Twelfth Night Study Guide

Text of Twelfth Night (from the University of Virginia's Electronic Text Center):   web version | e-book | Palm    
Twelfth Night study guide from the Guthrie Theater

Discussion Questions

• How does Orsino's opening speech relate to the rest of the play?  What do you learn about Orsino's character from this speech?
• Twelfth Night is often described as a transitional play between the mature comedies (Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It) and Shakespeare's first major tragedy, Hamlet.  In what ways does the play continue to explore the themes of love that emerged in the earlier comedies, and in what ways does does it begin do delve into deeper psychological issues?
• What kind of character is Malvolio?  What is his function in the play?  What is his function in Olivia's household?
• What do Feste's songs say about his character?  How do his songs comment on themes in the play?  What is the message of Feste's last song?
• Olivia has removed herself from the world for seven years to grieve the death of her brother.  What does this extended period of seclusion say about her ability to mature psychologically and sexually?  In what other ways does she express grief?
• What is Viola's attitude toward love?  Compare and contrast Viola's attitude toward love with that of Olivia and Orsino.
• Do you feel that the play's implicit reference to homosexuality is stronger (and more serious) than in As You Like It?  In what ways does the complexity of the situation result in a deeper exploration of gender and sexuality?
• Compare the ending of this play to that of other comedies by Shakespeare.  Is there anything problematic about the ending?