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

William shakespeare, everything you need for every book you read..

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Twelfth Night: Introduction

Twelfth night: plot summary, twelfth night: detailed summary & analysis, twelfth night: themes, twelfth night: quotes, twelfth night: characters, twelfth night: symbols, twelfth night: literary devices, twelfth night: quizzes, twelfth night: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Other Books Related to Twelfth Night

• Full Title: Twelfth Night, or What You Will
• When Written: c. 1601
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1623
• Literary Period: The Renaissance
• Genre: Comedy
• Setting: Illyria (an ancient area on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, between contemporary Croatia, Albania, and Montenegro)
• Climax: The weddings of Viola and Orsino, and Sebastian and Olivia

Extra Credit for Twelfth Night

What a drag! Twelfth Night is sometimes called a "transvestite comedy" for the obvious reason that its central character is a young woman, Viola, who disguises herself as a pageboy, Cesario. In Shakespeare's time, Viola's part, like all the parts in Twelfth Night , would have been played by a man, because women were not allowed to act. So, originally, "Cesario" would probably have been a boy, dressed up as a woman, dressed up as a man.

Feast of Misrule: Twelfth Night takes its name from an English holiday celebrated on January 5, the so-called "twelfth night of Christmas" or the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. In Renaissance England, Twelfth Night was known as a "feast of misrule." For the day, kings and nobles were to be treated as peasants, and peasants as kings and nobles. At the center of the Twelfth Night feast was a large cake with a bean or coin baked into it and served to the assembled company; the person whose slice of cake contained it became King Bean, the Christmas King, or Lord of Misrule—a commoner who would take the place of a king in order to watch over the topsy-turvy proceedings.

Two titles. Twelfth Night is the only play of Shakespeare's with an alternate name: its full title is Twelfth Night, or What You Will . The second title references the holiday season of ritualized disorder and revelry, where you can act out all your fantasies.

• Arts & Humanities
• Shakespeare

Twelfth Night essay topics

Related documents

Add this document to collection(s)

You can add this document to your study collection(s)

Add this document to saved

You can add this document to your saved list

Suggest us how to improve StudyLib

(For complaints, use another form )

Input it if you want to receive answer

‘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.

Read more about : ‘Twelfth Night’ – Questions and Answers (S.A.Q.) , Class 11, WBCHSE

1 thought on “‘Twelfth Night’ – Questions and Answers (L.A.Q.), Class 11, WBCHSE”

Very helpful for our exams

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Twelfth Night

By william shakespeare, twelfth night quiz 1.

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

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