twelfth night essay questions and answers

• Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Play Summary
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act I: Scene 4
• Act I: Scene 5
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 4
• Act II: Scene 5
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 4
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Character Analysis
• Duke Orsino
• Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Maria
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes
• Major Symbols and Motifs
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Famous Quotes
• Film Versions
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Twelfth Night is based on a series of mistaken identities and disguises of one sort or another. Identify as many of the disguises as you can, and explain how each of them functions in the plot development.

2. Describe the nature and type of love to which Duke Orsino is an easy prey.

3. Why does Duke Orsino use Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia? Why doesn't he court her himself? Is it significant that Orsino and Olivia meet only once in the play and that this meeting is at the very end of the comedy? If so, why?

4. What qualities does Duke Orsino possess that allow Viola to fall in love with him?

5. Discuss Viola's use of her disguise.

6. Discuss the various changes that Lady Olivia undergoes during the course of the play. How can these changes be accounted for?

7. Relate the comic subplots dealing with Sir Andrew's and Malvolio's love for Lady Olivia to the main romantic plots.

8. How many separate plots are there? How can each be related to the other?

9. How does music function in this comedy?

10. How is Feste the Clown related to both the comic and the romantic plots?

Previous Film Versions

Next Cite this Literature Note

Twelfth Night

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A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Act Summaries & Analyses

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Music is present throughout Twelfth Night —the first line, after all, declares that “If music be the food of love, play on.” Examine how music is used throughout the play: What purpose does it serve? What does it add to the plot?

Twelfth Night centers on a blurred depiction of gender, as Viola disguises herself as a man. As head of her household, Olivia also takes on a traditionally male role. Look at how Shakespeare talks about and treats gender throughout the play. What ultimate message about gender and gender roles does he make?

Examine the character of Feste the Fool. What purpose do he and his witty exchanges serve in the play? What does his presence add to the plot?

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‘Twelfth Night’ – Questions and Answers (L.A.Q.), Class 11, WBCHSE

1)What information given by the captain consoled Viola? What plan did Viola think of to reach the Duke? How did the captain help her in this? [1+1+3 = 5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 =2017]

Ans. The captain informed Viola that he had seen Sebastian during the tempest. Sebastian had fastened himself to a strong mast and managed to remain above the water.

Viola thought she would serve Duke Orsino as a page in a man’s camouflage.

The captain helped Viola to settle down in a foreign country. He gave detailed information about Illyria and about Duke Orsino. He provided her suitable dress for disguising herself as a boy. Like a good friend, he helped Viola to present in the court in the disguise of a boy, Cesario.

2)Who was Olivia? What saddened her? Why did she not allow any visitors? [1+1+3 =5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 =2015, 2018]

Ans. Olivia was a virtuous lady, the daughter of a Count. She was loved by Orsino but she abjured the sight and company of men.

The death of Olivia’s father a year ago and shortly after her dear brother’s death saddened her.

Olivia lost her father a year ago. She was also left behind for the protection of her dear brother who also died shortly. She was so grief-stricken that she had decided to abjure the sight and company of men. That was why she did not allow any visitors.

3)Why did Duke Orsino send Viola to Orsino? What was Olivia’s reply? [2+3 = 5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 = 2014]

Ans. Duke Orsino had sent a gentleman to propose to Viola but he was not allowed to meet her. As Viola knew all the secrets of his heart, she could unfold the passion of his love properly. That was why Orsino sent Viola to Olivia.

After much persistence, Viola was allowed to meet with Olivia. Viola told Olivia how deeply Orsino loved her. He loved her with adoration and with tears and sighs of fire. Olivia acknowledged that Orsino was a virtuous, learned, courteous, valiant and spotless youth. Yet Olivia dismissed the appeal of Viola. She could not love him in this emotional condition. She pleaded to Viola to return to his master and asked him not to send anyone to her.

4) What did Viola say to Olivia about her parentage? What showed Olivia that Viola was a gentleman? Why did Olivia send a diamond ring to Cesario? [2+1+2 = 5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 = 2022]

Ans. Viola told Olivia that she was born into a noble family. Her status was higher than her present fortune and she was a gentleman.

Viola’s graceful appearance, her faithfulness to her master, her manliest air, and her boldness and courteous behaviour impressed Olivia as a gentleman.

Olivia had fallen in love with young Cesario. When Viola departed, Olivia sent a servant after him with a diamond ring that Cesario had left as a present from Orsino. By giving a present to Cesario, She wanted to give him some intimation of her feelings.

5)Discuss the first meeting of Olivia and Cesario. [5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 = 2019]

Ans. Orsino sent Cesario to propose his suit to Olivia. At first, Cesario was not allowed to meet Olivia. Finally, Olivia came to meet Cesario throwing the veil over her head. Viola in the guise of Cesario was very curious to see her rival’s beauty and asked to show her face. When Olivia was unveiled, she praised her beauty. Now she told the purpose of her arrival that Orsino Used to love her with adoration and with tears and with sighs of fire. Olivia accepted that Orsino had all the qualities of a suitor (like he was a learned, courteous, valiant and spotless youth). Yet she could not love him in this mental condition. She dismissed the appeal of Cesario and asked him to return. She also told Cesario to inform Orsino not to send anyone for this purpose. But Cesario could come if he wished to tell her the reaction of his master.

After Cesario’s departure, Olivia recalled their conversation and She wished Cesario to be the Duke. Actually, she had fallen in love with Cesario.

6)Who rescued Viola from the danger of fighting a duel? Why did he do so? [1+4 = 5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 =2020]

Ans. Antonio, the captain of a ship, rescued Viola from the danger of fighting a duel.

Antonio rescued Sebastian after a shipwreck and gradually became a friend of him. Sebastian wanted to visit the court of Orsino. When they landed in Illyria, Sebastian desired to see the town. So, Antonio had given him his purse to spend freely. When Sebastian did not return at the scheduled time, Antonio had ventured to look out for him and found Viola, the identical twin sister in the guise of a young man. Antonio mistakenly identified her to be Sebastian. When Antonio saw a gentleman advancing toward Sebastian with the open sword, he challenged and drew out his sword to save his friend.

7)How was the confusion of mistaken identity overcome in ‘Twelfth Night’. [5] [Annual Exam. Class 11 = 2016]

Ans. To save herself in a foreign land, Viola disguised herself as her identical twin brother Sebastian. And it leads a great confusion. Antonio mistook Viola his friend and tried to rescue him and got arrested. Viola denied any purse she had taken from the stranger Antonio. Olivia mistook Sebastian for a page of Orsino and married him. All the confusion of mistaken identity was overcome when Orsino with Viola came to visit Olivia. They came across captive Antonio who charged Viola with words of ingratitude. But the Duke did not believe all this stuff as Cesario had been serving him for months. When Viola came out and accepted Cesario as her husband, Orsino threatened his page with instant death for his ingratitude. When the real Cesario appeared and declared Olivia as his wife, everyone looked in amazement at the two identical twins. Viola disclosed her real identity. The brother and sister reunited. Orsino resolved to make Viola his wife. Thus the confusion was overcome.

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Twelfth Night

By william shakespeare, twelfth night quiz 1.

• 1 Orsino is Duke, or Count, of: Venetia Messaline Illyria Elysium
• 2 Viola is saved from the wreck by: a sailor Antonio a sea captain one of Orsino's men
• 3 Apart from her brother, who in Olivia's family has just died? her mother her sister her father her husband
• 4 Viola sympathizes with Olivia even before they meet because: Olivia just lost her brother Olivia also lost her father Olivia does not want to marry Olivia is proud and independent
• 5 Sir Toby, Olivia's uncle, has the surname: Aguecheek Snort Snore Belch
• 6 Which of these is NOT the name of one of Orsino's servants? Curio Cesario Fabian Valentine
• 7 When Viola will not take the ring from Malvolio, Malvolio: forces Viola to take the ring keeps the ring throws the ring on the ground takes the ring back to Olivia
• 8 Viola tries to convince Orsino that women can feel love by: Telling him of her "sister"'s love Debating the point with him Showing him that Olivia can feel love Telling him of her own experience
• 9 How long does Olivia pledge to mourn her dead brother? three years five years seven years one year
• 10 In Act II, Orsino compares women, somewhat unfavorably, to: roses vines birds falling leaves
• 11 Which character is NOT involved in baiting Malvolio with the letter? Feste Fabian Sir Andrew Sir Toby
• 12 In Act III, Viola says that Feste is: a "foolish wit" a "tinker" a "wise fool" a "rogue"
• 13 Which of these characters does NOT love Olivia? Sir Andrew Orsino Fabian Malvolio
• 14 Antonio is wanted in Illyria because of: "piracy"-like activities dueling with Orsino theft murdering Orsino's cousin in battle
• 15 What color, also the color of Malvolio's stockings, does Olivia abhor? green blue red yellow
• 16 Sir Andrew challenges Viola to a duel as: revenge for an insult an attempt to win Olivia proof that he is not a coward a response to a dare
• 17 Sebastian and Viola are from: Genoa Messaline Illyria Ephesus
• 18 Who stops the duel between Sir Andrew and Viola? Antonio Sir Toby Sir Andrew himself Olivia
• 19 At what point does Viola know that her brother is alive? when Sir Toby falsely claims that she beat him when Antonio mistakes her for him when she finally sees him when the Captain tells her of seeing him
• 20 Within the play, Feste pretends to be a: teacher steward curate lawyer
• 21 Which of these things does Malvolio ask for when he is imprisoned? food and water air mercy pen and ink
• 22 In Act V, how long does Antonio claim Sebastian has been with him? three years three months three days three weeks
• 23 Which of these things is Viola NOT accused of in Act V? marrying Lady Olivia beating Sir Toby and Sir Andrew angering Orsino getting Antonio arrested
• 24 The chorus of the ending song that Feste sings is: "youth's a stuff will not endure" "farewell dear heart, since I needs be gone" "the rain it raineth every day" "a thousand, thousand sighs to save"
• 25 Feste calls Olivia a fool because: She doesn't want to have children, and pass on her beauty She wants to mourn her brother for a long time She will not accept Orsino She mourns her brother, when he's in heaven

Twelfth Night Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Twelfth Night is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Question In Twelfth Night, which event is part of the resolution? Responses Malvolio receives a love letter. Malvolio receives a love letter. Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked. Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked. Viola, disguised as Cesario, meets O

• Sir Toby and Maria are married.

Discuss Viola's use of her disguise in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

After the shipwreck, Viola resolves to make the best of her situation and be taken into Orsino's service. As a young eunuch named Cesario, she will be safe from male attentions. Viola is quickly taken into Orsino's confidence, and he tells her all...

How do valentines entrance and message affects the plot?

Orsino's servant Valentine, whom Orsino sent to give his affections to Olivia, returns; Valentine was not allowed to speak directly to Olivia, but Olivia sent a message, via her handmaiden, that Olivia will continue to mourn her dead brother, and...

Study Guide for Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Twelfth Night
• Twelfth Night Summary
• Twelfth Night Video
• Character List

Essays for Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Twelfth Night.

• The Role of the Fool: Feste's Significance
• The Fool as a Playwright in Twelfth Night
• It is Theater
• To Believe, or Not To Believe
• The Function of Plot Divisions in Twelfth Night and in Doctor Faustus

Lesson Plan for Twelfth Night

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Twelfth Night
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Twelfth Night Bibliography

E-Text of Twelfth Night

The Twelfth Night e-text contains the full text of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Twelfth Night

• Introduction