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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When given money to sing a song for Sir Toby Belch, the jester asks if he would like a love-song or what in Act II Scene III?

2. Who governs the land where Viola arrives in Act I Scene II, according to the Captain?

3. Who sends Cesario to visit and woo Olivia for him in Act I Scene IV?

4. What “foolish knight” does Maria say Sir Toby Belch brought to woo Olivia in Act I Scene III?

5. What first two words of a Latin maxim meaning “to get up at dawn is very helpful” does Sir Toby Belch say in Act II Scene III?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Orsino’s feelings about music illustrated in Act I Scene I? How do these feelings change in the course of the scene?

2. What is an “aside”? Give an example of an aside in Act I.

3. What discovery does Viola/Cesario make when Malvolio catches up with her in Act II Scene II?

4. With whom is Orsino preoccupied in Act I Scene I? How does this preoccupation manifest in his character?

5. Where are Sebastian and Antonio when they are introduced in Act II Scene I? What are Sebastian’s circumstances in this scene?

6. How does Olivia feel about Orsino in Act I? How are these feelings illustrated?

7. How are Sir Toby Belch’s feelings for Maria illustrated in the play?

8. What is Malvolio’s response to the letter found in Act II?

9. Who originates the idea of the prank on Malvolio in Act II? Why?

10. How is Malvolio’s character perceived by Fabian, Sir Toby Belch, and Feste?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Viola’s plans in Illyria in Act I Scene II. Why does Viola choose to dress as a eunuch? Who agrees to help her in securing this disguise? What are Viola’s objectives at the opening of the play? How do these objectives change in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Friendship in Twelfth Night

a. Discuss the theme of friendship in the play. Through what characters does Shakespeare develop this theme? How is friendship defined in the play?

b. Compare and contrast friendship and romance in Twelfth Night. Which of these concepts is of the greatest importance to the main characters? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Feste the Clown in the play. What is Feste’s role in Olivia’s household? What does he represent symbolically in the play? How does Feste stand out amongst the other main characters?

(see the answer keys)

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