ENG1DB Literary Essay For Twelfth Night: An Initial Brainstorming Activity
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Brainstorming is a wonderful first step when faced with a challenging and thoughprovoking task (like essay writing) because this process helps writers generate many
meaningful ideas, a long list of supporting textual examples, and it assists significantly
in organizing one’s thoughts, therefore brainstorming acts as an important starting
point for any assignment! Let’s try it out! You’ll see what I mean!
Topics:
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Please complete a detailed brainstorm/thought web for FIVE of your favourite topics
from the list below.
1. In the play, Duke Orsino is a character who is undeniably in love with the idea of love.
Prove that Duke Orsino is a character whose obsession with love positively or negatively
shapes his characterization in the text.
2. Examine the role and significance of the comedic characters in the play (i.e. Maria, Sir
Toby, Sir Andrew, Feste, Fabian).
3. Explore what Shakespeare is ultimately suggesting about the true nature of love through
his portrayal of the character’s attitudes and actions in the play.
4. Prove that the play’s central message about the perils of disguise and deception is the
most important theme in the play.
5. Who is the most foolish character in the play? Take a position on this question and defend
it thoughtfully using direct evidence from the text to support your assertions.
6. Is Viola a strong female character in the play? Take a position on this question and
defend it thoughtfully using direct evidence from the text to support your assertions.
7. Prove that the celebratory atmosphere of mischief and revelry commonly associated
with Twelfth Night is effectively conveyed throughout the play.
8. Does Feste prove himself to be a fool or a wise man in the play? Take a position on this
question and defend it thoughtfully using direct evidence from the text to support your
assertions.
9. Does Malvolio truly deserve his poor treatment and pitiful fate at the end of the play?
Take a position on this question and defend it thoughtfully using direct evidence from the
text to support your assertions.
ALSO, MAKE A LIST OF ANY OTHER TOPICS THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WRITING ABOUT
IN THE NUMBERED SPACES BELOW:
1. __________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________________________
7. __________________________________________________________________________________
8. __________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC BRAINSTORM #1
TOPIC: __________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC BRAINSTORM #2
TOPIC: __________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC BRAINSTORM #3
TOPIC: __________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC BRAINSTORM #4
TOPIC: __________________________________________________________________________________
TOPIC BRAINSTORM #5
TOPIC: __________________________________________________________________________________