1
Name: __________________________(
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Character Matching
Characters
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
/10)
Description
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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 1/ Scene 2

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 6

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: ____________________________
English 9 – 12th Night
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: ____________________________
English 9 – 12th Night
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: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 2/ 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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 15

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 2/ Scene 2

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 18

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 2/ Scene 3

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 21

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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.

8. Put the following quotes into your own words:

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 2/ Scene 4

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 24

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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?

6. Put the following quotes into your own words:

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 2/ Scene 5

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 27

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 3/ 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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 30

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 3/ Scene 2

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 32

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Act 3 Scene 2
1. Skim through the scene and summarize below what happens.
Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.
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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 3/ Scene 3

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 34

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Act 3 Scene 3

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

Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.
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.

Key Speeches My Translation

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 3/ Scene 4

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 36

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Act 3 Scene 4

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

Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.

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.

Key Speeches My Translation

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 4/ 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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 39

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

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.

Key Speeches My Translation

Sebastian – Let fancy still my sense in Lethe

steep; If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep.
(lines 61-61)
 40

Name: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 4/ Scene 2

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 41

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Act 4 Scene 2

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

Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.

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?

Key Speeches My Translation

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 4/ Scene 3

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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.
 43

Name: __________________________
12th Night – English 9 Teacher: Mr. Balnave

Act 4 Scene 3

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

Basically, what happens is _________________________________________________.

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?

Key Speeches My Translation

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: __________________________
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Act 5/ 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 _______
___________________________________________
__________________________________________.

12th Night – English 9
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
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.
Second, ____________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________.
Third, ______________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Name: __________________________
What each character thinks has just
happened.
Antonio thinks that _____________
_____________________________,
because _______________________
______________________________
Olivia thinks that Viola has broken
her marriage vows because Viola __
_____________________________
_____________________________.
Sir Andrew and Sir Toby believe that
they were wounded by Viola/
Cesario, because ______________
_____________________________.
45
Teacher: Mr. Balnave
Explain why mistaken identity
has lead to this confusion...
Antonio’s is mistaken about
Sebastian because ___________
__________________________
__________________________
Olivia hasn’t realized that ___
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________.
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)

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

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.

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

Main Ideas Paragraph Section

This opening paragraph 12th Night is a farcical comedy set in the imaginary realm of Illyria. It concerns
introduces the the story of two high born siblings, Viola and Sebastian, who are shipwrecked off
______________, a few Illyria’s coast. Each of them, unaware that the other lives, seek their fortunes in
major characters, and the Illyria. On their way, they both find love in the most unlikely of places, and
theme in question, which discover that romantic infatuation can set off a most ridiculous and unexpected
is ___________________. 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

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

(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.