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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. Viola solicits the Captain to help her disguise herself as what in Act I Scene II?

2. Where does Viola say her brother is in Act I Scene II?

3. 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?

4. Who asks Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew in Act II Scene III, “Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you?”

5. The Captain compares Viola’s brother to whom “on the dolphin’s back” in Act I Scene II?

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

3. What message and memento does Olivia give to Viola/Cesario at her departure in Act I Scene V?

4. What disguised identity does Viola take on in Act I? What is her appearance like in this disguise?

5. What is indicated by Orsino’s use of language in the play?

6. Describe Viola in the play. Where is she from? What concerns her when she is introduced in Act I Scene II?

7. How does Olivia receive Viola/Cesario when she arrives at Olivia’s house in Act I Scene V?

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

9. What is Orsino’s station in Illyria? What news does he receive in the beginning of Act I Scene I?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the philosophies on love and life discussed between Viola/Cesario and Orsino in Act II Scene IV. How do their philosophies differ? Do you believe these differences are based upon gender? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of Twelfth Night. How many acts compose the play’s structure? What is the history of this dramatic structure?

b. How does Twelfth Night compare with other plays written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Shakespeare’s writing?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Sebastian and Viola in the play. What similarities do these siblings share? What differences? How do the twins feel about one another? How are they perceived by other characters in the play?

(see the answer keys)

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