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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. Olivia’s court jester states in Act I Scene V, “Many a good hanging prevents” what?

2. Sir Toby Belch sings of the twelfth day of what month in Act II Scene III?

3. Sir Toby Belch claims that Olivia is what when speaking with Maria in Act II Scene III?

4. When the jester enters in Act II Scene III Sir Andrew Aguecheek speaks of his discussion of whom “passing the equinoctial of Queubus”?

5. In what country has Viola arrived in Act I Scene II?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have Viola’s situation and circumstances changed when she reappears in Act I Scene IV?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Describe the character of Sebastian. Who is Sebastian’s sister? How frequently does Sebastian appear in the play?

9. Describe Antonio’s relationship with Sebastian. How is this relationship illustrated in Act II?

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 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 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

Define conflict in drama and literature and analyze the conflicts presented in the first two acts of Twelfth Night. What initial conflict does Viola face? How does this conflict complicate itself? How does Viola hope to overcome the conflict she faces?

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