William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night:
Lesson plans and other teaching resources

Alphabet Poetry
Students keep a journal of the compliments and kind words used to describe the various characters. At play's end, they create similar poetic phrase and write acrostics about themselves and others. This lesson is designed for eighth graders.

"As tall a man as any's in Illyria": Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and the Art of Political Cartooning
After reading Act II, scene iii, students look closely at Malvolio, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew. They compare behavior with a 17th-century political cartoon. A good character analysis activity.

"Blame not this haste of mine": Creating a scene for Twelfth Night
After readign Act IV, scene iii, students write the conversation that must have occurred between Olivia and Sebastian.

Electronic Text Exercises on Twelfth Night
Extensive questions for exploration.

Enjoying Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Extensive commentary and related links from a Shakespeare enthusiast.

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Analysis and study questions. These resources are designed for college-level students.

"... styles, like persons, are interchangeable"
An analytical essay.

Twelfth Night
This text of the play includes links to unfamiliar vocabulary.

Twelfth Night
A reader can search this text of the play for specific words and phrases.

Twelfth Night
Study guide and review questions.

Twelfth Night
A variety of teaching resources for before, during, and after reading the play. Graphics-intense.

Twelfth Night
Plot summary, themes, imagery, discussion questions, more.

Twelfth Night
This site focuses on comparing and contrasting the play with the film version by Trevor Nunn.

Twelfth Night
Links to scholarship and texts of the play.

Twelfth Night
Synopsis and 3 lessons. Access to this 38-page document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application.

Twelfth Night Revision
"Revision" here is in the sense of "looking again." In addition to summaries and quizzes, this page links to online games that help students review. My favorites: Shakespeare Shootout, with the Bard as a soccer goalie, and Fling the Teacher.

Twelfth Night, or What you Will Study Guide
Plot summary, commentary, and character analysis.

Viciousness in Twelfth Night and Lord of the Flies
"Students may have trouble understanding the treatment of Malvolio. Comparing the behavior of the boys in Lord of the Flies with the adult characters in Twelfth Night may help students shed light on both texts."

William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Background, scene summaries and questions, an essay question, and a link to the complete works.