View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What dog breed does Sir Toby Belch tell Sir Andrew that Maria is in Act II Scene III?

2. By what name does the court jester refer to Olivia in Act I Scene V?

3. Malvolio hands Cesario what object in Act II Scene II?

4. What is the setting of Act II Scene V?

5. What does the jester say “are no bottle-ale houses” in Act II Scene III?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the character of Maria. What is Maria’s role in Olivia’s household?

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

4. Who originates the idea of the prank on Malvolio in Act II? Why?

5. Where are Sebastian and Antonio when they are introduced in Act II Scene I? What are Sebastian’s circumstances in this scene?

6. What discovery does Viola/Cesario make when Malvolio catches up with her in Act II Scene II?

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

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

9. Where is Viola when she is first introduced in Act I Scene II? What has just taken place?

10. What is Orsino’s station in Illyria? What news does he receive in the beginning of Act I Scene I?

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

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 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)

This section contains 869 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample