Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Summary

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Why does Viola disguise herself as a man named Cesario?

To work in Lady Olivia's household (correct)

To avoid being recognized by the sea captain

To pursue her love for Orsino

To take revenge on Olivia

What makes Viola's love for Orsino difficult to pursue?

Orsino believes Viola is a man (correct)

Orsino is in love with someone else

Orsino is a sea captain

Viola is mourning her dead brother

Why does Lady Olivia refuse to entertain proposals of marriage?

She is mourning for her dead brother (correct)

She is not interested in marriage

She is secretly married

She is in love with Orsino

What job does Viola initially consider doing when she finds herself in Illyria?

Servant for Lady Olivia Signup and view all the answers

Who does Orsino send to deliver his love messages to Olivia?

Viola (disguised as Cesario) Signup and view all the answers

What causes the love triangle in the story?

Orsino loving Viola as Cesario Signup and view all the answers

What does Viola assume about her twin brother Sebastian?

He has been drowned in a shipwreck Signup and view all the answers

Why does Lady Olivia fall for Cesario (Viola in disguise)?

Because Cesario is beautiful and charming Signup and view all the answers

What role does Viola take on when she starts working in Duke Orsino's household?

Page named Cesario Signup and view all the answers

Who engineers the practical joke on Malvolio?

Maria Signup and view all the answers

What does the forged letter to Malvolio instruct him to wear?

Yellow stockings and crossed garters Signup and view all the answers

Who does Olivia ask to marry her, mistaking him for someone else?

Sebastian Signup and view all the answers

What is Viola's disguise name when she pretends to be a man?

Cesario Signup and view all the answers

'Sir Topas' is a disguise worn by:

Feste Signup and view all the answers

Who has been caring for Sebastian since the shipwreck?

Antonio Signup and view all the answers

'M.O.A.I.' signifies the name of:

Olivia's lover Signup and view all the answers

'Olivia welcomes Cesario as her new husband' - Who is Cesario actually mistaken for?

Sebastian Signup and view all the answers

Who realizes they love Viola after the mistaken identities are revealed?

Orsino Signup and view all the answers

What leads Olivia to think Malvolio is mad?

His strange behavior due to the forged letter Signup and view all the answers

What do several characters in Twelfth Night initially believe they want?

Love Signup and view all the answers

Who does Olivia fall in love with first in Twelfth Night?

Viola (Cesario) Signup and view all the answers

Which character in Twelfth Night is revealed to be a 'pompous jerk'?

Malvolio Signup and view all the answers

Who has the least self-knowledge among the characters in Twelfth Night?

Orsino Signup and view all the answers

What role does desire play in Twelfth Night?

Forcing characters to gain self-knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Why does Duke Orsino prefer to send Cesario to court Olivia on his behalf?

He believes Cesario's resemblance to a woman will make him more appealing to Olivia. Signup and view all the answers

How are Viola's actions different from those of Orsino and Olivia?

Viola is impulsive and decisive, while Orsino and Olivia are reactive and self-absorbed. Signup and view all the answers

What role does Viola's disguise as Cesario play in the plot of the story?

It complicates the love interests by making Olivia fall for a woman in disguise. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the revelation of Viola's true identity as a woman not bother Orsino and Olivia?

Both characters are shallow and fickle, so they easily switch affections. Signup and view all the answers

How does the mistaken identity involving Sebastian increase dramatic tension in the play?

Audience anticipation grows as they wait for Sebastian and Viola's reunion. Signup and view all the answers

How does Orsino describe love metaphorically in the text?

A plague that causes suffering Signup and view all the answers

What does Olivia compare love to in Twelfth Night?

A curse or a plague Signup and view all the answers

How does Viola express her feelings about her situation in the text?

She feels desperate for her master's love Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Shakespeare portray love's impact on the characters?

As a curse or a violent, disruptive feeling Signup and view all the answers

What major theme related to love emerges from the text of Twelfth Night?

Love as a force that can lead to exclusion and heartache Signup and view all the answers

What social norm prevents Antonio from openly expressing his attraction to Sebastian?

Societal pressure against same-sex relationships Signup and view all the answers

Why does Viola find it challenging to express her love for Duke Orsino directly?

Orsino believes Viola is a man named Cesario Signup and view all the answers

In Twelfth Night, how does the festival of Twelfth Night influence social hierarchies?

It allows for temporary role reversals Signup and view all the answers

What drives Malvolio's aspirations for social advancement in the play?

A wish to increase his social standing Signup and view all the answers

How does Shakespeare use cross-dressing as a narrative technique in Twelfth Night?

To create homoerotic subtext in character relationships Signup and view all the answers

What does Viola find to be the cost of maintaining her disguise?

Her actions are constantly misinterpreted Signup and view all the answers

Why does Viola's masculine disguise allow her to speak more freely?

It liberates her from strict social expectations for women Signup and view all the answers

Why does Viola decide to disguise herself as a man when stranded in Ilyria?

To protect herself from potential harm or assault Signup and view all the answers

How do Orsino and Olivia view Viola's ambiguous gender position?

They recognize that she challenges traditional binary gender conventions Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does Viola's disguise as a man serve in 'Twelfth Night'?

To enable her to express her thoughts freely and defy social norms Signup and view all the answers