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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 character speaks the following line in Act IV Scene I: “What relish is in this? how runs the stream? Or I am mad, or else this is a dream”?

2. What do the stage directions describe as the setting for Act III Scene III?

3. Who enters with Olivia in Act IV Scene III?

4. What does Feste call Malvolio “by the most modest terms” in Act IV Scene II?

5. Feste claims he is not tall enough to do what in Act IV Scene II?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Malvolio’s treatment in Act IV is justified? Why or why not?

2. What character flaw might be blamed for Malvolio’s circumstances in Act IV?

3. Describe the character of Feste in the play. What is Feste’s role in Olivia’s household?

4. How does the character of Feste contribute to the tone of Twelfth Night? What is the significance of Feste’s name?

5. What do Sir Toby Belch and Fabian convince Sir Andrew Aguecheek to do in Act III Scene II? Who interrupts them?

6. How is Viola/Cesario saved from the duel in Act III Scene IV?

7. How does Feste illustrate the theme of disguise in Act IV Scene II?

8. What is humiliating about Malvolio’s situation in Act IV Scene II?

9. What conclusion does Antonio reach regarding his dear friend in Act III Scene IV?

10. How might Malvolio’s treatment in Act IV be perceived differently when viewing the play as opposed to reading it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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