Sea Captain

The nameless Sea Captain rescued Viola from drowning, informs her about the state of affairs in Illyria, and assists her in disguising herself as Cesario. Like other relatively minor characters Curio and Valentine, his primary purposes are to provide the audience with relevant exposition and an illumination of a major character (Viola) via an interaction, and to enable the continuation of the plot. His education, evident in his speaking in verse, associates Viola with learned individuals, and his assumption of the lower status in the relationship by seeking to please her, accepting her gold, and answering her questions serves to boost hers.