Twelfth Night Study Guide – AP Literature

What is the major theme of the play? Love is the major theme of the play.
With whom is the Duke in love? The Duke is in love with Olivia.
In what kinds of poetry does the Duke express his love? The Duke’s poetry contains metaphors, puns, synesthesia, and similes.
Is it entirely true that the Duke is “in love with love”? No, it is not completely true because the Duke is clearly in love with Olivia, a specific person.
What type of metaphor does the Duke use when he addresses the “spirit of love”? He uses a metaphor drawn from falconry when he addresses the “spirit of love.”
What is the subtitle of the play? The subtitle of the play is “What you Will.”
Toward what does the title Twelfth Night orient the reader? The title orients the reader toward the playful and festive atmosphere of the action.
What recreation does Curio ask the Duke about? Curio asks the duke if he is going hunting.
What is “Twelfth Night”? “Twelfth Night” is a holiday and occasion for merriment.
What kind of part does love play in the festival atmosphere of the play? Love plays an important part as the characters meet and pair off.
Where do we first meet Viola? We first meet Viola on a seacoast.
What happened to Viola’s brother? He was separated from Viola when the ship sank.
What kind of nature does Viola have? Viola has a practical nature.
What does Shakespeare imply about love in this shift of thematic emphasis? Shakespeare implies that there’s more to love than mere poetry.
What device does Viola use to get into the Duke’s service? Viola uses the disguise device to get into the Duke’s service.
Is it clear what Viola wants to achieve in the Duke’s service? No, it is not clear as of yet what Viola’s specific goal is.
How does Shakespeare symbolize Viola’s practical side? Shakespeare symbolizes Viola’s practical side by having her offer money in payment for favors to her.
Is Twelfth Night the only play that involves a character putting on a disguise? No, Shakespeare has used disguised characters in other plays.
What other significant Shakespearean theme does Viola state? Viola states the theme of “appearances versus reality.”
What image that the Duke employs does Viola also use? Viola repeats the music image of the first scene.
Do we meet Olivia in this scene? No, we do not meet Olivia in this scene.
What is Sir Andrew’s relationship to Sir Toby? They are friends.
What did Maria hear about Sir Andrew’s purpose for being in the house? Maria heard that Sir Toby brought him to the house to woo Olivia.
What does the presence of Maria and Sir Toby as characters imply? They imply that love is for all kinds of people, no matter what their status is.
Who brings in a note of competition to the scene? Sir Andrew brings in a note of competition.
Does Sir Andrew seem an appropriate suitor for Olivia? No, the scene leaves us with the impression that Sir Andrew may not be an appropriate suitor for Olivia.
What else do Sir Toby and Sir Andrew illustrate in the play? Sir Toby and Sir Andrew illustrate the party-and-fun atmosphere, as implied in the title’s holiday.
How does Shakespeare reveal Sir Toby’s free spirit? Shakespeare reveals Sir Toby’s free spirit through the language.
What is “ploce”? “Ploce” is the repetition of a word in a different sense.
What type of imagery does Sir Toby introduce at the end of the scene? Sir Toby introduces a succession of “dance” images.
What is Viola’s male name? Viola’s male name is “Cesario.”
What task does the Duke assign Cesario? The Duke assigns Cesario the task of pursuing Olivia for him.
For whom does Cesario feel love for? Cesario feels love for the Duke.
To what genre does the play Twelfth Night belong? Twelfth Night belongs to the genre of “comedy.”
What kind of an ending do we expect in comedy? We expect a happy ending in comedy.
What kind of vision does comedy have, according to Northrop Frye? Comedy’s vision has a social signifigance.
What is the community of Illyria doing about the Duke’s love? The community in Illyria is well aware of and talking about the Duke’s love.
How does the duke respond to Cesario’s doubts that Olivia is too “abandoned to her sorrow” to listen to his suit? The Duke tells him to “be clamorous and leap all civil bounds.”
Does the Duke change? The Duke’s impassioned stance toward Olivia changes slightly.
What does Orsino display at the end of the scene? Orsino displays common sense at the end of the scene.
What does Maria threaten the Clown with? Maria threatens the Clown with punishment for his absence.
What kind of attitude does the Clown evidence toward Olivia? The Clown evidences an offhand attitude toward Olivia.
What does the Clown try to prove about Olivia? The Clown tries to prove that Olivia is a fool.
What is the name of Olivia’s steward? Malvolio is Olivia’s steward.
What does Olivia put on before speaking with Cesario? Olivia puts on a veil before speaking with Cesario.
Who falls in love with whom in this scene? Olivia falls in love with Cesario.
What do the two love twists we’ve witnessed suggest? The love twists suggest just how subjective is the experience of love.
Which character serves to emphasize the subjective nature of “love”? The Clown’s speech emphasizes the subjective nature of “love”.
In what manner are the Clown’s insults couched? The Clown’s insults are couched in a jarringly logical manner.
What type of metaphor does Cesario use to lend emphasis to the great love the Duke holds for Olivia? Cesario uses an extended theological metaphor to reflect the Duke’s great love.
What is Antonio’s occupation? Antonio is a sea captain.
What relation does Sebastian hold to Viola? Sebastian is Viola’s brother.
What does Sebastian think has happened to Viola? Sebastian thinks that Viola has drowned.
Where do Antonio and Sebastian find themselves in this scene? They find themselves on Illyria’s shore.
What purpose does this scene serve? The purpose of this scene is to inform us about Viola’s twin brother.
How would you characterize the style of the dialogue? The style is one of formal, straightforward prose.
Where does Sebastian say he is headed? Sebastian says he is headed for Orsino’s court.
What does Antonio want to do for Sebastian? Antonio wishes to serve Sebastian.
Name one source for Twelfth Night. The sources for Twelfth Night are Gl’Ingannati, Bandello, and Riche.
Essentially, what do the sources and the play Twelfth Night have in common? The sources have the four essential characters and the plot in common with Shakespeare.
Why does Malvolio seek Cesario? Malvolio seeks Cesario to give him a ring.
Whose ring is it? It is a ring from Olivia.
What kind of speech is it that Cesario utters? Cesario utters a soliloquy.
What does Malvolio emphasize to Cesario? Malvolio emphasizes that Olivia wants Orsino to stop his wooing.
Where does Malvolio put the ring? Malvolio places the ring on the ground.
What does Cesario feel about the ring? Cesario feels confused about the ring.
Who has fallen in love with Cesario? Olivia has fallen in love with Cesario.
What does Cesario wonder in the latter part of the soliloquy? Cesario wonders how the mistaken love will be resolved.
What motif does Cesario repeat in his soliloquy? Cesario repeats the motif of “appearances versus reality.”
What is the critics’s attitude toward Malvolio? Critics have argued over how to interpret Malvolio.
What does going to bed after midnight mean for Sir Toby? For Sir Toby, going to bed after midnight means going to bed early.
What does Sir Andrew call Feste the Clown? Sir Andrew calls Feste “the fool.”
What ability of the Clown does Sir Andrew compliment? Sir Andrew compliments the Clown’s singing voice.
What do Sir Toby and Andrew offer to Feste for his singing? They offer him money.
What two types of songs does the Clown suggest? The Clown suggests either a love song or a song with a moral.
What does the Clown’s song define? The Clown’s song defines “love.”
In keeping with the holiday tradition, what title can we apply to Sir Toby? Sir Toby can take the title of the “lord of misrule.”
What plot is hatched in this scene? The comic plot is hatched in this scene.
What is Maria’s motive for the scheme? Maria’s motive for the scheme is revenge.
What does Maria plan to drop in Malvolio’s way? Maria plans to drop letters in Malvolio’s way.
What is the first item the Duke requests? The Duke requests some music.
Who is not immediately available to sing the song? The Clown is not immediately available to sing the song.
What kind of lover does Orsino classify himself as? Orsino classifies himself as a “true lover.”
What does the Duke surmise about Cesario? The Duke surmises that Cesario has been in love.
According to the Duke, does the age of the man in a relationship matter? Yes, the age of the male partner does matter.
What does the Clown’s song focus on? The Clown’s song foucses on the Duke’s frustration with subsequent failure to obtain Olivia.
Who does the Clown insult? The Clown insults the Duke.
Where does Cesario go once again? Cesario goes to woo for the Duke.
What warning does Cesario give to Orsino about Olivia? Cesario warns the Duke that Olivia is not open to romance with him.
In what does the lover of the Clown’s song wish to be laid? The lover is ready to be buried in a coffin.
Who is Fabian? Fabian is another of Olivia’s servants.
What is his motive for tricking Malvolio? Fabian apparently has a bone to pick with Malvolio.
Who has worked out the scheme? Maria has worked out the scheme.
Where will the spectators of the device hide? The spectators will hide in a box tree.
What does Malvolio fancy himself? Malvolio fancies himself a suitor to Olivia.
What kind of intention do Sir Toby and Andrew evidence by their remarks? Sir Toby and Andrew evidence a sadistic intention.
In whose handwriting supposedly is the letter that Malvolio finds? The letter is supposedly in Olivia’s handwriting.
What four letters in the letter lead Malvolio to believe it is addressed to him? “M,O,A,I” led Malvolio to believe it is addressed to him.
What is the source of imagery used by Sir Toby, Andrew, Maria, and Fabian to characterize Malvolio’s situation? They use animal imagery to enlighten us about Malvolio’s situation.
From whom is Malvolio alienated? Malvolio is alienated from the rest of the household.
What instrument is the Clown holding? The Clown is holding a tabor.
Where does the Clown say he lives by? The Clown says he lives by a church.
Why is the Clown upset with words? The Clown is upset with words because they are rascals whose bonds disgraced them.
Rather than Lady Olivia’s fool, what dos Feste claim to be? Feste claims to be Olivia’s “corrupter of words.”
What does Cesario praise while waiting for Olivia? Cesario praises the Clown’s skill as a fool.
Who declares love in this scene? Olivia declares her love for Cesario in this scene.
What is Olivia’s response to Cesario’s wooing for the Duke? Olivia rejects the Duke.
Between what two characters does Shakespeare establish a kinship? Shakespeare establishes a kinship between Cesario and the Clown.
What happens when the wise men act foolishly? They betray their common sense.
According to Herschel Baker, what do the characters lack? The characters lack self-knowledge.
What is Sir Andrew getting ready to do? Sir Andrew is getting ready to leave.
On whom does Andrew see Olivia bestow her affection? Andrew sees Olivia bestow her affection on Cesario.
What is Fabian’s explanation for that favoritism? Fabian asserts that she is doing that to exasperate Andrew and to rouse him to some action.
What element does Fabian think will stir Olivia’s passion? Fabian thinks that valor will stir Olivia to passion.
What idea does Sir Toby come up with to help Sir Andrew? Sir Toby comes up with the idea of a fight.
What task does Sir Toby assign to Sir Andrew? Sir Toby assigns a letter to Sir Andrew to be delivered to Cesario.
What does Sir Toby not plan to do, though? Sir Toby does not plan to deliver the letter.
In what manner does Sir Toby hail Maria? Sir Toby hails Maria in an affectionate manner.
How does Maria describe Malvolio’s absorption in the letter? Maria describes Malvolio’s absorption in the letter as hilarious.
What role does Sir Toby continue to play well? Sir Toby continues to play the role of “lord of misrule” well.
What does Sebastian say he will not do to Antonio? Sebastian says he will not chide him.
Where do they meet? They meet in a street.
What encouraged Antonio to keep up with Sebastian? Antonio’s love and concern for Sebastian encouraged him to keep up.
How does Antonio describe the area they’re in? Antonio describes the area as “rough and inhospitable.”
What does Sebastian desire to do in Illyria? Sebastian desires to go sightseeing.
Why does Antonio have to decline Sebastian’s offer to see the town? Antonio has to decline Sebastian’s offer to accompany him because he is a wanted man.
What does Sebastian recon Antonio has done? Sebastain recons Antonio has murdered.
What does Antonio say he is guilty of? Antonio says he is guilty of piracy.
Who is the missing link in the love strands? Antonio is the missing link in the love strands.
With what character does Sebastian have a similar thematic function? Sebastian and Viola have similar thematic functions.
How is Olivia feeling at the opening of the scene? Olivia is out of sorts.
What does Olivia commend about Malvolio? Olivia commends Malvolio’s nature.
What influence sways Malvolio’s mind as he speaks with Olivia? The commands of the letter sway Malvolio’s mind as he speaks with Olivia.
In what words does Malvolio try to dismiss Sir Toby when he enters? Malvolio tries to dismiss Sir Toby with “Go off; I discard you.”
What does Sir Toby indicate his attitude toward Malvolio will be when the trick is done? Sir Toby indicates that he will show mercy on Malvolio when the trick is done.
What does Sir Andrew return with? Sir Andrew returns with the letter he wrote.
How receptive is Cesario to Olivia’s love? Cesario is not receptive to Olivia’s love.
With what news does Sir Toby alarm Cesario? Sir Toby alarms Cesario with the report that Sir Andrew is preparing to attack him.
What does the knowledge of Sebastian’s existence make of this scene? Knowledge of Sebastian’s existence makes this a climactic scene.
How can we characterize Malvolio’s dialogue with Olivia? We can characterize Malvolio’s dialogue with Olivia as comic and perverse.
How does Sebastian react to Feste? Sebastian dismisses the Clown.
What does Sebastian tell the Clown to vent elsewhere? Sebastian tells the Clown to vent his folly elsewhere.
Who tells the other to abandon his pretense? Feste tells Sebastian to abandon his pretense, “ungrid thy strangeness.”
Who fights in this scene? Sebastian, Sir Andrew, and Sir Toby fight in this scene.
When the Clown sees the fray, what does he do? The Clown goes off to inform Olivia.
Who breaks up the fight? Olivia breaks up the fight.
How does Olivia characterize Sir Toby’s behavior? Olivia calls Sir Toby a “rudesby” and “ungracious wretch.”
To whom does Olivia issue an invitation? Olivia issues an invitation to Sebastian.
How does Sebastian respond to Olivia’s invitation? Sebastian is surprised at Olivia’s invitation.
What does Maurice Charney say about Feste’s mind? Maurice Charney says that Feste has an “agile mind at wordplay.”
What two articles does Maria give the Clown? Maria gives the Clown a gown and a beard.
Whom does she want Feste to play? Maria wants Feste to play Sir Topas.
What label does Sir Topas greet Malvolio with? Sir Topas greets Malvolio as “Malvolio the lunatic.”
What kind of room is Malvolio in? Malvolio is in a very dark room.
What are the two sources of light in that room? The two sources of light in the room are bay windows and clerestories.
How does Malvolio perceive himself? Malvolio perceives himself as a wronged man.
What items does Malvolio request from Sir Topas? Malvolio requests a candle, pen, ink, and paper from Sir Topas.
What kind of test does Malvolio ask for? Malvolio asks for a test of his sanity.
Why does Sir Toby feel compelled to put a stop to the trick? Sir Toby feels compelled to put a stop to the trick because Olivia disapproves of his nonsense.
What image in the scene suggests the cruelty of Maria and Sir Toby? The darkness image suggests the cruelty of Maria and Sir Toby.
Why is the garden an appropriate setting for this scene? It is appropriate because a wedding is about to take place.
What does Sebastian try to come to terms with? Sebastian tries to come to terms with his good luck.
What does the rapidity of the love match prevent us from obtaining? The rapidity of the love match prevents us from obtaining Sebastian’s feelings about love.
What gift has Olivia given Sebastian? Olivia gives Sebastian a pearl.
Whom does Sebastian wish to speak with? Sebastian wishes to speak with Antonio.
Does he accept or reject Olivia’s love? He accepts Olivia’s love.
What skill of Olivia’s does Sebastian praise? Sebastian praises Olivia’s management of affairs in the house.
What plans has Olivia made. Olivia has planned a wedding ceremony.
Who has she brought to carry out those plans? She has brought a priest to tie the knot.
What is the key symbolic element of this scene? The key symbolic element is the twins.
Whose letter does Feste refuse to show Fabian? Feste refuses to show Malvolio’s letter.
With what disparaging term does the Clown refer to himself and Fabian The clown refers to Fabian and himself as Olivia’s “trappings.”
Whom does Antonio think Cesario is? Antonio thinks Cesario is Sebastian.
Why does Olivia call in the priest? Olivia calls in the priest to verify her marriage to Sebastian.
What has happened to Sir Andrew? Sir Andrew has been injured by Sebastian.
What does Sebastian’s presence signal? Sebastian’s presence signals the resolution of the mistaken identity plot.
Whom does Malvolio cast blame on in his letter? Malvolio casts blame on Olivia.
With Olivia and Sebastian being the first couple, who would make up the second couple? The second couple consists of the Duke and Viola.
Who would make up the third pairing? Sir Toby and Maria make up the third couple.
What satisfaction does Malvolio want for the trick? Malvolio desires revenge on all his malefactors.
July 14, 2019