A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

__**“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?

Theseus wants these 4 days to pass by very quickly. He is impatient and cannot wait for the night of their wedding. Hippolyta comforts Theseus by saying that it will go by fast enough and the weight just makes that night and the wedding even more enjoyable.

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?

Egeus has brought his daughter to Theseus because she refuses to marry Demetrius(who her father wants her to marry) and instead insists on marrying Lysander. Theseus is the Duke of Athens, he has all of the power and Egeus wants and expects Thesus to give him permission to kill his only daughter if she refuses to marry Demetrius.

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?

Women and daughters in that time were like objects. They had to obey the men in their life(husband or father). If their father had a man in mind to be their daughter's husband the child must obey, or be sentenced to a punishment, even death. Theseus decides that Hermia can marry Demetrius, be killed by her father, or live in a nunnery, single all her life.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?

Now, Demetrius and Lysander hate each other even more. Lysander brings up the point that how is Hermia supposed to trust Demetrius if he cheats on her with Helena and possibly other woman in the future. Also Helena and Hermia are best friends, so it makes things awkward between them.

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?

They decide that they will flee from Athens so that the laws of Athens can no longer touch them, meaning that they will be able to get married. Their first step is to meet the next night in the forest by a rock, and leave together. They tell Helena so that she will no longer believe that Hermia loves Demetrius feeling that there isn't any more competition.

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?

She thinks that he will begin to understand that Hermia doesn't love him anymore also she believes that that might make him start to love 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

She is being forced into marriage to Demetrius and **does not** want to marry him she doesn't love him. She **does** want to marry Lysander, and she and him have mutual feelings for each other. Egeus wants Hermia to either marry Demetrius or be killed. Theseus comes up with a third option of living the rest of her life in a nunnery. Lysander suggests that Hermia and him flee Athens, and get married in another city where these laws cannot affect them.

Act I, Scene 2

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?

Nick Bottom feels as if he is the best actor, he wants to become famous. He feels as if he can play all of the parts very well and he wants to be the only actor, acting as every character in the play. He has a huge ego and is very selfcentered.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?

This scene is funny because Bottom has such ridiculous confidence and a huge ego, he humiliated himself by showing of his acting skills. I think that Shakespeare probably included this play because he wanted to give us a hint of who Bottom really is, showing us the main aspects of his personality.

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?

They are to meet in the woods, which is the exact same place as Hermia and Lysander were set to meet.

11. How would you decribe Bottom's acting ability? What is Bottom's own opinion of his acting ability?

Bottom believes that he himself is an amazing and talented actor, although others may not agree. I don't think that he is the best actor, but he's not the worst either, jus about average.

Act 1 Podcast: Night/Moon/Dreamsmedia type="file" key="ACT 1 PODCAST.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Bailey and Maddie G.

Act II, Scene 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?

Puck and the first fairy indicate that when ever Oberon and Titania are speaking to one another they will always begin to fight.

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

In the past Oberon had a relationship with Hippolyta and Titania with Theseus. They accuse each other of infidelity. They have come to Athens to attend Hippolyta and Theseus' wedding.

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

When they fight, it affects others. The weather reflects their moods. For example, it causes huge winds, flooding, and diseases that effect humans. Their quarrels also effect the change of seasons.

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

She believes that it is her duty to watch over this child and protect him with her life since this child belonged to her dearest friend. She promised her friend that she would look after him if any thing were to happen to her. Titania's friend, a mortal died.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?

Oberon sends Puck to find these special flowers that were blessed with cupid's arrow. It is believed that if the juice from the fower is placed on one's eyelid, while they are sleeping, they will fall in love with the first person/creature they see.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?

He plans on putting this magical flower juice on her eyelids while she is sleeping, then when she wakes up there will be a ridiculous beast in front of her. Once she has been treated like a fool, and learned her "lesson", then Oberon will take off the spell, or so he says.

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

She has amazing comebacks, and is always positive and optimistic towards his harsh words.

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

Helena says "the more you beat me, I will fawn on you", meaning all of the abuse he gives her only makes her want to love Demetrius even more.

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

Athenian women were supposedly "dignified" and proper; Helena is showing her crazy, foolish side. She isn't showing respect to Demetrius' feelings. She will not give up.

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

Oberon tells Puck to place the juice of the flowers on the Athenian man's eyelids to stop them from fighting. Oberon overheard their quarrel, and takes it upon himself to fix their problems.

Act II, Scene 2

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

Oberon believes that this a way of revenge, over Titania loving this little child and not giving him up to Oberon.

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

They aren't married yet and she wants to stay "modest". She feels as if he may have some ideas in the night, and Hermia wants to make sure he does not go through with them.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?

He was told by Oberon to look for a man in Athenian clothing. Puck believes that Lysander is actually Demetrius, he doesn't know that there are 2 Athenian men in the forest.

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

She thinks that he is disrespecting her by playing a silly joke on her. She then becomes annoyed by how he is treating her and begins to question him. Helena believes that there is no rational explanation behind Lysander's random love act, so it must not be true.

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

Her dream was that there was a serpent that ripped out her heart. This is a reflection on reality since, while Hermia is sleeping Lysander says that he does not love her anymore, in a way her heart is metaphorically being ripped out.

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?

Before the scene where Pyramus kills himself, they are going to get Bottom to say a prologue, explaining that he is Bottom the weaver and he is not really killing himself. The lion is going to also say a bit of a prologue but he will also be seen through half of the lion costume's neck.

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

They will get somebody to dress up as the wall, that person will be covered in plaster and some rough-cast. The hole that Pyramus and Thisbe communicate through will be made from the character's hand. The moonlight will be played as a character as well, this character will carry a lantern, representing "moonlight".

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

Bottom's head has been transformed into that of a donkey thanks to Puck. Bottom does not realize this but everyone is frightened when they see him, and they all run away.

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

He plans on turning one into a hidious beast for Titania's love, but also watching them, amused at their stupidity.

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

Bottom is confused by Titania's sudden love, he realizes that there is no reason for her to love him. He decides to let her love him. He plays around with the other fairies, making jokes and teasing them.

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

This saying is relevant to most of the love situations in the play thus far. It means that there isn't any reason for Titania to love him. Helena was thinking the same thing; why is Demetrius and Lysander suddenly found an interest in me, and loving me?

Act III, Scene 2

31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?

Hermi accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander.

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

Puck is going to apply the love potion to Lysander's eyes so that he falls back in love with Hermia and out of love with Helena.

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

She thinks that he is just fooling around, that he doesn't really love her, that he is teasing her.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?

Helena accuses Hermia of fooling around and playing mind games with her. Helena thinks that Hermia is on Demetrius and Lysander's side.

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

They were the best of friends, they did everything together. They grew up together.

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

He pays no attention to her. She can't believe it, because there is no rational explanation behind this new found love in Helena.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?

She accuses Helena of stealing her love. Hermia calls her a thief of love.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?

Helena is afraid of Hermia, because she has more fight and is stronger. Helena says "and though she be but little, she is fierce", while talking about Hermia.

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

They are going off to duel, in the woods.

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

Oberon tells Puck to chase the men around, so that they will be tired and they will fall asleep. Once they are asleep Puck is to apply the love juice to Lysander's eyelids.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?

Oberon is going to beg Titania for the Indian boy, when she gives him to Oberon, he will remove the spell and he says "all things shall be peace".

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

He is excited for all to be resolved, and for the indian boy to be in his possession.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?

They finally fell asleep, all beside each other, thanks to Oberon's magic. Puck succeeded in tiring them out.

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, when she wakes up and hears his "beautiful" voice. - Bottom realizes that there is no rational explanation explaining her random love act for him. - Titania won't let him leave the forest, and has her fairies help him - Bottom teases Titania's fairies - Puck tells Oberon that Titania has fallen in love with a man with an ass' head - Puck and Oberon overhear Hermia and Demetrius' conversation - They realize that they had been talking about different people, and that Puck had put the love juice on the wrong person's eyes - Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander - Demetrius falls asleep - Puck puts love juice on his eyes - Lysander is trying to win over Helena - Demetrius wakes up and falls in love with Helena - Hermia sees that Lysander has fallen in love with Helena - Helena believes that Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius are all tricking her - Hermia and Helena fight - Lysander and Demetrius decide that they will duel over Helena, they go deeper into the forest - Oberon and Puck overhear this conversation - Oberon tells Puck to chase the man around, tire them out so that they will fall asleep. - They fall asleep - Puck magically makes sure they are all lying together - Puck then applies the love juice to Lysander's eyelids, hoping he'll wake up to see Hermia

Act IV, Scene 1

44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?

Bottom takes their helpfulness for granted, and asks for many, many things of them.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?

Oberon thinks that it is hilarious, but I believe that he was somewhat jealous. He also is happy, because we got the boy into his possession.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?

Oberon will tell Titania that it was only a dream.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?

They are out hunting for their wedding day.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?

He thinks that they just beat Hippolyta, Egeus and himself to the woods, to help hunt and prepare for the wedding.

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?

He says that he just followed Hermia and Lysander and that his love for Helena is true, that he will always be true to it. He also said that he "loathed" her like a food, or sickness.

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?

He decides to let them all get married today, and have a triple wedding.

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?

They all had the exact same "dream". They think that it is a conwincidence, but at the same time they realize there is no rational explanation explaining their story. They aren't sure if they should believe that it really happened or not.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?

He is going to get Quince to write his dream down in words, then present it at the wedding.

Act IV, Scene 2

53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?

They begin to realize that the only way the play will go on is if they have Bottom, to play Pyramus. They feel badly and hope he comes back in time for the wedding.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?

They would have all "been made men" and made a lot of money.

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?

They must hurry because Bottom was late and the wedding was going to start soon. They had not planned to go to the wedding because they weren't sure what happened to Bottom.

56. 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?

Bottom is an over-confident character. He loves getting attention from others. I find Bottom quite annoying and arrogant. Theseus is not as out going as Bottom, he's more reserved, a lot different than Bottom's over cocky character.

b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?

They do not understand what happened to them. Their dreams had seemed so real. The four lovers had the same dream and don't know what to think of that. I think that Bottom was changed permanently by this experience because, he still remembers Titania, and thinks about her.

c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?

I think that Shakespeare is trying to say that love is sometimes irrational. There is no explanation behind who you love. We can't control who we fall in love with. It is also impossible to force someone to love another person.

Podcast By: Bailey and Maddie, Bottom's Dream media type="file" key="Bottom's Dream.mp3" width="240" height="20"

Act V

56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?

He doesn't think that they are appropriate for the wedding. Pyramus and Thisbe on the other hand are about two lovers, which he describes as "hot ice, and wondrous strange snow", thinking that it would be quite interesting.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?

Pyramus and Thisbe on the other hand are about two lovers, which he describes as "hot ice, and wondrous strange snow", thinking that it would be quite interesting.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?

Philostrate says he has heard that the actors are such poor actors. Also he says that the play is too long, and the actors aren't fitted for their parts. They do such a poor job that it is hilarious.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?

Theseus says that it can't be bad because it was created by these people that are trying as hard as they can.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?

It doesn't frighten the ladies as much because they will know that the people in the play are just actors and that they aren't really THAT scary. It is also to tell them that they are sorry if they offend anyone in the audience, that they are trying their best.

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?

He does this because the actors on stage come out of character to respond to these questions, making the play more humorous.

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?

She says that she doesn't like to see poor, unfortunate people fail when they are trying their hardest, with good efforts.

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous?

I think Thisby's last speech is humorous because she puts so much emphasis, and overdoes the last few words, "Adieu, Adieu, Adieu".

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?

Oberon tells the fairies to bless the children of the lovers, make sure that they will be safe and to sing and dance around.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?

The purpose of Puck's last speech was to say that hopefully this play did not offend anyone and if it did then those people should pretend that this whole story was just a dream or vision.

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.

ridiculous metaphor: "Now am I fled, my soul is in the sky.", "O dainty duck! O dear!"
‍ 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?

The audience connects and can relate to a play. That is the reason that plays are performed. Observing an audience shows how the audience should be respectful and that the performers should not respond to what is happening in the audience. They should put up a "blocker".

‍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?

One example would be the reality show "X Factor", where Simon Cowell is sarcastic, harsh but very intelligent and all knowing when it comes to the music industry. Paula Abdul is clueless in my mind, and very innocent, when it comes to judging the contestants. She always sugarcoats their criticism, never wanting to be rude.

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?

The play may be unsuitable because in the end of "Pyramus and Thisbe", they both die, which isn't really a joyous emotion. It might be appropriate because they die for each other. Pyramus and Thisbe were together in the end, they were just dead. It reflects Hermia and Lysander especially because they weren't allowed to be together, just like Pyramus and Thisbe.

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