Critical Analysis - Tamburlaine the Great

Tamburlaine the Great

Introduction

Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine the Great (Part I in 1587; Part II in 1588) is one of the earliest and most powerful examples of Elizabethan drama. It marked a turning point in English tragedy by introducing blank verse as the dominant dramatic medium. The play depicts the meteoric rise of Timur (Tamburlaine), a Scythian shepherd who becomes a world-conquering emperor. Marlowe explores ambition, power, human will, and hubris in ways that anticipate later Shakespearean tragedy.

Summary

The play follows Tamburlaine’s journey from humble origins to world dominion:

· Part I shows his transformation from a shepherd-bandit into an emperor. Tamburlaine defeats the Persian King Mycetes, seizes his kingdom, defeats Bajazeth (the Ottoman Sultan), humiliates him by using him as a footstool, and marries Zenocrate, daughter of the Soldan of Egypt.

· Part II deepens his imperial cruelty. Tamburlaine burns religious texts, massacres inhabitants of cities that resist him, and demonstrates ruthless ambition even after Zenocrate’s death. He attempts to conquer more lands but eventually falls ill and dies—unable to conquer death itself.

Major Themes

1. Ambition and the Will to Power

o Tamburlaine embodies the Renaissance idea of the self-made man, rising from obscurity through sheer will and military genius.

2. Hubris and Overreaching

o His defiance of divine and human limits parallels the tragic flaw of Marlowe’s other heroes like Faustus. His downfall is brought by mortality, which even he cannot conquer.

3. The Nature of Kingship and Tyranny

o Marlowe questions what legitimizes rule—birth, divine sanction, or military strength. Tamburlaine builds his empire through force, not lineage.

4. Religion and Blasphemy

o Tamburlaine mocks and defies God and religion, most vividly when he burns the Qur’an in Part II. His attitude shows Marlowe’s interest in humanism and skepticism.

5. Love and Power

o Zenocrate represents love and humanity in Tamburlaine’s life, but her death intensifies his cruelty, showing the imbalance between personal tenderness and imperial ambition.

Structure and Style

· Form: Written in blank verse, it established Marlowe’s reputation for “mighty lines.”

· Part Division: Two parts—Part I focused on rise, Part II on excess and fall.

· Imagery: Uses hyperbolic, cosmic imagery (e.g., comparisons to gods, nature, the universe).

· Characterization: Tamburlaine is larger-than-life, less human than archetypal—serving as an allegory of boundless human ambition.

· Tragic Arc: Follows a classical tragic pattern—rise, hubristic pride, and inevitable downfall.

Conclusion

Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine the Great remains a landmark in English Renaissance drama. Through Tamburlaine’s journey from shepherd to emperor, Marlowe explores the grandeur and danger of unrestrained ambition. The play reflects Renaissance humanism’s celebration of individual will, while also warning of the destructive force of pride and tyranny. Its soaring blank verse, powerful imagery, and uncompromising protagonist reshaped English theatre, inspiring contemporaries and paving the way for Shakespeare. Tamburlaine’s rise and fall dramatize both the potential and the limits of human aspiration—he conquers empires but cannot conquer mortality. In this way, the play functions both as a tribute to human greatness and as a tragic reminder of human limitation.

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 sentences)

1. Who wrote Tamburlaine the Great?

o Christopher Marlowe.

2. What was Tamburlaine’s original occupation?

o He was a Scythian shepherd.

3. Which Sultan does Tamburlaine defeat and humiliate by using him as a footstool?

o Bajazeth, the Ottoman Sultan.

4. Who is Zenocrate?

o Daughter of the Soldan of Egypt and Tamburlaine’s beloved wife.

5. What is the significance of blank verse in Tamburlaine?

o It revolutionized Elizabethan drama and became the standard form for serious plays.

Short Answer Questions (40–50 words)

1. How does Tamburlaine reflect the Renaissance ideal of the self-made man?

o Tamburlaine rises from a lowly shepherd to world emperor, relying on his intellect, courage, and willpower rather than birth or divine right. This reflects Renaissance humanism’s belief in individual potential and ambition.

2. Discuss the role of Zenocrate in Tamburlaine’s life.

o Zenocrate softens Tamburlaine, representing love and humanity amidst his conquests. Her death in Part II intensifies his cruelty, showing how personal loss deepens his obsession with power and conquest.

3. How does Marlowe present the theme of hubris in Tamburlaine?

o Tamburlaine challenges kings, gods, and even religion, embodying excessive pride. His refusal to recognize limits culminates in his attempt to conquer death, which ultimately defeats him—making his hubris his tragic flaw.

4. Why is the burning of the Qur’an in Part II significant?

o It highlights Tamburlaine’s blasphemy and rejection of divine authority. This act represents his ultimate defiance of religion, but also signals his moral decline and spiritual emptiness, which foreshadow his downfall.

5. In what ways does Tamburlaine exemplify a Marlovian tragedy?

o Like Doctor Faustus, it centers on an overreacher driven by ambition and pride, expressed in soaring blank verse. Tamburlaine’s relentless pursuit of power, disregard for divine order, and inevitable death fit Marlowe’s tragic vision.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Tamburlaine the Great is divided into how many parts?

a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer: b) Two

2. Who was the Persian king defeated early by Tamburlaine?

a) Cosroe
b) Mycetes
c) Bajazeth
d) Orcanes
Answer: b) Mycetes

3. Who describes Tamburlaine’s poetry as the “mighty line”?

a) Ben Jonson
b) William Shakespeare
c) Thomas Nashe
d) Edmund Spenser
Answer: c) Thomas Nashe

4. Which dramatic form did Marlowe popularize through Tamburlaine?

a) Prose comedy
b) Blank verse tragedy
c) Masque drama
d) Miracle play
Answer: b) Blank verse tragedy

5. Zenocrate is the daughter of which ruler?

a) Sultan of Turkey
b) Soldan of Egypt
c) Emperor of Persia
d) King of Arabia
Answer: b) Soldan of Egypt

6. In which part of Tamburlaine does Zenocrate die?

a) Part I
b) Part II
c) Both Parts
d) She survives till the end
Answer: b) Part II

7. How does Tamburlaine treat Bajazeth after defeating him?

a) He pardons him
b) He makes him his general
c) He cages him and uses him as a footstool
d) He exiles him
Answer: c) He cages him and uses him as a footstool

8. What ultimately causes Tamburlaine’s death?

a) Battlefield wound
b) Poisoning
c) Sudden illness
d) Assassination
Answer: c) Sudden illness

9. Which religious text does Tamburlaine burn in Part II?

a) The Bible
b) The Torah
c) The Qur’an
d) The Vedas
Answer: c) The Qur’an

10. What quality best defines Tamburlaine as a “Marlovian hero”?

a) Humility
b) Overreaching ambition
c) Loyalty to the state
d) Devotion to God
Answer: b) Overreaching ambition

11. Which of these rulers does Tamburlaine defeat during his conquests?

a) Caesar
b) Bajazeth
c) Richard II
d) Alexander
Answer: b) Bajazeth

12. What is the significance of Tamburlaine in English drama?

a) First printed comedy in blank verse
b) First tragedy to use blank verse extensively
c) First English history play
d) First play to be performed at the Globe
Answer: b) First tragedy to use blank verse extensively

13. Who succeeds Tamburlaine after his death?

a) His eldest son Calyphas
b) His son Amyras
c) Zenocrate’s brother
d) The Persian prince Cosroe
Answer: b) His son Amyras

14. Which of Tamburlaine’s sons refuses to fight and is killed by him?

a) Amyras
b) Calyphas
c) Celebinus
d) Bajazeth’s son
Answer: b) Calyphas

15. Marlowe’s Tamburlaine was first performed in which year?

a) 1564
b) 1587
c) 1592
d) 1600
Answer: b) 1587

King Lear - Critical Analysis

Introduction

King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, was written around 1605–1606. The play explores the devastating consequences of pride, power, betrayal, and the fragility of human relationships. It dramatizes the downfall of King Lear, who, blinded by vanity and rashness, divides his kingdom between his flattering daughters while disowning the honest one. The play is renowned for its emotional intensity, complex characterization, and profound philosophical depth.

Summary

King Lear, an aging monarch of Britain, decides to abdicate his throne and divide his kingdom among his three daughters—Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia—based on who professes the greatest love for him. Goneril and Regan deceitfully flatter him, while Cordelia, refusing to indulge in empty words, is disinherited. Lear soon discovers the ingratitude and cruelty of Goneril and Regan, who strip him of his dignity and power. Meanwhile, the subplot involves the Earl of Gloucester, betrayed by his illegitimate son Edmund, who manipulates events to his advantage.

Lear descends into madness on the stormy heath, symbolizing his inner turmoil and the chaos in the kingdom. Cordelia returns with an army to rescue her father, but they are defeated. Cordelia is hanged on Edmund’s orders, and Lear dies in grief holding her body. Justice is restored in part—Edmund is slain, and the wicked sisters die—but the tragedy concludes with overwhelming sorrow, emphasizing human frailty and the inexorable cycle of suffering.

Major Themes

Power and Pride – Lear’s tragic flaw is his vanity and rash misuse of authority, which leads to downfall.
Appearance vs. Reality – False flattery (Goneril, Regan, Edmund) triumphs initially over truth (Cordelia, Edgar).
Family and Betrayal – The play exposes the collapse of family bonds and filial ingratitude.
Justice and Fate – Raises questions about divine justice in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Madness and Insight – Lear’s descent into madness paradoxically grants him self-knowledge and humility.
Nature and Disorder – Both natural and cosmic order are disrupted, symbolized by the raging storm.

Structure of the Play

Exposition: Lear’s decision to divide the kingdom (Act I).
Rising Action: Goneril and Regan’s betrayal; Edmund’s plotting (Acts II–III).
Climax: Lear’s madness in the storm and Gloucester’s blinding (Act III).
Falling Action: Cordelia’s return and battle (Act IV).
Catastrophe/Denouement: Deaths of Cordelia, Lear, Goneril, Regan, and Edmund (Act V).

Conclusion

King Lear remains one of Shakespeare’s darkest yet most profound tragedies. It portrays not only the downfall of a king but also the universal struggle of humanity with pride, loyalty, suffering, and justice. The play’s power lies in its ability to evoke deep emotions while raising timeless questions about authority, morality, and human vulnerability. Through Lear’s journey from arrogance to humility, Shakespeare leaves us with a haunting meditation on the fragility of human bonds and the tragic cost of blindness to truth.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

(Answer in 1–2 sentences each)

What is King Lear’s tragic flaw?
Lear’s tragic flaw is his pride and vanity, which blind him to genuine love and loyalty.
Why does Cordelia refuse to flatter Lear?
Cordelia values honesty over deceit and refuses to exaggerate her love for Lear.
Who betrays Gloucester and why?
Gloucester is betrayed by his illegitimate son, Edmund, who seeks power and inheritance.
What does the storm symbolize in King Lear?
The storm mirrors Lear’s mental turmoil and the chaos in the kingdom.
How does the play end?
The play ends tragically with Cordelia’s death and Lear dying in grief.

Short Answer Type Questions (40–50 words each)

1. How does the theme of blindness operate both literally and metaphorically in King Lear?

Answer:
Blindness in King Lear is both physical and symbolic. Gloucester’s literal blinding by Cornwall mirrors Lear’s metaphorical blindness to Cordelia’s honesty and his elder daughters’ deceit. Shakespeare suggests that true insight comes not through sight but through suffering and recognition of human folly.

2. Why is the storm scene (Act III) considered central to the play’s meaning?

Answer:
The storm externalizes Lear’s inner chaos, stripping him of royal authority and forcing self-realization. It symbolizes disorder in both nature and society. On the heath, Lear confronts his mortality, madness, and powerlessness, gaining the humility that makes his tragedy profoundly human.

3. In what way does Edmund serve as a foil to Edgar in the subplot?

Answer:
Edmund embodies ambition, deception, and ruthless self-advancement, while Edgar symbolizes loyalty, endurance, and justice. Their contrasting paths—Edmund’s downfall and Edgar’s survival—mirror the moral framework of the play, reinforcing Shakespeare’s critique of treachery and affirmation of truth’s eventual triumph, despite immense suffering.

4. How does filial ingratitude shape the central conflict in King Lear?

Answer:
Filial ingratitude drives Lear’s tragedy. Goneril and Regan, after professing exaggerated love, strip Lear of dignity and power. This betrayal devastates Lear emotionally, plunging him into madness. Shakespeare highlights the destructive consequences when natural bonds of love between parent and child are corrupted by greed.

5. Why is Cordelia’s death considered one of the most shocking moments in Shakespearean tragedy?

Answer:
Cordelia’s death subverts expectations of poetic justice. Though she embodies truth and loyalty, she perishes unjustly, leaving Lear broken. This bleak ending emphasizes Shakespeare’s tragic vision, where virtue is not always rewarded, raising unsettling questions about divine justice and the randomness of human suffering.

6. How does Lear’s understanding of kingship change from the beginning to the end of the play?

Answer:
At the start, Lear equates kingship with power, pride, and ceremony. Stripped of authority and dignity, he learns kingship entails responsibility, empathy, and humility. His suffering teaches him the plight of the poor and powerless, making his tragic downfall both moral and transformative.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT a subplot in King Lear?
a) The story of Gloucester, Edgar, and Edmund
b) The story of Albany and Goneril
c) The story of Kent in disguise
d) The story of Cordelia in France
Answer: d) The story of Cordelia in France

2. Who delivers the closing lines of King Lear in the Folio text?
a) Edgar
b) Albany
c) Kent
d) Lear
Answer: a) Edgar

3. “Nothing will come of nothing.” This line is spoken by Lear to:
a) Goneril
b) Regan
c) Cordelia
d) Kent
Answer: c) Cordelia

4. Which of the following critical ideas has often been associated with King Lear?
a) “The Wheel of Fire” (G. Wilson Knight)
b) “The Great Chain of Being” (E.M.W. Tillyard)
c) “The Death of Tragedy” (George Steiner)
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

5. Which character disguises himself as “Poor Tom”?
a) Kent
b) Edgar
c) Edmund
d) Oswald
Answer: b) Edgar

6. Which of the following thematic contrasts runs throughout King Lear?
a) Blindness vs. insight
b) Natural law vs. social law
c) Order vs. chaos
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

7. In Nahum Tate’s adaptation (1681) of King Lear:
a) Lear dies of grief as in Shakespeare’s version
b) Cordelia is killed
c) Lear and Cordelia survive, and Cordelia marries Edgar
d) Edmund becomes king
Answer: c) Lear and Cordelia survive, and Cordelia marries Edgar

8. “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / They kill us for their sport.” Who says this?
a) Gloucester
b) Lear
c) Kent
d) Edgar
Answer: a) Gloucester

9. Which of these is TRUE of King Lear?
a) It belongs to Shakespeare’s late romances.
b) It was first published in the 1608 Quarto edition.
c) It has no subplot.
d) It ends with Lear restored to his throne.
Answer: b) It was first published in the 1608 Quarto edition.

10. Which feminist critic argued that King Lear demonstrates the cultural anxieties around female power?
a) Elaine Showalter
b) Marilyn French
c) Coppelia Kahn
d) Sandra Gilbert
Answer: c) Coppelia Kahn

11. Match the character with the role in King Lear:
(i) Edmund – (a) Disguises himself as “Poor Tom”
(ii) Edgar – (b) Loyal nobleman who is banished
(iii) Kent – (c) Illegitimate son who schemes for power
(iv) Cordelia – (d) Refuses to flatter Lear with hollow words

Options:
A. (i–c), (ii–a), (iii–b), (iv–d)
B. (i–a), (ii–c), (iii–d), (iv–b)
C. (i–d), (ii–b), (iii–c), (iv–a)
D. (i–c), (ii–b), (iii–a), (iv–d)

Answer: A

12. Assertion (A): The storm scene in King Lear is considered the climax of the play.
Reason (R): It externalizes Lear’s inner turmoil and the disintegration of natural and social order.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true

13. Which of the following pairs is CORRECT regarding the thematic parallels in King Lear?
a) Lear’s blindness to truth – Gloucester’s physical blindness
b) Cordelia’s silence – Kent’s verbosity
c) Edmund’s illegitimacy – Lear’s legitimacy
d) Lear’s death – Albany’s survival

Answer: a

14. Arrange the following events in correct order:
i. Gloucester is blinded
ii. Cordelia returns with a French army
iii. Lear divides his kingdom
iv. Edmund is killed

Options:
A. iii, i, ii, iv
B. iii, ii, i, iv
C. ii, iii, iv, i
D. i, iii, ii, iv

Answer: A

15. Who among the following critics described King Lear as a “tragedy of the absurd”?
a) Northrop Frye
b) Jan Kott
c) Harold Bloom
d) F.R. Leavis

Answer: b) Jan Kott

Critical Analysis - Twelfth Night

Introduction

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will is one of his most enduring romantic comedies, believed to have been written around 1601–02. It blends themes of love, identity, disguise, and festivity with wit, music, and a celebration of life’s unpredictability. Set in Illyria, the play explores mistaken identities and unrequited love, culminating in reconciliation and comic resolution.

Summary

The play begins with a shipwreck that separates twins, Viola and Sebastian. Believing her brother dead, Viola disguises herself as a young man, Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia, who refuses his advances, mourning her brother’s death. However, Olivia falls for Cesario (Viola in disguise), creating a comic love triangle.

Meanwhile, the subplot involves Olivia’s steward Malvolio, tricked by Maria, Sir Toby Belch, and others into believing Olivia loves him, producing some of the play’s funniest scenes. Eventually, Sebastian reappears, leading to mistaken identities being cleared. Viola’s true identity is revealed, she is united with Orsino, Olivia marries Sebastian, and the play ends with celebration, though Malvolio vows revenge.

Major Themes

Love and Desire – The play explores various forms of love: romantic, unrequited, self-love, and friendship. The love triangle (Orsino–Viola–Olivia) highlights love’s irrational nature.
Disguise and Identity – Viola’s disguise as Cesario drives the plot, blurring gender roles and questioning identity and attraction.
Folly and Festivity – True to festive comedy, Twelfth Night celebrates misrule, trickery, and merriment while mocking pretentiousness, especially in Malvolio’s self-love.
Melancholy vs. Joy – The contrast between Orsino’s lovesickness, Olivia’s mourning, and the comic subplot emphasizes human emotional range.
Order Restored – The play ends in marriages and reconciliations, showing comedy’s power to restore social harmony after chaos.

Very Short Answer Type Questions (1–2 lines)

Who are the twins in Twelfth Night?

Viola and Sebastian.

What disguise does Viola adopt?

She disguises herself as Cesario, a young man.

Who falls in love with Cesario?

Lady Olivia.

Who tricks Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him?

Maria, Sir Toby, and others.

What is the subtitle of Twelfth Night?

What You Will.

Short Answer Type Questions (40–50 words each)

Discuss the role of disguise in Twelfth Night.

Disguise is central to the play’s plot. Viola’s disguise as Cesario causes confusion, mistaken identity, and comic complications. It challenges gender roles and highlights how appearances deceive. The disguise eventually leads to truth and reconciliation, underscoring Shakespeare’s interest in identity and love’s unpredictability.

How is Malvolio important in the play?

Malvolio provides a satirical contrast to the joyous spirit of Illyria. His ambition and self-love make him an easy target for ridicule. The prank against him brings humour but also raises questions about cruelty, class, and festivity’s darker side, making him both comic and tragic.

What does Twelfth Night suggest about love?

The play presents love as irrational, transformative, and often painful. Orsino’s melodramatic passion, Olivia’s sudden infatuation with Cesario, and Viola’s quiet devotion reveal love’s many forms. Ultimately, true love triumphs, but Shakespeare shows its complexity, suggesting love is both folly and fulfilment.

Explain the significance of the subtitle “What You Will.”

The subtitle emphasizes the play’s playful and open-ended nature. It reflects Shakespeare’s refusal to limit interpretation, inviting audiences to take from it “what they will.” It aligns with the festive spirit, flexibility of identity, and multiple possibilities the play offers in meaning and resolution.

How does the subplot enhance the main plot in Twelfth Night?

The comic subplot with Malvolio, Sir Toby, and Maria parallels the main story of love and disguise by exploring folly and deception. It adds humour, balances the romance with satire, and deepens the play’s exploration of human vanity, ambition, and the contrast between festivity and order.

MCQs

1. Who is the Duke of Illyria in Twelfth Night?

a) Sir Toby Belch
b) Orsino
c) Sebastian
d) Antonio
Answer: b) Orsino

2. Viola disguises herself as a man with the name:

a) Sebastian
b) Cesario
c) Antonio
d) Fabian
Answer: b) Cesario

3. Which character is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him?

a) Sir Andrew
b) Malvolio
c) Feste
d) Orsino
Answer: b) Malvolio

4. Who says the famous line “If music be the food of love, play on”?

a) Viola
b) Feste
c) Orsino
d) Olivia
Answer: c) Orsino

5. Who marries Olivia at the end of the play?

a) Orsino
b) Malvolio
c) Sebastian
d) Cesario
Answer: c) Sebastian

6. Which character is a clown and a fool but is often the wisest in the play?

a) Fabian
b) Sir Toby
c) Feste
d) Antonio
Answer: c) Feste

7. What is the relationship between Viola and Sebastian?

a) Cousins
b) Twins
c) Strangers
d) Friends
Answer: b) Twins

8. Who is Sir Toby Belch’s companion in drinking and mischief?

a) Malvolio
b) Fabian
c) Sir Andrew Aguecheek
d) Antonio
Answer: c) Sir Andrew Aguecheek

9. What causes confusion between Viola (Cesario) and Sebastian?

a) Their similar dress
b) Their twin-like appearance
c) A mistaken letter
d) Their similar voices
Answer: b) Their twin-like appearance

10. Which theme is central to Twelfth Night?

a) Political power
b) Love and disguise
c) War and peace
d) Fate and destiny
Answer: b) Love and disguise

UGC NET PYQs

Q1. (NET, 2012)

In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, who says:
“Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit”?
a) Viola
b) Feste
c) Malvolio
d) Sir Toby
Answer: b) Feste

Q2. (NET, 2014)

Match the following Shakespearean plays with their opening lines:

List I (Play) | List II (Opening Line)

1. Twelfth Night | A. “If music be the food of love, play on.”

2. Macbeth | B. “When shall we three meet again?”

3. Hamlet | C. “Who’s there?”

4. The Tempest | D. “Boatswain!”

Codes:
1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

Q3. (NET, 2016)

In Twelfth Night, Malvolio is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him through:
a) A forged letter
b) A disguised voice
c) A mistaken gift
d) A dream
Answer: a) A forged letter

Q4. (NET, 2019)

Which of the following is NOT true about Twelfth Night?
a) It deals with mistaken identities
b) It is a comedy of love and disguise
c) It is set in Illyria
d) It ends with the marriage of Malvolio and Olivia
Answer: d) It ends with the marriage of Malvolio and Olivia

Q5. (NET, 2021)

Arrange the following Shakespearean plays in the order of their publication:
(i) Twelfth Night
(ii) Hamlet
(iii) Othello
(iv) King Lear

Answer: (ii) Hamlet → (i) Twelfth Night → (iii) Othello → (iv) King Lear

MCQs

1. Who is the Duke of Illyria in Twelfth Night?

a) Sir Toby Belch
b) Orsino
c) Sebastian
d) Antonio
Answer: b) Orsino

2. Viola disguises herself as a man with the name:

a) Sebastian
b) Cesario
c) Antonio
d) Fabian
Answer: b) Cesario

3. Which character is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him?

a) Sir Andrew
b) Malvolio
c) Feste
d) Orsino
Answer: b) Malvolio

4. Who says the famous line “If music be the food of love, play on”?

a) Viola
b) Feste
c) Orsino
d) Olivia
Answer: c) Orsino

5. Who marries Olivia at the end of the play?

a) Orsino
b) Malvolio
c) Sebastian
d) Cesario
Answer: c) Sebastian

6. Which character is a clown and a fool but is often the wisest in the play?

a) Fabian
b) Sir Toby
c) Feste
d) Antonio
Answer: c) Feste

7. What is the relationship between Viola and Sebastian?

a) Cousins
b) Twins
c) Strangers
d) Friends
Answer: b) Twins

8. Who is Sir Toby Belch’s companion in drinking and mischief?

a) Malvolio
b) Fabian
c) Sir Andrew Aguecheek
d) Antonio
Answer: c) Sir Andrew Aguecheek

9. What causes confusion between Viola (Cesario) and Sebastian?

a) Their similar dress
b) Their twin-like appearance
c) A mistaken letter
d) Their similar voices
Answer: b) Their twin-like appearance

10. Which theme is central to Twelfth Night?

a) Political power
b) Love and disguise
c) War and peace
d) Fate and destiny
Answer: b) Love and disguise

UGC NET PYQs

Q1. (NET, 2012)

In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, who says:
“Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit”?
a) Viola
b) Feste
c) Malvolio
d) Sir Toby
Answer: b) Feste

Q2. (NET, 2014)

Match the following Shakespearean plays with their opening lines:

List I (Play) | List II (Opening Line)

1. Twelfth Night | A. “If music be the food of love, play on.”

2. Macbeth | B. “When shall we three meet again?”

3. Hamlet | C. “Who’s there?”

4. The Tempest | D. “Boatswain!”

Codes:
1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

Q3. (NET, 2016)

In Twelfth Night, Malvolio is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him through:
a) A forged letter
b) A disguised voice
c) A mistaken gift
d) A dream
Answer: a) A forged letter

Q4. (NET, 2019)

Q5. (NET, 2021)

Arrange the following Shakespearean plays in the order of their publication:
(i) Twelfth Night
(ii) Hamlet
(iii) Othello
(iv) King Lear

Answer: (ii) Hamlet → (i) Twelfth Night → (iii) Othello → (iv) King Lear

Critical Analysis - As You Like It (UGC NET /Unit I - Drama)

Critical Analysis - As You Like It

Introduction

William Shakespeare’s As You Like It (1599) is one of his most enduring comedies, blending the traditions of pastoral romance with witty satire, courtly intrigue, and philosophical reflection. Set against the contrasting backgrounds of the corrupt court and the idyllic Forest of Arden, the play explores love, identity, exile, and reconciliation. Its charm lies in its humour, memorable characters, and philosophical undertones—particularly Jaques’ famous meditation on life, “All the world’s a stage.”

The play continues to be significant for modern readers and critics because it interrogates the nature of gender roles (through Rosalind’s disguise as Ganymede), the tension between artifice and nature, and the human desire for freedom. It is a text that bridges light-hearted comedy with deep reflection on the stages of life.

Summary

The play opens with family conflict—Orlando, deprived of his inheritance by his brother Oliver, seeks justice. Meanwhile, Duke Frederick has usurped his elder brother, Duke Senior, who now lives in exile in the Forest of Arden. Rosalind, Duke Senior’s daughter, falls in love with Orlando. However, when she is banished from the court, she flees with her cousin Celia into the forest, disguising herself as a young man named Ganymede.

In the Forest of Arden, exiled courtiers, shepherds, and lovers intermingle. Rosalind (as Ganymede) cleverly tests Orlando’s love by making him woo her in disguise. Jaques, a melancholy observer, offers philosophical reflections, while Touchstone, the court fool, brings comic relief. Love takes many forms—faithful, foolish, unrequited, and satirical—until the final act, where misunderstandings are resolved. The play ends with four marriages (Rosalind–Orlando, Celia–Oliver, Touchstone–Audrey, Silvius–Phoebe) and the restoration of Duke Senior to power, embodying the Shakespearean comic tradition of harmony and reconciliation.

Themes

1. Pastoral Ideal vs. Court Life

o The court symbolizes corruption, rivalry, and greed, while the Forest of Arden represents freedom, natural simplicity, and renewal.

2. Love in Its Varieties

o Shakespeare presents love in different shades: romantic (Rosalind–Orlando), companionate (Celia–Oliver), satirical (Touchstone–Audrey), and unrequited (Silvius–Phoebe).

3. Disguise, Identity, and Gender Roles

o Rosalind’s disguise as Ganymede complicates gender and identity, allowing Shakespeare to question social roles and highlight the performative nature of love and gender.

4. Exile and Freedom

o Exile, usually considered a punishment, becomes liberating in Arden, where characters find self-discovery, joy, and reconciliation.

5. Philosophy of Life

o Through Jaques’ “Seven Ages of Man” speech, Shakespeare reflects on the transience of human life, adding a contemplative dimension to the comedy.

6. Comedy, Reconciliation, and Harmony

o The play concludes with multiple marriages and restored political order, reaffirming the comic ideal of social harmony.

Critical Perspective

· As You Like It is often read as a pastoral comedy, but Shakespeare complicates the idealized pastoral vision with satire and realism, especially through Jaques’ melancholy skepticism and Touchstone’s wit.

· Rosalind emerges as one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic heroines—intelligent, witty, and in control of her destiny, unlike many traditional female characters of the time.

· The play reflects Shakespeare’s interest in performance and identity, as Rosalind’s male disguise blurs gender roles, especially in the Elizabethan stage context where a boy actor played a woman disguised as a boy.

· The balance between romantic joy and philosophical depth makes the play both lighthearted and intellectually engaging.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who usurps Duke Senior’s dukedom?
a) Oliver
b) Orlando
c) Duke Frederick
d) Jaques

Ans: c

2. What disguise does Rosalind assume in the forest of Arden?
a) A shepherdess
b) Ganymede
c) Phoebe
d) Audrey

Ans: b

3. Which character delivers the famous line “All the world’s a stage”?
a) Orlando
b) Touchstone
c) Jaques
d) Duke Senior

Ans: c

4. Who eventually marries Celia?
a) Silvius
b) Oliver
c) Jaques
d) Duke Frederick

Ans: b

5. The Forest of Arden symbolizes:
a) Revenge and war
b) Courtly corruption
c) Pastoral simplicity and freedom
d) Tragic fate

Ans: c

UGC NET PYQs

1. (UGC NET 2014)
Match the following characters with their partners in As You Like It:

o Rosalind → ?

o Celia → ?

o Touchstone → ?

o Phoebe → ?

Answer: Rosalind–Orlando, Celia–Oliver, Touchstone–Audrey, Phoebe–Silvius

2. (UGC NET 2016)
The speech “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” occurs in:
a) Hamlet
b) As You Like It
c) Measure for Measure
d) Twelfth Night

Ans: b

3. (UGC NET 2020)
Which Shakespearean play most explicitly represents the pastoral tradition?
a) King Lear
b) As You Like It
c) Othello
d) Macbeth

Ans: b

4. (UGC NET 2012)
Identify the Shakespearean comedy that ends with multiple marriages and the restoration of social harmony.
Answer: As You Like It

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Who is the heroine of As You Like It?
Ans. Rosalind is the heroine of As You Like It.

Q2. Where does most of the action in the play take place?
Ans. In the Forest of Arden.

Q3. Who delivers the speech “All the world’s a stage”?
Ans. Jaques delivers it.

Q4. What name does Rosalind adopt in her disguise?
Ans. She disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede.

Q5. Who is Duke Senior’s daughter?
Ans. Rosalind is Duke Senior’s daughter.

Q6. Who marries Celia at the end?
Ans. Celia marries Oliver.

Q7. Name any two pairs of lovers in the play.
Ans. Rosalind–Orlando and Celia–Oliver.

Q8. Who is Touchstone?
Ans. Touchstone is the court jester (fool) of Duke Frederick’s court.

Q9. Who is the usurper in the play?
Ans. Duke Frederick, who usurps Duke Senior’s dukedom.

Q10. What happens to Duke Frederick in the end?
Ans. He repents, restores the dukedom, and becomes religious.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why does Rosalind disguise herself as Ganymede?

Ans. Rosalind disguises herself as Ganymede for safety in the Forest of Arden after her banishment. The disguise also allows her to interact freely with Orlando and test his love for her.

Q2. How does Shakespeare contrast the court and the forest?

Ans. The court is shown as corrupt, dangerous, and full of envy, while the Forest of Arden symbolizes freedom, peace, and natural harmony. The forest becomes a place of transformation, love, and reconciliation.

Q3. What is the role of Jaques in the play?

Ans. Jaques is a melancholy observer who comments on life with wit and philosophy. His “Seven Ages of Man” speech adds depth and seriousness to the otherwise joyful pastoral comedy.

Q4. How does Orlando prove his love for Rosalind?

Ans. Orlando hangs love poems on the trees of the forest, praises her beauty, and shows sincerity in his devotion. Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, further tests and confirms his loyalty.

Q5. What role does music and song play in As You Like It?

Ans. Songs in the play enhance its pastoral atmosphere, celebrate nature, love, and freedom, and often comment on the action. For example, “Under the greenwood tree” emphasizes simple forest life.