Amidsummernightsdream

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Act I, Scene 1 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? She thinks that, even though they seem long. It is going to pass very quickly

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? He has brought them to Theseus because Hermia loves Lysander but Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius. So he came to ask if Theseus would grant him the power to force his daughter to marry or the ability to kill her.

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? That the daughter had to marry who the father wanted them too, or they would get to kill them.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Because he wants Egeus to change his mind about him, possibly hoping that he would then say that Lysander could marry Hermia.

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? They plan to go to Lysander’s aunt house just outside of the Athen’s law. They tell Helena because they know that she likes him, but he loves Hermia, also so she feels like Hermia isn’t there to “take” him from Helena.

6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans? Because if she odes then she thinks he will fall in love with her again.

7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? He wants her to marry Lysander. Theseus says that Hermia has three choices, 1 she can marry Demetrius like her father wants, 2 her father has the right to kill her if she doesn’t marry him or 3 she can join a nunnery. Lysander suggestions that they elope and get married at his aunt’s house.

Act I, Scene 2

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? He thinks he could play all the parts because he thinks he is the best actor and he could play all the parts.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because of all the examples Bottom gives to prove that he could play all of the characters.

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? The plan on meeting in the forest, at the same time as Hermia and Lysander.

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? He is pretty good but lacks experience. Bottom himself makes it seem like he could play any role with "award winning” efforts.

Act II, Sene 1

10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?

Because he said for them not to meet for they will only fight.

11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens?

Oberon had a relationship with Hippolyta and Titania had one with Theseus

12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?

It has brought disasters and bad luck to the mortals and to nature.

13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?

Because he is the son of a very loyal servant and she promised her she would take care of him.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?

The Pansies flowers that where struck by cupids arrow

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?

To make her fall in love with a beast with the Pansies.

16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse?

She says that she will only love him more if he puts her down and that she is like his dog and will always follow him and love him.

17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?

That he is the world to her.

18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women?

Because she should be woo'ed not woo.

19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?

To make Demetrius fall in love with Helena.

Act II, Scene 2

20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?

Because he thinks she cheated on him and also that she wont give him the boy for him to train

21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?

Because they are not married yet.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?

Becuase he thinks he is Demetrius

23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens?

She thinks he is playing a cruel joke

24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality?

Because Lysander now loves Helena.

Act III, Scene 1

25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars?

By writing a monolog

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall?

The moon is shining on the night they preform so they are going to leave the window open, and they are using a actor as wall

27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears?

Because he has the head of a donkey

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors?

Scare them

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?

Surprised and liking the attention

30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play?

Because at that point everything is all messed us

Act III, Scene 2

31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?

Killing Lysandor in his sleep

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake?

By putting the potion in Lysandors eyes

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along?

Yes, but she does not see any reason of why he should and thinks that they are all playing a joke on her

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?

She thinks she is part of the big joke.

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past?

They have been very close friends

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says?

He says that he hates her and that he loves Helena, she cant believe it because she does not see any reason for Lysandor to stop loving her

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?

Of being a thief of love and stealing her lover

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?

Because in school she was a victim and is not mean and quick

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do?

Fight to the death

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men?

Lead them off in different directions

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?

He is going to free her from the love potion

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day?

Because he still has power in the day

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?

It works very well

==== **Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of //A Midsummer Night’s Dream// comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.** ====


 * Titania falls in love with bottom
 * Oberon finds out that puck made a mistake
 * Demetrius falls in love with Helena
 * Helena thinks it is all a big joke
 * Hermia finds Lysandor and he says that he hates her
 * Helena now thinks everyone is against her
 * Hermia and Helena have huge fight
 * Lysandor and Demetrius go off to fight
 * Oberon tells puck to lead them in different directions
 * Lysandor and Demetrius and separated and fall asleep
 * The potion is put in Lysandor's eyes

Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? He really likes it 45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? He thinks it is time to end it 46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? That it was all a dream 47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They are celebrating the May morning 48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? That they are also there for the may morning 49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? That he loves Helena, he is saying that he did not love her because he was sick and now he is well and loves her 50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? That they will all get married 51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? Because everything seems small and far away. 52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? By writing a ballad Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? They miss him and want him to be there because they need him 54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? Sixpence's 55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? So they can preform the play

Extending the thought process.
==== a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character? ====

I think he is full of himself, and Theseus's is not.
==== b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience? ====

They all think about it and find it very strange, Demeitrus now loves Helena
==== c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation? ==== He is saying that love is a hard and long road but is worth it in the end. === Act 4 Podcast: Bottom decides to commission Peter Quince to write a ballad called “Bottom’s Dream.” On your own or with a partner, imagine that you have been asked to write the lyrics and compose the musical accompaniment. Remember that at the beginning of act 4, Bottom told the fairies that he likes to listen to the “tongs and bones” (act 4, scene 1, line 30). Tongs were pieces of metal struck against each other and bones were actual bones. These instruments were used in comical or in less sophisticated musical performances. Write the poetry for the ballad ( a minimum of 2 stanzas, 4 lines each), then put it to music! ===

Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? Because they are crazy stories 57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? Because he does not like the other ones and this one seems unique 58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? He said that it is a very poor play and that he would give them a chance. 59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? I think it means to not over complicate things and to go with the flow. 60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? Nothing 61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? He shows them making fun of it and making comments on how bad it is 62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? She does not like it but when it becomes more serious she cries 63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Because he is supposed to be dead 64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? To cast a spell on the audience and to show that all is well to signify that all is well Extending the thought process:

FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example. excessive alliteration "die die die die die die"

breaking the play’s illusion of reality When that wall talks and says he is leaving using the wrong word or name "deflowered" repeating a word excessively "die die die die die die" ridiculous metaphor

=== a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers? ===

It lets you see that that audience is making fun of them to show that they think it is bad acting aswell.
=== b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of? ===

The Boondocks
=== c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier? === Because it shows that the actors are in love for real and the everyone else has been fighting a changeing how they love so thisis ironic because it what they have now.

Moon Images

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Bottom's Ballad

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