Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - · PDF fileTwelfth Night by William Shakespeare ......

1

Name: __________________________( /10)

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Character Matching

Characters

Description

1. _________ Viola

2. _________ Cesario

3. _________ Sebastian

4. _________ Olivia

5. _________ Antonio

6. _________ Orsino

7. _________ Sir Toby Belch

8. _________ Fabian

9. _________ Maria

10. _________ Puck

11. _________ Malvolio

12. _________ Sir Andrew

a) Countess Olivia’s servant

b) Countess Olivia’s jester

c) The Duke of Illyria

d) A Countess in mourning

e) Olivia’s miserable steward

f) Sir Toby’s cowardly friend

g) Olivia’s maid

h) Olivia’s drunk relative

i) A sea captain

j) Viola’s twin brother

k) The protagonist

l) The name Olivia takes when

pretending to be a man.

2

Name: __________________________


Act 1/ Scene 1

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot

At the opening of the scene, _________________

_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.

At the end of the scene _____________________

________________________________________.

Evaluate

This scene is important to the story because _______

___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

3

Name: __________________________

12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Scene 1 Questions:

1. In what sense is Orsino “in love with falling in love?” Why might someone enjoy the

feelings associated with falling in love?

2. Have you ever “fallen” for someone? If so, what did it feel like? Would your feelings be

similar to or different from Orsino’s feelings?

3. For Orsino, in what ways is love like music? Do you think music is a good simile or

metaphor for describing the feeling of falling in love?

4. How does Orsino respond to Valentine’s news?

4

5. If you were a good friend of Orsino’s, what advice would you give him at this point?

6. Shakespeare uses both prose (narrative, story-telling) and poetry (using words to evoke

feelings and pictures). Find one example of a line that is poetic. Why do you think that it

is poetic?

5

Name: __________________________


Act 1/ Scene 2

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

6

Name: __________________________


Scene 2 Questions:

1. Describe Viola.

2. Change the following lines to your own words:

My brother he is in Elysium.

Perchance he is not drown’d: what think you, sailors? (lines 4-5)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

In your opinion, is Viola still hopeful about finding her brother, or is she in despair?

Why?

3. What important details does Viola learn about Illyria, Orsino, and Olivia?

4. Why does Viola feel sympathetic towards Olivia when she learns that Olivia has also lost

her brother?

7

5. Why does Olivia decide to offer her services to the Duke Orsino?

6. Why does she decide to disguise herself as a boy?

7. Predict what might happen if she encounters her lost brother while still disguised as a man.

8. Give an example of another story or film that you know of where the protagonist had to

dress up as the opposite sex. Why did they make that decision?

9. How is the mood in Scene 2 different from the mood in Scene 1?

8

Name: ____________________________

English 9 – 12th Night

Act 1 Scene 3

1. Describe each of the following characters, and what they do or say in this scene:

Character Describe them… What do they do or say? (use your own words)

Sir Toby

Maria

Andrew Aguecheek

2. In your own words, summarize what happens in Act 1 Scene 3

9

3. Give one example of alliteration from this scene (repetition of consonant sounds)

4. Define each of the following words and give an example:

Shrew – __________________________________________________________

Accost – __________________________________________________________

Revel – __________________________________________________________

Caper – __________________________________________________________

10

Name: ____________________________


Act 1 Scene 4

1. In your own words, summarize what happens in Act 1 Scene 4.

2. Who is Cesario, really?

3. What clue suggests that Orsino trusts Cesario?

4. How does Orsino describe Cesario/ Viola in this scene? Why is it funny that he would

describe Cesario in this way?

5. What clue suggests that Cesario/ Viola has developed romantic feelings for Orsino?

11

Name: ____________________________


Act 1 Scene 5

1. In your own words, summarize what happens in Act 1 Scene 5.

2. Fill in the table below:

Character Describe them… What do they do or say? (use your own words)

Cesario/ Viola

Olivia

Malvolio

3. Why do you think that Olivia sends her ring to Viola?

4. Shakespeare adds a complication to the plot during this scene. How do Olivia’s

romantic feelings for Cesario make the story more complicated? Explain.

12

Name: __________________________


Act 1 Review:

1. Most or all of the major characters are generally introduced within Act 1. Describe each

of these and their “role” or “job” in the play:

Major Character

Title, Role, Actions, and Importance to the story

Orsino

Viola/ Cesario

Sir Toby

Sir Andrew

Maria

Olivia

Viola’s Brother?

2. Use examples to discuss how each of the following themes are explored in the Act 1:

13

Theme

Example The message that I see is that...

Falling in Love

Music

The Wise Fool

Appearances Can Be

Deceptive

Gender confusion

3. Put each of the following quotes into your own words:

Orsino -- “So full of shapes is fancy, that it alone is high fantastical” (lines 14-15, Scene 1)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Sir Toby -- “What a plague means my niece to take the death of her brother thus? I am sure care’s

an enemy to life.” (lines 1-2, Scene 3)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Olivia -- “O you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite” (lines 89-90,

Scene 5)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

14

Name: __________________________


Act 2/ Scene 1

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

15

Name: __________________________


Act 2, Scene 1:

1. Who do we meet in this scene?

2. What do we learn about Sebastian’s appearance?

3. While we know that Viola is alive, Sebastian clearly does not. What kind of literary device

is this?

4. Put the following quotes into your own words:

Sebastian -- “A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, and yet of many

accounted beautiful.” (lines 24-25)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

16

Antonio – “But come what may, I do adore thee so That danger shall seem sport, and I

will go.” (lines 46-47)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Make a prediction: Sebastian and Viola look very similar (they are in fact twins). What

complications might happen later in the play because of this factor?

6. What evidence suggests that Antonio is a loyal friend?

17

Name: __________________________


Act 2/ Scene 2

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

18

Name: __________________________


Act 2, Scene 2:

1. Describe what happens in this scene:

First of all,

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Next,

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

After that,

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

At the end of the scene,

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe Malvolio’s actions towards Viola/ Cesario. Why do you think that he treats him/

her this way?

19

3. Viola realizes that she is now part of a hopeless love triangle. What is a love triangle, and

which three characters are entwined in this?

4. Orsino’s love for Olivia is unrequited, as is Olivia’s love for Cesario. What does the

word “unrequited” mean?

5. What might is feel like to love someone who does not love you in return? Use one or two

similes to help describe what that might feel like.

6. Put the following lines into your own words:

Viola – “How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly; And I, poor monster, fond

as much on him; And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.” (Lines 32-34)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

20

Name: __________________________


Act 2/ Scene 3

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

21

Name: __________________________


Act 2, Scene 3:

Themes

Give one example from this scene where this theme is explored.

Pleasure

Deception

Austerity

1. How would you describe Sir Toby’s and Sir Andrew’s philosophy of life? What is

important to them?

2. Feste, Sir Andrew, and Sir Toby have been referred to as the “three revellers.” A reveller

is someone like a __________________, and a revelry is ___________________.

3. Why does Maria come to warn the three revellers to be quiet?

4. Summarize, in your own words, what Malvolio says to them.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

22

5. Google the word “Puritan.” (line 132). What was a Puritan, and why does Maria call

Malvolio by this name?

6. An “epistle” (line 146) is another word for “letter.” Explain Maria’s plot to discredit and

embarrass Malvolio.

7. What is your opinion of Malvolio? Do you think that he deserves what Maria and the

three revellers plan for him? Explain.


a) Feste – “Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty, Youth’s a stuff will not endure.” (Lines

49-50)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

b) Maria – “I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love,” (line 48)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

c) Malvolio – “Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this

time of night?”(lines 82-84)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

23

Name: __________________________


Act 2/ Scene 4

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

24

Name: __________________________


Act 2, Scene 4:

1. Why does Orsino believe that men should court and marry younger women?

2. What does Orsino believe about the character of men? Do you agree with this opinion?

Why or why not?

3. Viola/ Cesario gives away her feelings when she tells Orsino about her (imaginary) sister,

whose love is unrequited. What is she actually saying?

4. Summarize the message (lines 81-87) that Orsino wants Viola/ Cesario to bring to Olivia.

25

5. How might Viola be feeling throughout this scene? How would you feel if you were

asked by someone whom you loved to bring a message of love to someone else?


a) Orsino – “Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm, More longing, wavering, sooner lost

and worn Than women’s are.” (Lines 33-35)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

b) Maria – “She sat like Patience on a monument, Smiling at grief.” (lines 115-116)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

26

Name: __________________________


Act 2/ Scene 5

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

27

Name: __________________________


Act 2, Scene 5:

Themes

Give one example from this scene where this theme is explored.

Class

Hierarchy

Egotism

Revenge

1. With a partner, discuss some pranks that you have witnesses either in your own life or in a story

or on TV. What motivates person A to “prank” person B?

2. Explain how the prank works, and how it makes a fool out of Malvolio.

3. Explain how Malvolio becomes convinced that Olivia is in love with him.

28

4. If Maria were to prank and humiliate Malvolio in our day and our society, what might she

convince him to do or to wear? Why might this humiliate him or make him ridiculous?

5. As Malvolio speaks his thoughts aloud, he says things that make Sir Toby very angry. What

does he say that an Elizabethan audience would find so wrong or inappropriate?

6. Shakespeare wants the audience to enjoy the prank as much as Maria, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew

seem to enjoy it. What does he reveal about Malvolio’s character that helps us feel justified in

enjoying Malvolio’s impending humiliation?

7. In your opinion, is the prank in good taste, or is it too spiteful or vindictive? Explain.

8. Make a prediction: what will happen next? Why?

29

Name: __________________________


Act 3/ Scene 1

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

30

Name: __________________________


Act 3 Scene 1

1. Skim through the scene, then summarize what happens.

Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.

First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. Sir Andrew is impressed with Viola/ Cesario in this scene. Explain why.

3. Describe how Olivia reveals her true feelings for Viola/ Cesario.

4. How does Viola/ Cesario respond to Olivia?

Key Speeches My Translation

Viola – This fellow is wise enough to play the

fool. (line 59)

Olivia – I love thee so that, maugre all thy

pride, Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide.

(Lines 150-151)

31

Name: __________________________


Act 3/ Scene 2

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

32

Name: __________________________


Act 3 Scene 2

1. Skim through the scene and summarize below what happens.


First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. Sir Andrew feels like giving up on his chances of wooing Olivia. Explain why.

3. Why do Fabian and Sir Toby convince him to challenge Cesario/ Viola to a duel?

4. What do you know about duels? Why did people fight duels?

Key Speech My Translation

Sir Andrew – Marry, I saw your niece do more

favours to the Count’s serving man than ever

she bestowed on me.

(lines 4-6)

33

Name: __________________________


Act 3/ Scene 3

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

34

Name: __________________________


Act 3 Scene 3



First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. How does Antonio prove that he is a good and trusting friend to Sebastian?

3. Why can’t Antonio accompany Sebastian on a sight-seeing tour of the city?

4. Predict what might happen to Antonio’s purse.


Sebastian – I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes

With the memorials and the things of fame

That do renown this city. (lines 22-24)

Antonio – Would you’d pardon me:

I do not without danger walk these streets.

(Lines 24-25)

35

Name: __________________________


Act 3/ Scene 4

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

36

Name: __________________________


Act 3 Scene 4



First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. Explain how things go terribly wrong for Malvolio in this scene. Why does Olivia think

him mad?

3. Sir Toby reveals his nasty side when he contemplates further humiliation for the shamed

Malvolio. What scheme does he consider?

4. Sir Toby decides to deliver Sir Andrew’s letter to Cesario/ Viola. Why do you think that

he does this for Sir Toby?

5. Why does Sir Toby seek to frighten both Sir Andrew and Viola/ Cesario?

37

6. What evidence suggests that Sir Andrew is not a brave knight?

7. Antonio’s arrival at the scene of the duel injects dramatic irony into the scene. (Dramatic

Irony is where the audience knows something that the actors do not). Explain why.


Malvolio – Go hang yourselves all. You are

idle, shallow things; I am not of your element.

(lines 121-122)

Sir Toby – Come, we’ll have him in a dark

room and bound. (line 133)

Sir Toby – This will so fright them both that

they will kill one another by the look, like

cockatrices. (lines 191-192)

Viola – I am one that had rather go with Sir

Priest than Sir Knight: (Lines 268-269)

Antonio – Will you deny me now? Is’t possible

that my deserts to you Can lack persuasion?

(Lines 345-347)

Viola – He nam’d Sebastian...O if it prove,

Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in

love! (Lines 378-383)

38

Name: __________________________


Act 4/ Scene 1

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

39

Name: __________________________


Act 4 Scene 1

1. There are four instances of mistaken identity in this scene. Describe them, in order.

2. What makes this scene funny?

3. If you were a costume designer for 12th Night, how would you dress the twins so that they

were distinguishable from each other?

4. Describe how Olivia resolves the growing conflict in this scene.


Sebastian – Let fancy still my sense in Lethe

steep; If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep.

(lines 61-61)

40

Name: __________________________


Act 4/ Scene 2

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

41

Name: __________________________


Act 4 Scene 2



First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. Why is Malvolio imprisoned? In your opinion, has the joke against him gone too far?

Explain.

3. What do you think that Malvolio will write in his letter to Olivia? Why?


Feste – Madman, thou errest. I say there is no

darkness but ignorance (lines 42-43)

Sir Toby – I would we were well rid of this

knavery. (lines 66-67)

42

Name: __________________________


Act 4/ Scene 3

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

43

Name: __________________________


Act 4 Scene 3



First, __________________________________________________________________.

Next, __________________________________________________________________.

Finally, ________________________________________________________________.

2. Why didn’t Antonio meet Sebastian at the Elephant?

3. Explain why Sebastian is so bewildered by Olivia’s declarations of love.

4. If you were Sebastian, would you agree to Olivia’s marriage proposal? Explain.

5. Why do you think that Olivia is so eager to rush into marriage with Sebastian?


Olivia – Plight me the full assurance of your

faith, That my most jealous and too doubtful

soul May live at peace. (lines 26-28)

44

Name: __________________________


Act 5/ Scene 1

Setting When?

Where?

Characters

Plot


_______________________________________.

After this, _______________________________

_______________________________________.

Then ___________________________________

_______________________________________.

Next, ___________________________________

________________________________________.


________________________________________.

Evaluate


___________________________________________

__________________________________________.

45

Name: __________________________


Act 5 Scene 1

1. The final scene of the play would be utterly confusing for all the character in the play.

Lay out each part of the scene and explain what each character thinks is happening and

what has really happened.

What actually happens in the

scene

What each character thinks has just

happened.

Explain why mistaken identity

has lead to this confusion...

First of all, Antonio is brought

before the Duke. Orsino demands

an explanation of why his enemy

Antonio has returned to Illyria.

Antonio explains that he came out

of love for Sebastian, but, seeing

Viola/ Cesario, complains bitterly

that Sebastian has abandoned and

mistreated him.

Antonio thinks that _____________

_____________________________,

because _______________________

______________________________

Antonio’s is mistaken about

Sebastian because ___________

__________________________

__________________________

Second, ____________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________.

Olivia thinks that Viola has broken

her marriage vows because Viola __

_____________________________

_____________________________.

Olivia hasn’t realized that ___

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________.

Third, ______________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Sir Andrew and Sir Toby believe that

they were wounded by Viola/

Cesario, because ______________

_____________________________.

They don’t realize that ______

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________.

46

Name: _______________________

English 9 – 12th Night Plot Review

Part 1 – Create a plot diagram below, including at least 5 specific events from the story.

Include Exposition, Conflict Begins, Rising Action, Climax, and Resolution ( /10)

47

Part 3 – Summarize the Story in One Paragraph

12th Night, the famous comedy by William Shakespeare is a story of _____________________,

and ______________________. At the start of the play, we are introduced to

__________________________, who ____________________________. Next, we meet Viola,

who _____________________________________________________________________.

Viola _______________________________________________________________________.

After ___________________________________, she _________________________________.

However, ____________________________________________________________________.

Shakespeare also introduces comedy into the play through the three revellers, ______________,

____________________, and ________________________. These three prank

_______________________________________________________________________. Later,

unbeknownst to Viola, we learn that her brother, Sebastian _____________________________.

Sebastian and his friend _________________________________________________________.

The subsequent encounters between the identical twins, Viola/ Cesario and Sebastian, and the

inhabitants of Illyria leads to a series of humorous mistakes of identity. For example, the

Countess Olivia ______________________________________________________________.

Likewise, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby ______________________________________________,

and Antonio _________________________________________________________________.

Ultimately, however, the true identities of the twins are revealed, and the confusion is resolved.

The tale ends with _____________________________________________________________.

12th Night is a comedy of errors which touches on themes of _____________ and ___________.

48

Name: __________________________( /10)


Play Summary:

Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, is a play about

____________ and _______________. It takes place in an

imaginary ________________________________________.

It concerns ________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

The conflicts are resolved when _______________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

In the final act of the play, ____________________________

__________________________________________________.

Thus, the readers is left with the impression that ___________

__________________________________________________.

49

Name: ______________________________

English 9 – 12th Night/ Punctuation Practice

Part 1: Add Punctuation

1. Read through the short essay below.

2. Much of the punctuation has been removed.

3. Please add commas, periods, capital letters, brackets, colons, or semi-colons in the places

where you think that they are needed.

4. Discuss your corrections with a partner.

5. Listen to the teacher read this essay aloud. You should be able to hear the punctuation.

The Follies of Romantic Love in Shakespeare’s 12th Night

12th Night is a farcical comedy set in the imaginary realm of Illyria it concerns the story

of two high born siblings Viola and Sebastian who are shipwrecked off Illyria’s coast each of

them unaware that the other lives seek their fortunes in the city of Duke Orsino on their way

they both find love in the most unlikely of places and discover that romantic infatuation can set

off a most ridiculous and unexpected series of events.

The audience is introduced first to Duke Orsino a man who is hopelessly infatuated with

the Countess Olivia Orsino employs Viola who is disguised as a servant boy called Cesario to

woo the countess on his behalf the Duke is besotted with the Countess and with remarkable self-

conceit refuses to entertain the possibility that she will not return his love thus when Countess

Olivia repeatedly rejects his advances he does not give up here then, is a character who has

everything but who is completely obsessed to the point of misery with the one thing that he

cannot have namely Olivia’s love love has indeed made him a fool.

50

However Shakespeare’s exploration of the follies of romantic love does not end with the

Duke the Countess Olivia becomes enamoured with the Duke’s servant-boy Cesario Viola in

disguise and proposes marriage to him instead to Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience the very

idea of a high-born countess proposing marriage to a lowly servant boy was laughable to add

further complication of course is that fact that Cesario is in fact the lady Viola rather than

return the love of the Countess Viola falls for the very man that Countess Olivia has

ignored...the Duke thus Shakespeare creates a love triangle between the Duke the Countess and

Viola/ Cesario each of them loves the wrong person none of them are able to satisfy the desires

of the hearts and all three are quite miserably heart-sick as a result.

Yet perhaps the most memorable fool in love that the play brings us is the character of

Malvolio this rather nasty yet unfortunate fellow is fooled into believing that the Countess a

beautiful young aristocrat might love him a low-born old and ugly steward Malvolio is of

course delusional yet in order to woo his supposed beloved he is prepared to make himself

ridiculous by dressing in yellow stockings and crossing his garters the end result for

Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience is hysterical laughter at Malvolio’s expense however, the

point that Shakespeare is making is the same regardless of whether we are old or young rich or

poor wise or unlearned romantic love can truly make fools of us all.

51

Part 2: Identify the Main Idea of Each Paragraph

Read through each portion of the short essay and summarize (in one sentence or less) the main idea of each

section.


Main Ideas Paragraph Section

This opening paragraph

introduces the

______________, a few

major characters, and the

theme in question, which

is ___________________.

12th Night is a farcical comedy set in the imaginary realm of Illyria. It concerns

the story of two high born siblings, Viola and Sebastian, who are shipwrecked off

Illyria’s coast. Each of them, unaware that the other lives, seek their fortunes in

Illyria. On their way, they both find love in the most unlikely of places, and

discover that romantic infatuation can set off a most ridiculous and unexpected

series of events.

The audience is introduced first to Duke Orsino, a man who is hopelessly

infatuated with the Countess Olivia. Orsino employs Viola, who is disguised as a

servant boy called Cesario, to woo the countess on his behalf. The Duke is

besotted with the Countess, and, with remarkable self-conceit, refuses to entertain

the possibility that she will not return his love. Thus, when Countess Olivia

repeatedly rejects his advances, he does not give up. Here then, is a character

who has everything, but who is completely obsessed, to the point of misery, with

the one thing that he cannot have (namely, Olivia’s love). Love has indeed made

him a fool.

However, Shakespeare’s exploration of the follies of romantic love does not end

with the Duke. The Countess Olivia, becomes enamoured with the Duke’s servant-

boy, Cesario (Viola in disguise), and proposes marriage to him instead. To

Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience, the very idea of a high-born countess

proposing marriage to a lowly servant boy was laughable. To add further

complication, of course, is that fact that Cesario is, in fact, the lady Viola. Rather

than return the love of the Countess, Viola falls for the very man that Countess

Olivia has ignored...the Duke. Thus, Shakespeare creates a love triangle between

the Duke, the Countess, and Viola/ Cesario. Each of them loves the wrong person,

none of them are able to satisfy the desires of the hearts, and all three are quite

miserably heart-sick as a result.

Yet perhaps the most memorable fool in love that the play brings us is the

character of Malvolio. This rather nasty, yet unfortunate fellow is fooled into

believing that the Countess, a beautiful young aristocrat, might love him, a low-

born, old, and ugly steward. Malvolio is, of course, delusional. Yet, in order to

woo his supposed beloved, he is prepared to make himself ridiculous by dressing

in yellow stockings and crossing his garters. The end result, for Shakespeare’s

Elizabethan audience, is hysterical laughter at Malvolio’s expense. However, the

point that Shakespeare is making is the same; regardless of whether we are old or

young, rich or poor, wise or unlearned, romantic love can truly make fools of us

all.

52


(Key)

12th Night is a farcical comedy set in the imaginary realm of Illyria. It concerns the story of two

high born siblings, Viola and Sebastian, who are shipwrecked off Illyria’s coast. Each of them,

unaware that the other lives, seek their fortunes in Illyria. On their way, they both find love in

the most unlikely of places, and discover that romantic infatuation can set off a most ridiculous

and unexpected series of events.

The audience is introduced first to Duke Orsino, a man who is hopelessly infatuated with the

Countess Olivia. Orsino employs Viola, who is disguised as a servant boy called Cesario, to

woo the countess on his behalf. The Duke is besotted with the Countess, and, with remarkable

self-conceit, refuses to entertain the possibility that she will not return his love. Thus, when

Countess Olivia repeatedly rejects his advances, he does not give up. Here then, is a character

who has everything, but who is completely obsessed, to the point of misery, with the one thing

that he cannot have (namely, Olivia’s love). Love has indeed made him a fool.

However, Shakespeare’s exploration of the follies of romantic love does not end with the Duke.

The Countess Olivia, becomes enamoured with the Duke’s servant-boy, Cesario (Viola in

disguise), and proposes marriage to him instead. To Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience, the

very idea of a high-born countess proposing marriage to a lowly servant boy was laughable. To

add further complication, of course, is that fact that Cesario is, in fact, the lady Viola. Rather

than return the love of the Countess, Viola falls for the very man that Countess Olivia has

ignored...the Duke. Thus, Shakespeare creates a love triangle between the Duke, the Countess,

and Viola/ Cesario. Each of them loves the wrong person, none of them are able to satisfy the

desires of the hearts, and all three are quite miserably heart-sick as a result.

Yet perhaps the most memorable fool in love that the play brings us is the character of Malvolio.

This rather nasty, yet unfortunate fellow is fooled into believing that the Countess, a beautiful

young aristocrat, might love him, a low-born, old, and ugly steward. Malvolio is, of course,

delusional. Yet, in order to woo his supposed beloved, he is prepared to make himself

ridiculous by dressing in yellow stockings and crossing his garters. The end result, for

Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience, is hysterical laughter at Malvolio’s expense. However, the

point that Shakespeare is making is the same; regardless of whether we are old or young, rich or

poor, wise or unlearned, romantic love can truly make fools of us all.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - · PDF fileTwelfth Night by William Shakespeare ......

Documents

Transcript of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - · PDF fileTwelfth Night by William Shakespeare ......