Act 1 Scene 5 Questions the twelfth night
Who is the Fool? How does he talk to Maria? What kind of person do you think
he is?
What does the Fool say he can prove about Olivia? How does he win his argument?
For what does Olivia criticize Malvolio?
Who is waiting at the gate to see Olivia?
What state is Sir Toby in when he returns from the gate to see Olivia?
How does the Fool describe this state? Why do you think he describes it this way?
When Malvolio returns, why does he say he was unable to get rid of the stranger?
How does Malvolio describe the person waiting at the gate? What is interesting about this description?
Who do you think wrote Viola’s speech that she tries to give to Olivia? Why? Are there any parts that you think she is making up herself? How can you tell?
What is ironic about Viola’s line, “I am not that I play”? (What does the audience
know that Olivia doesn’t?) What is the term for this kind of irony?
How does Viola try to woo Olivia for Orsino? What types of compliments does she give
her?
What does Olivia mean when she says “I will give out divers schedules of my beauty. It
shall be inventoried and very particle and utensil labeled to my will”?
What does Viola say that she would do if she were in love with Olivia?
What is Olivia saying about Cesario when she says, “‘What is your parentage?’ / ‘Above
my fortunes, yet my state is well. / I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art.”?
What does Olivia admit about Viola once she has left?
What does this suggest about love, especially her metaphor of “the plague”?
On the page to the left, quote and draw three interesting images from any of the descriptions of Viola/Cesario.
1. The Fool is a witty and jesting character in the play. He talks to Maria in a playful and teasing manner, often making sarcastic remarks.
2. The Fool claims he can prove that Olivia is in love with 'Cesario' (Viola disguised as a man). He wins his argument by pointing out Olivia's overly romantic and irrational behavior whenever Cesario is mentioned.
3. Olivia criticizes Malvolio for his somber and serious nature. She finds his seriousness to be dull and wishes for him to be more light-hearted.
4. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are waiting at the gate to see Olivia.
5. Sir Toby returns from the gate to see Olivia in a drunken state. The Fool describes him as being "yare" (meaning agile) and "youthful" (despite his old age). This description may be a way of emphasizing Sir Toby's reckless and carefree behavior when drunk.
6. When Malvolio returns, he says he was unable to get rid of the stranger because Olivia was talking to him.
7. Malvolio describes the person waiting at the gate as young and noble-looking, wearing a bright yellow cross-gartered stockings. The interesting part of this description is that it matches the appearance of Viola/Cesario, who the audience knows is the person waiting at the gate.
8. It is unclear who wrote Viola's speech, but it is likely that she wrote it herself. Some parts of the speech may be made up by Viola to better express her feelings for Orsino.
9. The audience knows that Viola is actually a woman disguised as a man. Therefore, when she says "I am not that I play," she is ironically stating that she is not really a man as she appears to be to Olivia. This is an example of dramatic irony.
10. Viola tries to woo Olivia for Orsino by showering her with compliments and admiration. She calls Olivia beautiful and compares her to rare and precious gems.
11. When Olivia says she will give out "schedules" of her beauty and have it inventoried, she means she will document and label every aspect of her beauty. It suggests that she believes she is extremely beautiful and wants to showcase it.
12. Viola says if she were in love with Olivia, she would constantly praise and adore her, and even go as far as sacrificing her own life for Olivia's happiness.
13. When Olivia asks Cesario about his parentage and he responds by saying his fortunes are above his parentage, Olivia interprets it as him being of noble birth. She is convinced that Cesario is a gentleman.
14. Olivia admits that Viola/Cesario has made an impression on her after they have left. This suggests that she has developed feelings for Cesario.
15. This suggests that love can be overwhelming and all-consuming, like a disease or plague that one cannot resist or control. It implies that Olivia's feelings for Cesario are intense and uncontrollable.