Midsummer+Night's+Dream


 * ====media type="file" key="Shakespeare Project.mp3" width="240" height="20"“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? "Four days will quickly steep themselves into night, Four days will quickly dream away the time" ====

Whereas Theseus is overly impatient for the wedding, Hippolyta is assured that time will fly.
====2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? Egeus is infuriated because he expects Hermia, his daughter, to obey his will and marry Demetrius. However she is in love with Lysander and refuses to marry Demetrius. Theseus is brought into this because he can overrule the situation and make a final decision. ==== ====3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? "To whom you are but are as but as a form in wax, by him imprinted, and to within his power to leave the figure, or disfigure it" The father has complete control of their daughter, and may even dispose if he wishes to do so. Theseus decides that Hermia has three choices- to join a nunnery, marry Demetrius, or be killed. ==== ====4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander was proving that Demetrius was flawed, and through that not as good of a suiter as Lysander. ==== ====5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? Lysander and Hermia plan to run away to Lysander's aunt"s house, out of the reach of athenian law, and through that, Theseus and Egeus' touch. Helena is told because she loves Demetrius, and with the lovers gone, she will be free to dote on him. ==== ====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 with Hermia gone, Demetrius may go back to loving Helen. ==== ====7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Overall, Hermia has four choices. To marry Demetrius, to become a nun, be killed for disobeying her father, or run away with Lysander. She choses the latter. ====

Act I, Scene 2
====8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Because he believes that he is most suited to every part, being a natural born actor, and as a matter of fact, natural born everything according to him. ==== ====9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? It introduces one of our three pallets of main characters, along with some comic relief- Bottom's over sized ego and his antics that follow. It also shows why this group of people are meeting in the forest at night. One of the other reasons that Shakespeare included this scene was to exhibit the ridiculousness of men having to play women's parts. ==== ====10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? In the depth of the wood, at the deepest midnight. Hermia and Lysander are also meeting in the forest to elope and run away ==== ====11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? Mediocre- Bottom is overconfident and brash, always wanting to be the hero, which never works out for him. He'd be a better actor if he didn't always try to steal the show, his antics hinder the other actors in his troop. ====

|| 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? That their relationship is going badly

11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Oberon accuses Titania of sleeping with and loving Titania, while Titania accuses Oberon of sleeping with Hippolyta

12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? Flooding is caused by their continued quarreling, causing to crops to rot in their fields.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? To drop the juice of the pansy on her eyes, than catch a wild beast and put it in front of her, so when she wakes up she will fall in love with the hideous beast.

16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? She twists it lovingly, saying that she will dote on him no matter what.

13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? Because it was the child of her friend who is now dead, and Titania promised to care for her child.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? A flower struck by cupid's arrow love, giving it's juice the ability to make someone fall in love with next animate being they see.

17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? She says that she will be his spaniel, and the more he beats her, the more hopelessly in love she will become.

18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? Women were meant to be wooed, not to have to force their love on some unwilling to carry their blessing- or burden as the case maybe.

19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? To place the juice of the magical pansy on the eyes of Demetrius, so when he wakes up he will 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 is jealous of the attention that that the changeling child is receiving, and wants to show how Titania'a love means nothing.

21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? She does not want to lose her virginity before she is married, as she thinks it is improper and not respectful.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? Because he cannot find Demetrius, and Lysander is also dressed in an Athenian garb, therefore he believes that Lysander is the person that his master instructed him to work the flower's magic on.

23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? She believes that he is playing a cruel trick on her, and it is because of Demetrius that he would play such a trick.

24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Lysander symbolically does rip out her heart and enjoy her pain when he is under the influence of the flower's magic.

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 prologue explaining how Pyramus will not truly kill himself, and how he is really Bottom the weaver

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? The moon will shine that night, so they will open a window. They will have an actor play the wall.

27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? Because Bottom now has the head of a donkey, and the actors believe that some sort of demon has claimed him and they run off, terrified.

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? To make them even more scared for his own enjoyment.

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? At first he is sceptical, but then he decides to allow her advances once she orders him to stay so he can be her immortal lover.

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 this is the turnnig point where everyone's object of infatuation seem to change.

Act III, Scene 2 31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander in his sleep like a coward.

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? Annoint the eyes of Demetrius so he will fall in love with Helena.

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? She believes that he is joining in with Lysander at mocking her, making her deeply upset.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? Of lying to her about Lysander's intentions, and that she's in on a prank their pulling to make her upset

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? Friends since childhood, always keeping each other's secrets safe.

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? Lysander is normally really sweet and romantic to Hermia, and when his love is mystically changed he acts complately out of character.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Of calling her short and low in social status.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? Because Hermia is threatening to fight Helena because of the insults she dealt her.

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? Fight each other over Helena, to prove their worth. They wan't to settle her affections with a fight that the one of truest intentions will win.

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? surround them in a magical mist, and seperate them by pretending to be the voice of their assailant.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Free her from the artificial love of the flowers so she can see her true love- Oberon.

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Oberon's power is too primal and strong to be affected by the coming of day. It shows how deep in his veins the magic runs.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? Very well, it all turns out good in the end because of his and Oberon's combined efforts.

44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? He becomes accustomed to being waited on hand and foot, and even tries to be comedic in an effort to appear cleverer and more seductive.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? One of disgust, he sees through the magic and sees a common peasant with the head of a donkey trying to infatuate the queen of the Faeries.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? He brushes off the question, clearly not knowing how to explain it without making himself appear spiteful and jealous.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They plan to start the wedding day with a fox hunt, an Elizabethan tradition.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? He thinks they got up early to observe the rite of may, out of respect for his and Hippolyta's wedding.

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? My lord, fair Helen told me of their stealth, Of this their purpose hither to this wood; And I in fury hither follow'd them, Fair Helena in fancy following me. But, my good lord, I wot not by what power,-- But by some power it is,--my love to Hermia, Melted as the snow, seems to me now As the remembrance of an idle gaud Which in my childhood I did dote upon; And all the faith, the virtue of my heart, The object and the pleasure of mine eye, Is only Helena. To her, my lord, Was I betroth'd ere I saw Hermia: But, like in sickness, did I loathe this food; But, as in health, come to my natural taste, Now I do wish it, love it, long for it, And will for evermore be true to it. - Demetrius Like an illness, he disliked Helena's love, similar to how someone dislikes their favorite foods when they are sick.

media type="file" key="Bottomless Band.mp3" width="240" height="20" 50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? He decides that they shall be married that very evening, and that it shall truly be a day for celebration and love.

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? Everything seemed to have fallen into place, it seemed almost to good to be true. They had twisted memories of the night before.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? He will write a ballad about his dream, as it shall not be ridiculed, be regarded as a work of fiction.

Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? They portray him in an excessively positive light, feeling grief and guilt.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? If their sport had gone forward they would have been widely respected.

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? The duke had already dined, the play would begin shortly.

Act 4 Extending the thought process? Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? Star crossed lovers and madmen are similar, believes Theseus, blaming their imaginations.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? He thinks that the creative work of oxymorons is intriguing, and that a comedy would be most suitable for the night at hand.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate believes that it is the work of amateurs, not worthy of recognition. He argues passionately against Theseus until he is overruled

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? He believes that if honest, hard-working people try their best, the outcome will be surprisingly good, no matter how dumb the people seem in the first place.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? It enables them to tell the story of Pyramus and Thisbe without anything scaring or surprising the audience, for fear that they could be hanged if a noblewomen is frightened

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? The comments show how more privileged people conceive the play, something that can be comedic in these circumstances

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? She seems to enjoy the play, complimenting the moon's performance, though she does seem to find certain parts of the play humorous.

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Excessive use of metaphors, far too dramatic. It should be noted, however, that in the movie Thisbe's final speech was far more emotional and touching.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Bless the lovers with magic, bind them eternally to each other so that they shall never go astray from true love.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? To tell the audience members that if they have not thoroughly enjoyed the play, they should view it merely as a strange dream. This speech breaks the fourth wall.

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: Bloody, blameful blade. breaking the play’s illusion of reality: Thisby's cue: she is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">using the wrong word or name: Ninny's tomb <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">repeating a word excessively: Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">ridiculous metaphor: His eyes were green, as leaks

=== 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 breaks the fourth wall, allowing us to connect with the protagonists on a less superficial level. Nobleman in the crowd could be thinking the same thing as Theseus while watching the play within a play.

=== 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? === Quince and Bottom are the prime examples, as Peter Quince manipulates Bottom by complimenting him. It is shown that peter Quince truly does care about Bottom when they think that poor Nick Bottom is dead.

=== 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 portrays the darker side of love, the side that drags someone to an early grave because of grief caused by the death of a loved one. It is ironic because it shows the extremes of love, something that was pushed to it's limits the night before by Love-in-idleness, The magical flower of Cupid.

Completion 23/25 Effort 18/25 Content 20/25

Total 61/75

Podcast 1 - 20/20 Podcast 2 - 19/20