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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. What is the setting of Act II Scene V?

2. Viola refers to her disguise as what in Act II Scene II?

3. What is the setting for Act I Scene V?

4. What is the setting of Act II Scene IV?

5. For whom is Olivia observing a period of mourning in Act I?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the character of Malvolio. What is Malvolio’s role in Olivia’s household? How does Olivia feel about him?

3. What do Orsino and Viola/Cesario discuss in Act II Scene IV?

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

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

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

7. Where is Viola when she is first introduced in Act I Scene II? What has just taken place?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identity in Twelfth Night

a. Discuss the theme of identity in the play. How is this theme illustrated through symbolism and imagery?

b. Compare Olivia and Viola in the play. How do these characters each use disguise to mask their true identity?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the characters of Orsino, Valentine, and Curio in the play. What power does Orsino have over Illyria? Who is Orsino’s love interest in the play? What are Orsino’s relationships like with Valentine and Curio?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Sir Toby Belch and Maria. What archetypical role does Sir Toby Belch represent in the play? What have critics and literary theorists commented about these “merrymakers” in the narrative? How does Maria feel about Sir Toby?

(see the answer keys)

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