Twelfth Night Flashcards
What year was Shakespeare born?
1564
What year did he die?
1616
In the Tudor era, what was the major change to the social classes of the preceding periods?
The addition of the gentry and yeomanry classes
What was the name of Shakespeare’s Theatre Troupe and why were they called that?
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men; named after their main sponsor/patron
What was the name of the playhouse they performed at?
The Globe
Define “iambic pentameter.”
A meter of 5 unstressed and 5 stressed syllables
Define “blank verse.”
Unrhymed iambic pentameter
Who speaks in blank verse as opposed to prose in Shakespeare?
The nobility– in rank and personality– speak in blank verse, while the poor in rank and personality speak in prose.
In Twelfth Night specifically, what is unique about the speech first of Orsino, then Viola/Cesario, and eventually Olivia and why?
The speech of each character tends to use rhymes. This expresses their heightened emotions.
What is “implied stage business?” Give an example.
An implied action; the hints are usually in the character’s lines. An example is when Malvolio kisses his hands in front of Olivia.
Define a soliloquy.
A speech expressing a character’s innermost thoughts; it is performed by one person who is alone on stage.
What is an aside?
A line– or multiple– spoken in a way that another character on stage is not supposed to hear.
Who were the gentry?
Minor nobles
Who were the yeomanry?
Middle class
