Honors British Literature
Mr. Davis
Name:____________________________
Mods:____________________________
Twelfth Night Act III Study Guide
Scene i
1. What does Feste suggest about words and language when he says, “a sentence is but a
cheveril glove to a good wit: how quickly the wrong side may be turned outward!” How does
this fit with the main theme of the play?
2. What does Viola suggest that Feste is in relationship to Olivia? What is Feste’s response to
this?
3. For what end does Feste use his intelligence?
4. What word does Feste claims is “over-worn?” Who pompously uses this word later in the
Act?
5. What does Viola mean when she says, “this fellow is wise enough to play the fool” (36)?
6. What does Viola mean by, “that you think you are not what you are” (38)? How does Olivia
take this, and how does Viola respond back?
Scene ii
1. What does Sir Andrew claim he has witnessed? How does he react to seeing this?
2. What do Fabian and Sir Toby suggest Andrew needs to do regarding Cesario? Find an
example of how they are making fun of him.
3. What does Fabian suggest about Sir Andrew’s character by saying, “you find so much blood
in his liver as will clog the foot of a flee” (40)?
Honors British Literature
Mr. Davis
Name:____________________________
Mods:____________________________
Scene iii
1. For what reason does Antonio need to stay low-key while in Illyria? What did he do in the
past?
2. What does Sebastian want to while in Illyria?
3. What does Antonio give Sebastian before they part ways?
Scene iv
1. Why would Maria say negative things about Malvolio’s behavior before he enters the room?
2. What is Olivia suggesting when she says, “Wilt thou go to bed, Malvolio” (44)? How does
Malvolio interpret this?
3. Malvolio seems to have memorized the entire letter. What cues does he not pick up on while
he is reciting them to Olivia?
4. Who does Olivia call in to watch Malvolio? What is her purpose for doing this? How does
Malvolio interpret this action?
5. What three things do they suggest about Malvolio?
6. What word does Malvolio use that Feste claims is “over-worn” earlier in the act? In what
manner does he use this word?
Honors British Literature
Mr. Davis
Name:____________________________
Mods:____________________________
7. What does Fabian mean when he says, “if this were played upon a stage now, I would
condemn it as an improbably fiction” (46)?
8. How effective is the letter Sir Andrew writes that challenges Cesario to a duel? Why?
9. What are Fabian and Sir Toby doing to Cesario and Sir Andrew? Why are they doing this?
How do they influence both Cesario and Sir Andrew to carry out what they want them to do?
10. When Antonio enters, what does he do? Who does he think Cesario is? What does he want
from Cesario (who he thinks is someone else)? How does Cesario reply?
11. What happens to Antonio? Why?