Transcript Twelfth Night - Intranet | Sir Thomas Boughey Co

Key Stage 3 Literature
“Twelfth Night”
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night”
UNIT CONTENTS
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•
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•
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Introduction
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Act Four
Act Five
Essay Titles
Slides 3 - 9
Slides 10 - 21
Slides 22 - 29
Slides 30 - 45
Slides 46 - 56
Slides 57 - 63
Slides 64 - 67
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“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
CONTENTS
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•
•
•
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Unit Introduction
Author Information
Background to the Text
Studying a Play
Extension Work
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slides 7 - 8
Slide 9
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Unit Introduction
In this unit we will be studying the play “Twelfth Night” by
William Shakespeare. First, we will take a brief look at
the play, its storyline, characters and themes.
Then you will be looking in detail at some of the most
important scenes in the play, and learning how to write
an essay about this text.
Before we start looking at the play itself, we are going to
look briefly at the life of the playwright, William
Shakespeare. We will also take a look at some of the
background to the play, including when and why it was
written.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Author Information
Name: William Shakespeare
Dates: 1564 - 1616
Biographical Information:
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father,
John, was a fairly wealthy man. His son probably went to
the local grammar school. Shakepeare married Anne
Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children together.
Shakespeare moved to London to work as a writer and an
actor. As well as writing plays and poems during his life,
Shakespeare also invested money in the London theatres.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Background to the Text
It is widely thought that “Twelfth Night” was performed to
Queen Elizabeth and her Italian guest, Orsino, on Twelfth
Night in 1601. The title Twelfth Night refers to the night
before the Feast of the Epiphany, just after Christmas.
Festivals such as Twelfth Night played an important part in
Elizabethan Society. This particular feast was associated
with the over-turning of normal authority, when people
could indulge themselves without the usual rules applying.
Many of the characters in the play in some way act out
these types of behaviour. For instance, Viola with her cross
dressing; Sir Toby and Sir Andrew Aguecheek with their
drinking and over indulgence.
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“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Studying a Play
Studying a play is not the same as studying a novel or a poem, and
you will need to take a different approach. But how exactly is a play
different? Write some of your ideas down below.
Studying a
Play
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Studying a Play
Here are some of the ideas that you might have written.
A play is mainly
written in dialogue.
A play is written to
be performed.
There will usually
be stage directions.
Studying a
Play
A play may be
written in verse or
in prose.
There may be various
different interpretations.
A play is interpreted
by the director,
actor, and audience
or reader.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Introduction
Extension Work
Activities
Complete the following tasks to develop your
understanding of “Twelfth Night”:
• Find out the names of some of Shakespeare’s other
comedies. See if you can discover what their plots are
as well. Are there any similarities to “Twelfth Night”?
• Find out some more information about William
Shakespeare’s life and work.
• See what else you can find out about the festival of
“Twelfth Night”.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
CONTENTS
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•
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Plot Summary Exercise
Setting the Scene
Characters
Extension Work
Slides 11 - 12
Slide 13
Slides 14 - 20
Slide 21
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Orsino
Olivia
Duke __________
is in love with Countess _________,
but she does not return his feelings. There has been a
shipwreck on the coast of ________.
Viola, one of the
Illyria
Sebastian has
survivors, believes her twin brother ___________
been drowned in the storm. Viola decides to dress as a
boy and go to work for the Duke. We meet the drunk,
_____
Sir ________, hisToby
friend __________ Aguecheek,
Andrewand
Olivia’s servant Maria.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Cesario
Viola, now known as __________
is trusted by Orsino
Olivia
to deliver his message of love to _________.
Viola
does not want to do this, because she has fallen in
love with _________
herself. Olivia agrees to see
Orsino
Cesario, who passes on the Duke’s message. Olivia
refuses to change her mind about the Duke’s
proposals of love. However, she is impressed by
Cesario and when ‘he’ leaves she sends
Malvolio to take ‘him’ a _______.
ring
___________
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Setting the Scene
There are various different settings in the play, and a
director would need to decide what each of these settings
looked like, and also how to change scenes between the
different settings.
Activity
Choose one of the settings listed below and either
design a stage set, or make a drawing of that place.
• Duke Orsino’s Palace;
• Near the sea-coast;
• Olivia’s house.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
The Characters
We meet a lot of characters in the first act, some of whom
are very important to the story, others less so. After
introducing Duke Orsino and Viola at the start of the play,
Shakespeare then begins his comic sub-plot, which runs
alongside the main story.
On the next slides you will find blank character studies for
three of the characters in this act. Complete the character
studies for each person, then look at the answer slides to
check what you have written.
All the information you need to complete the character
studies can be found in the text of Act One. If Shakespeare
does not specify a particular detail, write ‘unknown’.
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“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Viola
Name(s): _______________________________
Occupation: ______________________________
Relatives: ____________________________________
______________________________________________
Personality: ___________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Viola
Name(s): Viola / Cesario
Occupation: Servant to Duke Orsino
Relatives: Sebastian, her twin brother
Personality:
• Brave - she takes on a boy’s clothing so that she can
work for Orsino.
• Loving - she cares deeply for her twin brother.
• Talented - she can sing and speak cleverly. This helps
her win Orsino’s and Olivia’s affections.
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“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Orsino
Name(s): _______________________________
Occupation: ______________________________
Relatives: ____________________________________
______________________________________________
Personality: ___________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Orsino
Name(s): Duke Orsino
Occupation: Duke of Illyria
Relatives: Unknown - he is a bachelor
Personality:
• Passionate - he believes himself to be deeply in love with
Olivia.
• Lyrical - he loves music and poetry.
• Determined - he tries hard to get Olivia to return his
affections. He is not put off by her repeated rejection of his
‘love’.
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“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Olivia
Name(s): _______________________________
Occupation: ______________________________
Relatives: ____________________________________
______________________________________________
Personality: ___________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Olivia
Name(s): Olivia
Occupation: Gentlewoman
Relatives: Her father died a year earlier; her brother shortly
afterwards
Personality:
• Determined - once she falls in love with ‘Cesario’, she
pursues him relentlessly.
• Passionate and devoted - she is determined to mourn her
brother’s memory.
• Secretive - she hides her face behind a veil.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act One
Extension Work
Activities
Complete the following activities to develop your
understanding of Act One.
• Write a detailed study of one of the characters in the
comic sub plot, e.g. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria.
• Find quotations linked to the following images, that
recur throughout the play:
• Music;
• Disguise;
• Ships and sailing.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
CONTENTS
• Plot Summary Exercise
• Detailed Analysis
• Extension Work
Slides 23 - 24
Slides 25 - 28
Slide 29
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Sebastian
We find out that ____________
is still alive, rescued
Antonio
from the sea by ___________.
Sebastian wants to go
to visit ________,
but this is dangerous for Antonio.
Illyria
Olivia talks about her love for Cesario. Sir Toby and Sir
Andrew are having a party. Malvolio tells them to stop,
Olivia
as they are disturbing _______.
Maria has a plan to
send Malvolio some __________,
pretending that Olivia
letters
is in love with him.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Orsino
Cesario talks to ____________
about love, saying that
‘he’ loves someone like the Duke. Feste, the Duke’s
__________
sings about love. Orsino sends Cesario to
Clown
letter
visit ________
Olivia again. Malvolio finds the __________
that Maria has written, and thinks that it is from Olivia.
yellow
In the letter, Maria tells Malvolio to wear __________
stockings. Malvolio believes that he can marry Olivia.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Detailed Analysis
On the next slides, you will find an extract from Act Two,
Scene Four, with a detailed analysis of this piece of text.
This will help you learn the techniques that you will need to
employ when approaching the play as a whole.
There are various themes and images which become
apparent in this section, and some of these are explored in
more detail in the section on Act Three.
Remember, when you are analysing the text, never lose
sight of the fact that “Twelfth Night” is a play. Think about
how you might put across some of these themes and
images on stage. What could the characters do to ‘point’
these particular words.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Viola: Say that some lady, as perhaps there is,
Hath for your love as great a pang of heart
As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her;
You tell her so; must she not then be answered?
Orsino: There is no woman’s sides
Can bide the beating of so strong a passion
As love doth give my heart: no woman’s heart
So big, to hold so much, they lack retention.
Alas, their love may be called appetite No motion of the liver, but the palate That suffers surfeit, cloyment and revolt;
But mine is all as hungry as the sea,
And can digest as much. Make no compare
Between that love a woman can bear me
And that I owe Olivia.
Act Two,
Scene Four
Viola is talking about
herself. The dramatic
irony (see Act Five)
creates tension.
Orsino believes that
male and female love
are very different.
Orsino uses an
extended metaphor
about food to describe
the difference.
Here, he uses the sea
to describe his love: an
image used frequently
in this play.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Viola: Ay, but I know Orsino: What dost thou know?
Viola: Too well what women to men may owe:
In faith they are as true of heart as we.
My father had a daughter loved a man,
As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman,
I should your lordship.
Orsino: And what’s her history?
Viola: A blank, my lord: she never told her love,
But let concealment like a worm i’th’ bud
Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought,
And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like Patience on a monument,
Smiling at grief.
Act Two,
Scene Four
Viola’s only way to hint to
Orsino of her love is by
describing ‘her father’s
daughter’, i.e. herself.
Viola puts the case for
women’s love: they are
as true as men.
Viola describes the
fictional ‘daughter’,
suffering because she
keeps her love a secret.
Viola explains how
concealment is like a
worm in a plant - it eats
away at her.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Act Two,
Scene Four
Viola continues to
Viola: Was not this love indeed?
challenge Orsino’s view of
We men may say more, swear more - but indeed
male love. Again, the
Our shows are more than will; for still we prove
irony is bitter.
Much in our vows, but little in our love.
Orsino: But died thy sister of her love, my boy?
Viola: I am all the daughters of my father’s house,
And all the brothers too … and yet I know not …
[they muse]
Sir, shall I to this lady?
Orsino: [starts and rouses] Ay, that’s the theme,
To her in haste; give her this jewel; say,
My love can give no place, bide no denay.
Viola almost gives away
her secret. She also
alludes to the fact that
she believes her
brother to be dead.
They both ‘muse’, or think
deeply. Some people
suggest that Orsino
already feels love for
Viola, but cannot express
it to his ‘boy’.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Two
Extension Work
Questions
Answer the following questions to develop your
understanding of Act Two.
• Look closely at Viola’s speech in Act Two, Scene Two.
What does she have to say about the theme of
disguise?
• Look closely at Act Two, Scene Five.
• What is it about Malvolio’s character that makes
him susceptible to the ‘practical joke’?
• Why do you think Sir Toby, Maria and Sir Andrew
decide to play this trick on Malvolio?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
CONTENTS
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•
•
•
•
•
Plot Summary Exercise
Themes
Love
Disguise
Contrasts & Opposites
Extension Work
Slide 31
Slide 32
Slides 33 - 37
Slides 38 - 42
Slides 43 - 44
Slide 45
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Cesario
Olivia declares her love for ____________,
but ‘he’ obviously
Toby
cannot return it. Sir _________
tells Sir Andrew that Olivia
actually loves him and not Cesario, and he must challenge
Antonio arrive in
‘him’ to a _______.
Sebastian and __________
duel
Illyria. Olivia sends for Malvolio, and is puzzled by his
strange behaviour. She talks again to Cesario about her love
for ‘him’. Sir __________
Andrew and __________
Cesario begin their duel,
Antonio
but __________
intervenes, believing Cesario to be
Sebastian. Antonio is arrested.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Themes
In “Twelfth Night”, Shakespeare explores a variety of
themes. We will be studying three of the main themes
from the play in detail. These are:
Love
Disguise
Contrasts
&
Opposites
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
‘Love’ is probably the strongest theme running through the play
“Twelfth Night”. Shakespeare explores all the different kinds of
‘love’ that we feel, and also explores the differences between
male and female love.
By disguising herself, Viola is allowed a very special insight
into the idea of ‘love’. However, her disguise also puts her into
a very awkward position. The fact that she is disguised as a
boy allows Shakespeare to question what love really is - Olivia
quickly ‘falls in love’ with Viola, but this is a type of love
completely unacceptable in this society.
Look at the list on the next slide and use arrows to link the
characters to those types of love that they feel at some point in
the play.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Orsino
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
Malvolio
Sebastian
Antonio
Now check your answers on the next slide.
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Self Love
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Orsino
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Orsino
Family Love
Malvolio
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Orsino
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Malvolio
Sebastian
Love of a Friend
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Romantic Love
Viola
Passionate Love
Olivia
Self Love
Orsino
Family Love
Unattainable Love
Love of a Friend
Malvolio
Sebastian
Antonio
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
On the next slide you will find a list of the characters who love
someone else in “Twelfth Night”. Some of these characters
really are in love with the other person, and some of them
only believe that there could be love between them.
In “Twelfth Night”, it is only when all the disguises have been
discarded, at the end of Act Five, that the true lovers can be
revealed. By using this technique, Shakespeare questions
the nature of love. He also raises some very interesting
questions about masculine and feminine love, and about how
society shapes our expectations of relationships.
Look at the names on the next slide and drag and drop the
relationships into the correct boxes.
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Love
Olivia for Cesario
Olivia for Sebastian
Viola for Orsino
Are in Love
Orsino for Olivia
Malvolio for Olivia
Believe they
Are in Love
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Disguise
The theme of disguise, and of ‘seeming’ to be something
that you are not, is also an important one in “Twelfth Night”.
Using a disguise allows us to feel less inhibited, and this
links to the festival of Twelfth Night, when people could ‘let
their hair down’. The idea of wearing a disguise is also
closely linked to the whole concept of theatre. In fact, at
the time that the play was first performed, the role of Viola
would have been played by a boy, adding a further layer of
complication: a boy, playing a girl, who was playing a boy!
As we have already seen, Viola’s disguise causes her a
great deal of difficulty, but it also has some benefits for her.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Disguise
As we have noted, Viola’s disguise causes problems, but it
also helps her in some ways. Brainstorm some of your ideas
about this below.
Viola’s
Disguise
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Disguise
Here are some of the ideas that you might have written.
Allows her more
freedom in this
society.
Creates dramatic irony:
we know something the
characters do not.
Prevents her from
declaring her love
to Orsino.
Viola’s
Disguise
Causes the arrest
of Antonio, after the
duel.
Causes confusion between
her and Sebastian.
Allows Olivia to fall
in love with her.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Disguise
When you are studying the theme of disguise, you need to
decide what points Shakespeare might be making. Here
are some ideas to start your discussion:
• He makes a point about women in this society: disguised
as a boy, Viola has a great deal more freedom.
• Linking to the theme of love, he explores how we really
decide who we love, and how far our feelings are swayed
by what we perceive to be true. For instance, Viola ‘falls in
love’ with Cesario, who is in fact a girl.
• Olivia talks about the face being a ‘picture’. How far are
we concerned with outer appearance, and how far with
inner truth?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Disguise
Here are some quotations on the theme of disguise. For each
quote, find out who is saying the line, and whereabouts in the first
three acts of the play it occurs.
We will draw the
curtain, and show
you the picture.
Disguise, I see
thou art a
wickedness ...
Then think you
right; I am not
what I am.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Contrasts & Opposites
Tying closely to the theme of disguise, or ‘seeming’,
Shakespeare also uses the idea of contrasts, or opposites
in the play.
The basis for the plot is the fact that Viola and Sebastian
are twins: without this, there could be no case of mistaken
identity. Although they are male and female, the twins
clearly look enough alike to fool even Antonio, a very close
friend of Sebastian.
As well as there being many literal examples of contrasts
and opposites, notice how the language that Shakespeare
uses is littered with double meanings, some quite rude!
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Contrasts & Opposites
There are many opposing concepts in the play, such as wise and
foolish, personified by Feste / Malvolio. Here are some of the
‘opposites’ that occur in the play: see how many more you can
add to the list.
Beauty
Ugliness
Chaos
Order
Comedy
Tragedy
Male
Female
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Three
Extension Work
Activities
Complete the following activities to develop your
understanding of Act Three.
• Make a list of words or phrases with double meanings
in the play. Write an explanation of their literal and
metaphorical meanings.
• Write a summary of the comic sub-plot up to the end
of Act Three.
• What is Antonio’s reaction when Viola ‘denies’ him.
What does this tell you about his feelings for Sebastian?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
CONTENTS
•
•
•
•
Plot Summary Exercise
The Comic Sub-Plot
Structure
Extension Work
Slide 47
Slides 48 - 49
Slides 50 - 55
Slide 56
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Sebastian
Feste goes to fetch Cesario, but meets ____________
instead. Sebastian fights with Sir Andrew and Sir Toby,
Olivia arrives to rescue him. ____________
Malvolio
and _________
has been locked up and Feste confuses him by
pretending to be a character called Sir _________.
Topas
priest
Olivia brings a __________
so that she can marry
Sebastian believing him to be Cesario.
___________,
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
The Comic Sub-Plot
The comic sub-plot in “Twelfth Night” helps the main plot of
the story along, as well as providing the audience with some
‘light relief’. The comedy in the sub-plot comes about as a
result of mistakes and subterfuge, and because of this it
links to the important theme of disguise, or of things
appearing to be something which they are not.
The confusion and disorder that characterise much of the
play are eventually replaced by social order as both the
main plot and the sub-plot are resolved in Act Five.
Although there are many comic elements in “Twelfth Night”,
some commentators believe that the play also contains
tragic undertones, for instance Malvolio’s fate.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
The Comic Sub-Plot
Various types of humour are used in the comic sub-plot. Look at
the types below, and for each one find an example from the play.
Visual Humour
‘Situation’ Comedy
Satire
Comic Language
Where what the audience sees
makes them laugh.
Where the situation itself creates
the humour.
Often, making fun of authority.
Look for the use of double
meanings and language tricks.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
When you are studying a text, it is important to look at the
overall structure of the piece, as well as that of each
section, or act. With a play, you should also consider the
impact of the structure on an audience.
On the next slides, you will find an outline of the structure of
“Twelfth Night”, including the length of each scene. Look
carefully at the outline, considering the following questions:
• Why do you think the acts become progressively shorter?
• Why are some scenes much longer than others?
• If you were to have an interval, where would you put it?
• Where is the climax of the play?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
Act One
Scene One - Orsino’s Palace - 40 lines
Scene Two - The Sea-Coast - 63 lines
Scene Three - Olivia’s House - 142 lines
Scene Four - Orsino’s Palace - 42 lines
Scene Five - Olivia’s House - 314 lines
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
Act Two
Scene One - Antonio’s House - 45 lines
Scene Two - Near Olivia’s - 41 lines
Scene Three - Olivia’s House - 194 lines
Scene Four - Orsino’s Palace - 123 lines
Scene Five - Olivia’s Garden - 210 lines
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
Act Three
Scene One - Olivia’s Garden - 166 lines
Scene Two - Olivia’s House - 81 lines
Scene Three - A Street - 50 lines
Scene Four - Olivia’s Garden - 396 lines
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
Act Four
Scene One - Square near Olivia’s - 65 lines
Scene Two - Olivia’s House - 130 lines
Scene Three - Olivia’s Garden - 35 lines
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“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Structure
Act Five
Scene One - Square near Olivia’s - 407 lines
Notice how this act is made up of only
one scene. Why might this be? Think
carefully about the audience, and about
what happens in this scene.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Four
Extension Work
Activities
Complete the following activities to develop your
understanding of Act Four.
• Follow the comic sub-plot through the play, using the
‘structure’ slides to help you. In which scenes does the
sub-plot occur? Does it take up the whole of these
scenes, or only part?
• Now look at where the action takes place in each
scene. If you were a stage designer, how would you
make the set, so that the changes could take place
quickly and easily? Draw a plan to show your ideas.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
CONTENTS
• Plot Summary Exercise
• Dramatic Irony
• Extension Work
Slide 58
Slides 59 - 62
Slide 63
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Plot Summary Exercise
Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks:
Orsino arrives at Olivia’s house with __________.
Cesario
husband
Olivia, believing him to be her new ____________,
is
totally confused when ‘he’ says he is going after the
Duke. The priest confirms that they are married. When
__________
Sebastian appears, it is apparent that there are two
‘Cesarios’, and the confusion is resolved. Viola reveals
woman and Orsino proposes to her.
herself to be a _________
The plot to embarrass ____________
is revealed.
Malvolio
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Dramatic Irony
Much of the humour in “Twelfth Night” is created by
Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony. But what exactly is
dramatic irony?
• Dramatic irony is a technique where the audience knows
something that the characters (or most of them) do not.
• Dramatic irony creates humour for the audience, because
we laugh as the characters make their mistakes. Our
knowledge of the truth keeps us interested in the story.
• Dramatic irony can also add tension to a play, as the
audience waits to see when and how the characters will find
out the truth.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Dramatic Irony
Answer the questions below to develop your understanding
of dramatic irony in “Twelfth Night”.
Question
• What does the audience know in “Twelfth Night” that
the characters do not? What is the effect of this
knowledge?
Question
• What do only some of the characters (and the
audience) know, that creates humour in the story?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Dramatic Irony
Question
• What does the audience know in “Twelfth Night” that
the characters do not? What is the effect of this
knowledge?
Answer
The audience knows that ‘Cesario’ is in fact Viola, a girl.
Because Olivia and Orsino are not aware of this, the
audience becomes more fully involved with the story - we
wait to see when they will find out the truth. This
knowledge also creates a tense kind of humour, as we
watch Olivia fall in love with Cesario, and Viola fall in love
with Orsino.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Dramatic Irony
Question
• What do only some of the characters (and the
audience) know, that creates humour in the story?
Answer
The characters in the sub-plot (Sir Toby, Maria, etc.)
know that Olivia is not really in love with Malvolio,
because they set up the practical joke by writing the
letter. This creates humour because the audience knows
that Malvolio is in fact deluded. In addition, the dramatic
irony here also demonstrates Malvolio’s ‘self love’, which
allows him to imagine that Olivia might love him.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Act Five
Extension Work
Questions
Answer the following questions to develop your
understanding of Act Five, and the play as a whole.
• Can you find any other examples of dramatic irony in
“Twelfth Night”? In what ways does the mistaken
identity between Viola and Sebastian contribute to this
technique?
• What happens to Malvolio at the end of the play? Do
you think he deserves his fate or not?
• Why do you think it was important for Shakespeare to
resolve the story as he does?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night”
Essay Questions
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Essay Questions
Question
What does Shakespeare have to say about male and
female attitudes to love in “Twelfth Night”? Which
characters and relationships in the play are particularly
linked to this theme?
Question
Discuss the theme of disguise in “Twelfth Night”. Which
characters disguise themselves or their true feelings.
What happens as a result of these disguises?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Essay Questions
Question
To what extent is “Twelfth Night” a comedy? Is the overall
message of the play solely comic, or does it also have
tragic elements as well? Refer particularly to the comic
sub plot in your answer.
Question
Look at the contrasts between men and women in “Twelfth
Night”. What does Shakespeare believe the differences
between male and female to be?
© Boardworks Ltd 2001
“Twelfth Night” - Essay Questions
Question
Explore the ending of the play, which restores social order
to Illyria. Why do you think Shakespeare ends “Twelfth
Night” in this way?
Question
How far are the female characters in the play responsible
for keeping the action moving? Choose one important
female character and discuss her contributions to the
story.
© Boardworks Ltd 2001