact on the plot. They are a loyal and trustworthy servant who works for Lady Olivia, a wealthy and noblewoman. Servant's primary duty is to carry out Lady Olivia's orders and ensure that her household runs smoothly.
One of the most memorable moments involving Servant occurs in Act II, Scene II. In this scene, Servant is tasked with delivering a message from Lady Olivia to Viola, who is disguised as a man named Cesario. Unbeknownst to Servant, Viola/Cesario has fallen in love with Lady Olivia and is desperately trying to win her affections.
Servant, being a dedicated servant, faithfully delivers the message to Viola/Cesario. However, due to a case of mistaken identity, Servant delivers the message to the wrong person. Instead of giving it to Viola/Cesario, they accidentally give it to Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, who is also in Illyria.
This mix-up sets off a chain of events that leads to even more confusion and comedic moments. Lady Olivia, thinking that Sebastian is Viola/Cesario, falls in love with him and promptly marries him later in the play. Meanwhile, Viola/Cesario is left bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
Servant, unaware of their mistake, continues to faithfully serve Lady Olivia throughout the play. They are a reliable and dutiful character, always ready to assist and carry out their mistress's wishes.
While Servant may not have a large number of lines or a central role, their actions are crucial in driving the plot forward. Without Servant's mistake in delivering the message, the comedic confusion and mistaken identities that make Twelfth Night so entertaining would not have occurred.
Overall, Servant is a minor character with a major impact in Twelfth Night. Their loyalty, reliability, and unwitting involvement in the mistaken identity subplot make them an essential part of the play's comedic charm.