Comedy in Twelfth Night

Comic Characters Sir Andrew Aguecheek Sir Andrew Aguecheek Sir Toby Belch Sir Toby Belch Write down why you think they are funny. Write down why you think they are funny. Think of names, appearances, actions, speech. Think of names, appearances, actions, speech.

Who says the following? What do we learn about them? ‘What is 'Pourquoi'? do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing, dancing and bear-baiting: O, had I but followed the arts!’ ‘What is 'Pourquoi'? do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing, dancing and bear-baiting: O, had I but followed the arts!’ ‘ I'll drink to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria: he's a coward and a coistrel (A mean, paltry fellow; a coward) that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish- top.’ that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish- top.’

Sir Toby is: A drunkard A drunkard Inconsiderate Inconsiderate After Sir Andrew’s money After Sir Andrew’s money Sir Andrew is: Gullible Gullible Stupid Stupid cowardly cowardly

What do these two characters have in common? Feste – in some versions known as the clown or the fool. Feste – in some versions known as the clown or the fool. Maria Maria Write down why you think they are funny. Write down why you think they are funny. Think of names, speech, appearance, actions. Think of names, speech, appearance, actions. Are they funny in a different way from the other two? Are they funny in a different way from the other two? Why? Why?

What sort of person is Malvolio? How does Shakespeare make him funny? How does Shakespeare make him funny?

Look at these pictures. What do they tell us about the plot? Note down two contrasting scenes that you found amusing and explain why. Note down two contrasting scenes that you found amusing and explain why.

Here are some of the methods that Shakespeare uses to create humour Mistaken identity Mistaken identity A funny name A funny name pun (include pun (include joke or trick played on an unpopular character. joke or trick played on an unpopular character. Slapstick and fooling around. Slapstick and fooling around. Clever wit Clever wit A ridiculous character A ridiculous character Rudeness Rudeness

Writing your essay Decide on the point you are making. Decide on the point you are making. Find a quote or example to illustrate it. Find a quote or example to illustrate it. Explore the quotation or example: Explore the quotation or example: So remember: always PEE So remember: always PEE Point Example Explanation Shakespeare uses plays on words and puns to make the audience laugh. Shakespeare uses plays on words and puns to make the audience laugh. When in the letter scene Malvolio talks of Olivia’s ‘great P's ’ When in the letter scene Malvolio talks of Olivia’s ‘great P's ’ Shakespeare is making a pun on the word ‘P’ which can be a letter or have a ruder meaning. Shakespeare is making a pun on the word ‘P’ which can be a letter or have a ruder meaning.

Essay Title Do you think ‘Twelfth Night’ is only a comedy? Do you think ‘Twelfth Night’ is only a comedy? Look at the techniques Shakespeare has used to make it funny. Look at the techniques Shakespeare has used to make it funny. Then look at the serious elements. Then look at the serious elements. Finally give your personal opinion. Finally give your personal opinion. Remember you must quote and you must Remember you must quote and you must PEE PEE