Play : Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (for 8th grade)
Summary of Scene 1
In Scene 1 of "Twelfth Night," the Duke Orsino is introduced. He is in love with Olivia, who is mourning the death of her brother and refuses to see anyone, including Orsino. Orsino talks to his servant Valentine about his love for Olivia and how he hopes that music can ease his sorrow. Meanwhile, Viola, who has survived a shipwreck, finds herself in the unfamiliar land of Illyria. She is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, and is unsure if he is alive or dead. Viola decides to disguise herself as a man (Cesario) and seeks work in Duke Orsino's household.
Summary of Scene 2
In Scene 2 of "Twelfth Night," Viola (disguised as Cesario) meets a Captain, who helps her after the shipwreck. Viola tells the Captain about her lost twin brother, Sebastian, and wonders if he’s alive. The Captain reassures her that Sebastian might still be alive. Viola decides to seek work in Duke Orsino's household as a servant, hoping to be close to him, as she secretly loves the Duke. The scene ends with Viola preparing to present herself to Orsino's court.
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Character Sketch of Duke Orsino
Duke Orsino, the noble ruler of Illyria in Twelfth Night, is a romantic and melancholic character deeply infatuated with the idea of love. From the very beginning, he is portrayed as an emotional and poetic man, indulging in grand declarations of love, particularly for Lady Olivia. His famous line, “If music be the food of love, play on,” highlights his dramatic and self-indulgent nature. However, his love for Olivia seems more like an obsession than genuine affection, as he enjoys the emotions that come with being in love rather than pursuing a meaningful connection. Orsino is also somewhat fickle; despite his persistent longing for Olivia, he quickly shifts his affections to Viola (disguised as Cesario) once he learns her true identity, suggesting that his love is not as deep as he believes. Though self-absorbed, Orsino is a kind and generous ruler, forming a strong bond with Cesario and unknowingly showing signs of emotional attachment even before realizing she is a woman. His relationship with Cesario hints at an unconscious openness to love in different forms, adding complexity to his character. By the end of the play, Orsino undergoes a transformation, letting go of his exaggerated infatuation with Olivia and embracing true love with Viola. His journey from a moody, lovesick nobleman to a man capable of real affection makes him a compelling and dynamic figure in Shakespeare’s comedy.
Answer the following Questions:
a. Why does Orsino ask the musicians to play on?
Orsino asks the musicians to play because he is sad and wants music to soothe his feelings about Olivia not loving him.
b. What is the play on words in Scene I, and how does Orsino twist the meaning?
Orsino says that music "feeds" love, twisting the idea to suggest that music can make love stronger, but he’s really using it to comfort himself.
c. From the exchange between Orsino and Valentine, what do you think their relationship is?
Orsino and Valentine are close friends who trust each other and talk openly.
d. What does Valentine tell Orsino about Olivia?
Valentine tells Orsino that Olivia is mourning her brother’s death and refuses to see anyone.
e. Who is Olivia mourning and why?
Olivia is mourning her brother, who recently passed away.
f. Why is Viola concerned about what she will do in Illyria?
Viola is concerned because she is in a new place without her brother and is unsure of her future.
g. What hope does the Captain give Viola? What does he say to console her?
The Captain tells Viola that her brother might still be alive, which gives her hope.
h. How did the Captain come by the information he gives Viola about Orsino?
The Captain knows about Orsino because of his travels and what he has heard.
i. What reason does Viola give for wanting to work for Olivia?
Viola wants to work for Olivia so she can be near Orsino, the man she loves.
j. How does Viola pay the Captain a compliment?
Viola thanks the Captain for being kind and helpful, calling him generous and supportive.
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2. Answer the following with reference to context:
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it...
i. Where do these lines come from?
These lines come from "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 1.
ii. Who is the speaker, and what does music do for him?
The speaker is Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. Music soothes and comforts him, making him feel better about his unrequited love for Olivia.
iii. Is his desire to hear music temporary?
No, Orsino’s desire to hear music seems to be a way for him to keep wallowing in his emotions. It reflects his obsessive longing for Olivia.
iv. Why is the speaker in a confused state of mind following this?
Orsino is confused because he is deeply in love with Olivia, but she does not return his feelings. He seeks comfort through music, but it only amplifies his emotional turmoil.
So please my lord, I might not be admitted;
But from her handmaid do return this answer:
i. Who is speaking to whom?
The speaker is Viola (disguised as Cesario), and she is speaking to Orsino.
ii. Where is it that the speaker was not admitted?
Viola (as Cesario) was not admitted to see Olivia.
iii. Why was the speaker not admitted?
Viola was not admitted because Olivia was grieving the death of her brother and has refused to see anyone, including Orsino’s messenger.
iv. What was the answer the speaker received?
The answer Viola received was from Olivia's handmaid, who delivered the message that Olivia would not meet with Orsino or his servant, but she sent a message back instead.
My brother he is in Elysium.
Perchance he is not drown'd:
i. Who is the speaker, and who is being addressed?
The speaker is Viola, and she is speaking to the Captain.
ii. Where is the speaker?
The speaker is in Illyria, after having survived a shipwreck and arrived in a strange land.
iii. What is the reference to Elysium?
Elysium is a reference to the afterlife or a peaceful place where souls go after death, in classical mythology. Viola refers to it to express hope that her brother might still be alive, as she doesn't know for certain if he drowned.
iv. What answer does the speaker receive and in what way is it comforting?
The Captain reassures Viola by telling her that her brother might still be alive. This answer comforts her because it gives her hope, even though she doesn’t have definite proof of his survival.
Try to paraphrased versions in simple English:
a. Orsino! I have heard my father name him.
I’ve heard my father mention Orsino's name before.
b. What country, friends, is this?
What country is this, friends?
c. My brother he is in Elysium.
Perchance he is not drown'd: what think you, sailors?
My brother is in a peaceful place (Elysium). Maybe he’s not drowned. What do you think, sailors?
d. But, like a cloistress, she will veiled walk
And water once a day her chamber round
With eye-offending brine.
She lives like a nun, walking around with her face covered, and every day, she walks around her room, crying so much that her tears are hard to look at.
e. A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her
In the protection of his son, her brother,
Who shortly also died: for whose dear love,
They say, she hath abjured the company
And sight of men.
She is a good young woman, the daughter of a count who died about a year ago. After his death, she was cared for by her brother, who soon also died. They say she gave up the company of men and vowed never to be with anyone because of the deep love she had for him.
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