GCSEEnglish LiteratureEdexcelExam Questions1. ShakespeareTwelfth Night

Twelfth Night (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

Exam code: 1ET0

1 hour4 questions
1
20 marks

Read the following extract from Act 2, Scene 2 of Twelfth Night and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Viola, disguised as the young man Cesario, has visited Olivia on Orsino’s behalf. Olivia has sent her steward Malvolio after Cesario with a ring.

MALVOLIO

Were not you ev’n now with the Countess Olivia?

VIOLA

Even now, sir, on a moderate pace, I have since arrived but hither.

MALVOLIO [offering a ring]

She returns this ring to you, sir. You might have saved me my pains to have taken it away yourself. She adds, moreover, that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him. And one thing more: that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs, unless it be to report your lord’s taking of this. Receive it so.

VIOLA

She took the ring of me. I’ll none of it.

MALVOLIO

Come, sir, you peevishly threw it to her, and her will is it should be so returned.

[He throws the ring down]

If it be worth stooping for, there it lies, in your eye; if not, be it his that finds it.

[Exit]

VIOLA [picking up the ring]

I left no ring with her. What means this lady?

Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her.

She made good view of me, indeed so much

That straight methought her eyes had lost her tongue,

For she did speak in starts, distractedly.

She loves me, sure. The cunning of her passion

Invites me in this churlish messenger.

None of my lord’s ring! Why, he sent her none.

I am the man. If it be so—as ’tis—

Poor lady, she were better love a dream!

Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness

Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.

How easy is it for the proper false

In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!

Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we,

For such as we are made of, such we be.

How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly,

And I, poor monster, fond as much on him,

And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.

What will become of this? As I am man,

My state is desperate for my master’s love.

As I am woman, now, alas the day,

What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!

O time, thou must untangle this, not I.

It is too hard a knot for me t’untie.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Viola/Cesario in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

2
20 marks

In this extract, Viola realises that Olivia has fallen in love with her, while she remains loyal to her master Orsino.

Explain the importance of friendship elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

  • how friendship is presented

  • the effects friendship has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

3
20 marks

Read the following extract from Act 3, Scene 4 of Twelfth Night and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Sir Toby Belch tells Viola/Cesario that Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a dangerous enemy, is waiting for him.

SIR TOBY

That defence thou hast, betake thee to ’t; of what nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, I know not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end. Dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly.

VIOLA

You mistake, sir; I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me; my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man.

SIR TOBY

You’ll find it otherwise, I assure you; therefore, if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard; for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength, skill, and wrath can furnish man withal.

VIOLA

I pray you, sir, what is he?

SIR TOBY

He is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier, and on carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private brawl; souls and bodies hath he divorced three, and his incensement at this moment is so implacable that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre. Hob, nob, is his word; give ’t or take ’t.

VIOLA

I will return again into the house, and desire some conduct of the lady, I am no fighter. I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste their valour; belike this is a man of that quirk.

SIR TOBY

Sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury! Therefore get you on and give him his desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that with me which with as much safety you might answer him; therefore on, or strip your sword stark naked; for meddle you must, that’s certain, or forswear to wear iron about you.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Sir Toby Belch in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

4
20 marks

In this extract, Sir Toby Belch describes how Sir Andrew Aguecheek wants to challenge Viola/Cesario to a duel, to enable Sir Andrew Aguecheek to marry Olivia.

Explain the importance of marriage elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

  • how marriage is presented

  • the effects marriage has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?