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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 French term does Sir Andrew Aguecheek not understand when speaking with Sir Toby Belch in Act I Scene III?

2. The Captain tells Viola in Act I Scene II, “When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes” what?

3. By what name does the court jester refer to Olivia in Act I Scene V?

4. When the jester enters in Act II Scene III Sir Andrew Aguecheek speaks of his discussion of whom from the night before?

5. Maria tells Sir Toby Belch that his “quaffing” and what will undo him in Act I Scene III?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What incident leads the merrymakers in the play to plot revenge on Malvolio in Act II Scene III?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss Viola’s reaction upon being brought the ring by Malvolio in Act II Scene II. What does the ring signify to Viola? What does it signify to Olivia? How does Viola feel about the confusion caused by her disguise?

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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