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?

Hippolyta believes that the next four days will pass quickly, and it is different from what Theseus believe, because Hippolyta believes that eventually the day will pass, then a night, and the four days will end up being over faster than he thought he would. But Theseus thinks that four days is just too long, and it is a long time to wait to get married.

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

Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus because he wanted Theseus to give him ideas about what should he do. Also he want Theseus to give him the right to either kill his daughter or force her two marry Demetrius. Egeus only expects Theseus to grant him that right and he trust Theseus.

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

The proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society was to do what your husband or father wanted you to do without arguing. If you were a female, you had no choice but to obey if you wanted to stay alive. You have to listen and follow what other people ask you to do, and you don't have the right to say no to it.

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

It puts Demetrius in a tight spot because then it is possible that Egeus would think he is unreliable and isn't good enough for Hermia. Then Demetrius would lose his chance to marry Hermia.

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

Lysander and Hermia decide to meet in the forest at night and run away to Lysander's aunt's house so that they can get married since the the Athenian rules have no power there. They tell Helena that once they are gone and married, Demetrius will be all her's.

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?

Helena decides to tell Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander'a plan, because she thinks he will be so grateful to her and that 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 choices does Lysander suggest?

Hermia's dilemma is that she wants to marry Lysander instead of Demetrius, but Theseus and her father give her the choices between marrying Demetrius, joining a nunnery, or having killed by her own father. Lysander suggests that they run away the following night, then meet in the forest and go to his aunt's house where is out of reach of the Athenian rule and get married there.

Act I, Scene 2
8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?

Nick Bottom wants to play all of the parts because he believes he could act them out better than any of his fellow actors. He believes that he is best out of all those people.

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

This is funny because of Nick Bottom believe that he is so better at acting, while most of the time he just ends up making fun of himself trying to play different characters. I think Shakespeare included this scene because it act like a introducation to what is going to happen, it sets up the next part when they meet in the forest.

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

The actors decide to meet in the forest the following night. Hermia and Lysander are also going to meet in the forest at the same time, so they can get married at Lysander's aunt's house. Also that Helena is going to bring Demetrius to the forest that night too, so that the Demertrius could feel in love with her.

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

I ﻿can't say that Bottom's actiong ability is not good, it is good, but not the best in the world. Bottom, on the other hand, believes that he's actiong ability is the best and no one is better than him. He thinks that he should be able to play all the parts if possible.

media type="file" key="A Midsummer Ngiht's Dream Act1.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Sunny & Melody

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?


 * the King and Queen are fighting, because of their infiedilty
 * they are fighting over the changeling boy and Oberon is jealous of the boy

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

Oberon had affair with Hippolyta and that Titania had affair with Theseus, and they are here at the Athens for Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding.

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

When they fight, bad things happen like floods, diseases, seasons will get mixed up, there are famine.

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

The boy's mother was Titania's servant and since she died Titania promised her to take care of the boy.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?

Oberon send Puck to find the magic flower that makes people feel in love with the first creature they see when you put the flower's juice on the their eyelids. Oberon wants it to get revenge on Titania.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?

Oberon's plan is to put the juice of the magic flower on to Titania's eyelids after falls asleep and when she woke up she is going to fall in love with something nasty since that's the first thing Oberon exbect Titania to see after she wake up.

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

She turns them around, saying that the more Demetrius hates her, the more she loves him and that she is going to follow him. Demertrius told Helena that when he looks at her it make him sick, but Helena told the opposite to the Demetruis, that she is sick when she don't look at him.

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

She saids that Demetrius has already done her wrong and he can do whatever he wants to her.

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


 * she degrades herself by saying things like me as your dog
 * desperately begging for Demetrius' love
 * sneaks out to the woods in the middle of the night and with a man who doesn't love her

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

Oberon tells Puck to put some of the magic juice Demetrius' eyelids when he's asleep but only when Puck is sure Helena will be the first thing Demetrius sees upon waking up.

Act II, Scene 2
20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?

Oberon wants Titania to look like a fool because Oberon is jealous of her and they are fighting.

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

Hermia wants to maintain her modesty because they are not married yet.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?

Puck anointed Lysander's eyes with the juice because he thought that Lysander was Demetrius. Oberon only describes Demetrius as a boy wearing Athenian clothes and Puck sees Lysander who is also wearing Athenian clothes sleeping a distance away from a Hermia. He thought that Lysander most be the boy that Oberon is talking about.

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

Helena thinks Lysander was making fun of her, because Helena thinks that you can't be in love with one person one minute and someone else the next.

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

The serpent ate her heart while Lysander was there laughing..... and this reflect to reality because Helena is the first person Lysander saw when he woke up, so he fell in love with Helena instead of Hermia and when Hermia found out this, she is going to be heart broken.

media type="file" key="Act 2 midsummer night's dream 4.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Sunny & Melody

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?

They are going to show half his face when he wears the mask and they're going to tell the audience Snout is not a lion.

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

For the moonlight, they will open the window or have someone carry a lantern. A person wearing a rough cast will play the wall and they will use their fingers to signify the chink that Pyramus and Thisby talk through.

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

The rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears because they are afraid, since Puck has put an ass's on Nick Bottom.

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

Puck plan to lead the other actoras when follows after the other actors and he want to cause some mischief.

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

Bottom wants to make acquaintance with the fairies.

30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? All the things that's about love in the play makes no sense. Titania falls in love with Bottom because of the magic flower. Lysander used to love Hermia but all of the sudden falls in love with Helena because Helena was the first thing Lysander saw. Helena loves Demetrius even though he hates her and she pursues him no matter what.

Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?

Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander.

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

Puck will squeeze the juice into Demetrius' eyes when he falls asleep so he will fall in love with Helena. Then he will squeeze the juice on Lysander's eyes when he's asleep and make sure Hermia is the first things he sees.

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

Helena thinks Demetrius is part of the act and they're all making fun of her together.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?

Helena accuse Hermia of making fun of her with Lysander and Demetrius and not being a good friend.

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

They have been friends since childhood and they had been best friends.

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

Lysander hates Hermia and says mean things to her. Hermia doesn't believe him because Lysander was in love with her last night.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?

Hermia accuse Helena of stealing Lysander from her.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?

Helena is afraid of Hermia because she saids Hermia is fierce even thought Hermia is smaller than her.

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

Lysander and Demetrius are going off to fight to see who gets Helena.

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

Oberon tells Puck to trick Lysander and Demetrius by leading them around thinking they're following the each other. When they get tired and fall asleep, Puck will squeeze the juice into Lysander's eyes and when he wakes up, he will love Hermia again because Hermia will be the first thing Lysander sees.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?

Oberon is going to go to Titania to get her to give him the changeling boy. He his also going get Nick Bottom with the ass's head away from Titania.

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

Oberon doesn't fear the day because he is a different type of fairy whose powers work during the day.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?

Puck's trickery worked. Everything worked according to plan.

=== 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 because the juice from the magic flower
 * Titania calls her helpers to take care of Bottom and Bottom makes an aquantance with the fairies
 * Puck goes and tells Oberon that Titania has fallen in love with Bottom and that he had put the juice in the Athenian's eyes
 * Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander while Puck and Oberon watch
 * Oberon realizes Puck has made a mistake and ask him to correct the mistake by rubbing the juice on to Demertrius's eye
 * Lysander and Helena come, with Lysander wondering why Helena does not love him
 * Demetrius comes back in and falls in love with Helena, Lysander and Demetrius fights over her while Helena thinks that they are making fun of her
 * Hermia and Helena fight, and Helena accuse Hermia for not being a good friend
 * Demertrius and Lysander goes away to fight for Helena, while Oberon tells Puck to separate Lysander and Demetrius
 * Puck rubs the juice on Lysander's eye while he is sleeping and make sure that Hermia is the first thing that he see when he wakes up

media type="file" key="midsummer night's dream act 3.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Sunny & Melody

Act IV, Scene 1
44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?

Bottom is enjoying the attention he's getting telling the fairies to scratch his head and fetch him food.

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

Oberon pities Titania for falling in love with a fool who has an ass's head. He thinks Bottom is disgusting.

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

Oberon will tell Titania that it was all a dream.

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

Those people are out hunting with their train.

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

Theseus thinks they were there to observe the festival of May.

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

Demetrius saids Helena told him about Lysander and Hermia running away. His love for Hermia is gone all of the sudden and now he only loves Helena.

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

Theseus decides that the two couples will get married at the temple along with Hippolyta and himself.

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

Things have happened in the night that have changed things and they are not sure if it's real.

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

Bottom is going to tell Quince to write a ballad called Bottom's Dream and he will sing it to the duke at the end of the play.

Act IV, Scene 2
53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?

Now that Bottom's gone, the other actors think Bottom is a good actor.

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

They most regret not getting the money the Duke is going to pay them.

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

The artisans must hurry because their play has been selected to be performed in front of the Duke.

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 Bottom is a really self-centered character, because before when they are rehearsing the play he only cared about which character that he get to play and forgetting about that there is other people that is in the play too. He think that he should play every part. I think Bottom's character is also stubborn, because he believes that he is and will always be the best. This is why, when the fairy queen shows him so muh attention, he just acts as if it is natural, since he believes that he deserves that kind of attention from people all the time. On the other hand Theseus is more of a serious character, because he holds a position of authority while Bottom is more of a court jester. Theseus actually think about other people while Bottom mainly thinks about himself.

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

Most of the dreamers respond to the dream as if it is just a dream, because they can't think of anyother explanation for what they had experienced, also in their mind they are not quit sure if everything happened or is just their imagination. They had no evidence of what had happened except who loved who at the end of the dream. I think Demetrius is changed permanently by the dream experience, because he was in love with Hermia before the "dream", but after the "dream" he ends up so in love with 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? ====

I think Shakespeare is saying that love has no reasoning and that you never know what is going to happen with love. You can go from being love with someone but fall in love someone else, then go back to loving the first person for no reason, just like what Lysander did with Hermia and Helena. You can also love someone for no reason at all except for being who they are, just like Demetrius. Also sometimes, you might think that you are in love, then you will become committed to that person no matter what. But then, later when you no longer love them, you will look back at that and will not know why you loved them, and that you can't even stand them.

Bottom's Dream
Last night I've had the strangest dream, I had the head of an ass it seemed. But no matter the fairest fairy of all, In love with me did she fall.

Her attendants were there to serve, They gave me the best like I deserve. I was the apple of her eye, And we slept underneath the starry sky.

When I awoke I hoped the dream was true, But it had melted like early morning dew. Someday I hope someone will really love me, That is my simple desire, my only plea.

media type="file" key="midsummer night's dream act 4.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Sunny & Melody

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

Theseus believes that they are confused because they are in love and the story was so strange it seemed unbelievable like a fable or a fairy tale.

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

Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments because as he read the description, he thought that it might be an interesting play to watch. The play itself is strange and wondrous, since it said that the play is a tedious brief scene and a tragic mirth. It is also because that he didn't want to see any of the other emtertainments, because they too old and he seen it before.

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

Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play because when they performed the play in front of him it is terrible and the acting is really bad. Philostrate saids to Theseus that unless enjoying making fun of the play, you won't like it, because the acting made the play really funny.

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

Nothing can go wrong when you put hard work into it. They are simple people and they can do simple things, so nothing can go wrong.

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

The Prologue is supports to help to make sure that the ladies do not get scared, but in the play, the Prologue made the story unrealistic because it gave away the whole plot.

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

S hakespeare is trying to tell you what it would be like to experience it in real life, and so that you know what they think of it. Their opinions are changing nonstop. Agreeing and disagreeing with what they do to the play. They make fun of the acting and talks to the actors to which they respond making the actors seem unprofessional, but it is also their way of enjoy the play.

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

Hippolyta says that the play is the funniest stuff she has ever heard, and she thinks that the play is silly, tedious, and simply nonsense.

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

Thisby's final speech humorous because she/he goes to Pyramus with the sword in his breast and asks him if he is sleeping. Thisby asks Pyramus to speak when he's dead and after that she/he stabs herself, and she/he tells the audience that's how she died.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?

Oberon tells the fairies to sing and dance so they can bless the lovers.

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

The purpose of Puck's speech is to end the play. By speaking to the audience, it adds an effect and makes the play seem like a dream which connect to the title "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Also this is like a dream to the characters too, even thought that everything they dreamed happened, but they don't know that, they still fell like that they are in a dream. Puck's final speech is also an apology for all the mischief he caused and that he is really sorry for what happened and willing to make amends.

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

"Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show; But wonder on, till truth make all things plain. This man is Pyramus, if you would know; This beauteous lady Thisby is certain."

breaking the play’s illusion of reality

"No, in truth, sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisbe's cue. She is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall. You shall see, it will fall pat as I told you. Yonder she comes.

using the wrong word or name

"Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me at straightaway."

repeating a word excessively

"Now die, die, die, die, die." "Adieu, adieu, adieu!"

ridiculous metaphor

"O dainty duck! O dear!" "These My lips,This cherry nose,These yellow cowslip cheeks,Are gone, are gone:"

** ﻿ 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 gives you an opinion that you can look at and observe. It tells you what you might have thought about that play if you were sitting there in their shoes.You get to know how they feel about the play and what they think of the actors and the play. Sitting in a classroom, watching the play or reading the play, you would experience the play with your mind set in the current time. This is because the play is based in a whole different time period, back then the play might have been received differently. But we do not know this, so we don't think about it like that. You will be able to understand what the actual audience thinks of the play because they are watching it too.

**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?**

Bugs Bunny

===**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?** ===

Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding ceremony because Pyramus and Thisbe both die at the end, so it like a tradegy about two lovers. Weddings are supposed to be happy and cheerful. The play might be appropriate for a wedding because it makes the lovers realize just how much they need the other around and it makes them think that what happen if they are Pyramus or Thisbe. The play-within-a-play is an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers went through because it makes them think about what if the other died, would they be as brave as Thisbe and kill themselves? Thisbe lost Pyramus when he stabbed himself and the lovers know what that feels like because they have all lost their love when they were in the woods.

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