Twelfth Night

# Essay Prompt: *Twelfth Night* by William Shakespeare **Prompt:** In *Twelfth Night*, Shakespeare uses disguise and mistaken identity not just for laughs, but also to reveal the fluidity of gender, social class, and desire in Elizabethan society. **Write a well-organized essay arguing how Shakespeare uses the motif of disguise—especially through Viola's role as "Cesario"—to challenge or uphold the social and gender hierarchies of his time.** Your essay should examine specific scenes, character interactions, and language choices to back up your argument. --- **Suggested Considerations (you do not need to address all of these):** - How does Viola's disguise as a man enable her to access power dynamics that women typically cannot? - In what ways does Olivia's affection for "Cesario" disrupt traditional ideas of gender and desire? - Does the play ultimately restore social order, or does it leave some hierarchies in a state of uncertainty? - How does Feste's role as a fool reflect the performative aspect of identity throughout the play? --- **Requirements:** - Create a clear, defensible thesis in your introduction. - Support your argument with at least **three pieces of textual evidence**, including direct quotes. - Address and counter at least **one counterargument**. - Wrap up by linking your argument to a broader thematic or historical context.

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# Essay Prompt: *Twelfth Night* by William Shakespeare **Prompt:** In *Twelfth Night*, Shakespeare employs disguise and mistaken identity not just for comedic effect, but as a way to reveal the fluidity of gender, social class, and desire in Elizabethan society. **Write a well-organized essay in which you argue how Shakespeare uses disguise — especially Viola's take on the persona of "Cesario" — to either challenge or uphold the social and gender norms of his era.** Your essay should: 1. Present a clear, debatable **thesis** that states what Shakespeare ultimately *suggests* through the use of disguise. 2. Use **at least three specific pieces of textual evidence** (direct quotations or detailed scene references) to back up your claim. 3. Address a **counterargument**: think about how the play's ending (the return to "proper" gender roles and marriages) might complicate or weaken your thesis. 4. Conclude by reflecting on the **broader significance** of your argument — what insights does Shakespeare provide about the essence of identity itself? **Suggested length:** 4–6 paragraphs **Tip:** Reflect on how other characters (Olivia, Orsino, Malvolio) react to Cesario/Viola, and what those reactions reveal about their own desires and beliefs.

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