Day 4

Twelfth Night Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    When Olivia asks Sebastian to follow her into the house, he says, "Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep. If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep" (4.1.58-59). What does he mean by this? Can anything else be made of this?

    Sebastian is telling the audience that if this situation is a dream, he would like to keep sleeping and for his imagination ("fancy") to prevent his reason ("sense") from disrupting this moment (he would rather is reason steep in Lethe, one of the seven mythological rivers in Hades, which causes complete forgetfulness and oblivion to anyone who drank from it). This moment develops the meta-theatrical elements of the play, as Sebastian's desire...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11017 literature essays, 2791 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in