Act V - Comprehension Questions & Answers

Act V

1. Whose letter does Feste refuse to show Fabian?

Feste refuses to show Fabian Malvolio’s letter.

2. With what disparaging term does the Clown refer to himself and Fabian?

Feste/Clown refers to himself and Fabian as Olivia’s trappings – her mere accessories.

3. Who does Antonio think Cesario (Viola) is?

Antonio thinks Cesario (Viola) is Sebastian.

4. Cesario (Viola) is accused of three things. What are these?

A. Stealing money, tricking Malvolio into thinking Lady Olivia loves him and disguising herself as a man

B. Missing the wedding, beating Sir Andrew and Sir Toby and failing in 'his' duty to woo Lady Olivia

C. Absence without leave from her ship as reported by the ship's captain who suddenly appears on stage

4. Why is Viola so confused?

Because she did not agree to marry Olivia (the audience knows this was Sebastian), she did not injure Sir Andrew and Sir Toby (the audience knows this was Sebastian too), and she has not betrayed Orsino because she never wanted to woo Olivia for herself. She cannot understand why everyone is accusing her of things she has not done.

5. Why does Olivia call in the priest?

Olivia calls in the priest to prove that Cesario was in fact secretly betrothed to her – the priest admits having been with the couple before him two hours ago.

6. Why are Sir Toby and Sir Andrew injured?

Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are injured because they were fighting with Sebastian.

7. What does Sebastian’s presence signal?

Sebastian’s presence signals the resolution of the mistaken identity plot.

8. Whom does Malvolio cast blame on in his letter?

Malvolio casts blame on Olivia.

9. With Olivia and Sebastian being the first couple, who make up the second couple?

Viola and Orsino make up the second couple.

10. What does Duke Orsino do when he realises the true identity (and gender!) of Viola?

A. Is horrified that he has revealed his closest thoughts
B. Immediately declares his love for her
C. Runs away at high speed towards the nearest cliff

11. Who make up the third pairing?

Sir Toby and Maria are the third couple to get married.

12. How does Malvolio exit?

Declaring he will take out revenge upon them all and leaves the stage angry and upset.

13. Malvolio wants satisfaction for the...

Way in which he had be cruelly abused and fooled by Maria, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian.

14. What does the play end with?

A. A song from Viola and Sebastian
B. Everyone living happily ever after
C. A rousing dance routine
D. A song from the clown