A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

A Midsummer Night's Drem
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 feels as though the time is passing very slowly and he feels as though he cannot wait any longer. He is very impatient but Hippolyta is content with how the time is passing because she believes that everything will happen with due time and the wait will make it better.

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 the two men to Theseus because he wants permission to kill his daughter if she does not marry who he wishes which is Demetrius. Hermia, his daughter, is in love with Lysander and she does not want to marry Demetrius but her father believes that Lysander has bewitched her by being nice to her. Egeus expects the permission to kill his daughter because she is like an object to him.

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 were like objects in that time and they were to do what they were told. As a daughter, Hermia was supposed to listen to her father and obey his wishes for a father is like a master or a god who created them. A father can shape his daughter. Theseus said that either she must obey her father, become a nun or her father would have the right to kill her.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? It complicates things because then Demetrius and Lysander create more hatred towards each other. It also complicates things because now Theseus sees how much worthier Lysander is and he has a sort of want for them both to be able to get married. Also Helena is Hermia's best friend so it is complicated that Helena is in love with the person Hermia's father wishes her to marry.

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 to Lysander's aunt's house to get married because the house is just outside of Athens and the aunt considers Lysander like an only son. They plan to meet at the rock where Helena and Hermia used to see each other. The law of Athens cannot touch them outside of Athens. They tell Helena so that she will not fret about Demetrius loving Hermia instead of her to assure her that Demetrius is hers and they are not taking him from her. They tell Helena because they fee; bad for her.

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 tells Demetrius because she thinks that telling him of Hermia's plan so he can intercept her will make him love her or at least not despise her as he does now.

7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Her basic dilemma is that she is in love with Lysander and that is who she would like to marry but her father wants her to marry Demetrius although she does not want to. Her father said that if she didnt marry Demetrius, he could kill her but Theseus gave her another choice of becoming a nun. Lysander suggests running to his aunts outside of Athens where the law cant touch them to get married, the next night. This is the choice she selects.

Act I, Scene 2

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Nick Bottom wants to take control. He wants to be known by the crowd and he wants a piece of success. He is selfceneteres and believes that he can play the parts best so he therefore wants to play every bpar the can even if that wouldn't be possible.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? I think this scene is funny because of how ridiculous Bottom acts and how Quince doesnt get angry at him and appeals to his better nature instead. I think Shakespeare might have put this scene in so that we could learn a little more about the type of people the characters (like Bottom) are.

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? They are to meet at the same place as Hermia and Lysander are going to meet to elope. Thye are meeting at the duje's oak in the palace wood.

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? =I think that Bottom's acting ability is alright but I think that it isnt as good as he think it is because Bottome seems to think that its spectacular and that he was a born actor. =

Act 1 Podcast-Moon/Dreams/Night-by Maddie and Bailey media type="file" key="ACT 1 PODCAST.mp3" width="240" height="20"

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 reader finds out that Oberon and Titania never get along and every time they see eachother, they fight. When they fight bad things happen so when they see eachother, bad things happen.

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

Oberon has had past relationships with Hippolyta and Titania has with Theseus; each accuses the other of infedality. Oberon and Titania have come to Athens to watch the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

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

Their quarrel destroys nature and the seasons, causing storms with the weather and anything bad that can happen. Fogs drift to rivers which overflow and destroy crops causing people and animals to starve whereas crows become fat. Diseases are everywhere in the air, the seasons get confused. Humans are starving and becoming sick and freezing.

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

She will not give up the changeling to Oberon because his mother was a friend of hers and because she was mortal, she died and for her sake, Titania raises the boy and won't give him to Oberon.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?

Oberon sends Puck to find a western flower that was now purple, that had been shot by cupid's arrow and now this flower's juice can make a human fall in love with the first creature that it sees.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?

Oberon plans to put the juice of the magic flower on Titania's eyelids while she is asleep so that she will awake and fall in love with a vile creature and then take the charm away when he feels she is ready. He plans for revenge.

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

Helena always has an answer ready;when Demetrius says that he is sick when he looks at her but she retorts unaffected that she is sick when she doesn't look at him.

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

When he threatens her because she is alone in the dark forest with him she says that he is her world and he is there with her therefore the whole world is with her and she is not alone.

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

Her behaviour is inappropriate because she would not be modest for him and she would almost do anything for him, including let him murder her. She is supposed to be reserved and proper but instead she chases a man for his love.

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

Oberon orders Puck to seek a man in Athenian clothes, who is followed by a lady and to put some of the juice on his eyes so that the next thing he sees will be the lady and he will love her.

Act II, Scene 2

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

Oberon wants Titania to fall in love with a horrible creature for revenge so that as she pursues it, he may take revenge on her for not giving him the changeling boy.

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

Hermia wishes to keep her modesty and she wants to keep her pride because they are not married yet.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?

Puck travels through the forest for quite awhile but does not find an Athenian man so when he finally crosses Lysander, who is wearing Athenian clothing and who is sleeping far-away from a woman who he thought was the one the man did not love because they were so far apart. Puck believes that Lysander is the man he has been searching for to make fall in love with the girl.

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

Helena believes that his sudden love is a cruel joke and it makes her so upset because she does not feel that she deserves such a punishment when it is already difficult because Demetrius feels no love for her. She feels that Lysander is mocking her because she follows Demetrius.

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

Her dream is a reflection of reality because Lyssander was her love and he doesn't love her anymore so when the snake bit her heart out, it was like her love being ripped away and the pain she felt is the pain she will feel when Lysander no longer loves her. When she thought that he was watching with a cruel smile on his face it is because she will feel the coldness of Lysander once she sees that he no longer loves her and she will feel as if her heart has been ripped out and Lysander stood by watching just like in the dream.

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?

The actors are going to keep from scaring people by first writing a prologue that explains who the people are and that no one is actually harmed in the play. For the lion, Snug the joiner will be named so that they know that he is just a man, and his head will show through the neck of the lion costume.

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

The actors are going to use a person to play the moon who will hold a lantern and tell them all that he is the moon. The wall will also be played by a person who will rough-cast or plaster on him to show that he is a wall and then he will hold out his fingers to create the crack in the wall.

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

The rest of the actors run off when Bottom comes back because he has the head of an ass and they believe that they are haunted by dark magic and horrors.

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

When Puck follows the other actors, it is to stir up trouble and scare them even more by turning into scary things so that every time they round a corner they will see some new horror.

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

Bottom reacts to Titania by pitying himself, telling her there is no good reason to love him and he says that love and reason don't mix; he also tells her that he wishes to leave the forest. He seems to accept that she loves him after thinking that love and reason don't mix. To the other fairies, Bottom pokes fun at their names and teases them and almost insults them;he bullies them a little bit.

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

It is a good statement because in the play, love and reason do not mix very well; Lysander loved Hermia and suddenly he is in love with Helena and there is no good reason for this.Helena loves someone who does not love her back and is cruel to her yet she continues to love without reason. Demetrius loves Hermia although she continues not to love him and to prove her love to Lysander. All the characters love without reason at this point in time.

Act III, Scene 2

31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?

Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander while he slept because there is no other reasonable explanation for why he would be gone.

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

Puck and Oberon are going to correct the mistake by putting the juice on Demetrius' eyes while he slept and then leading Helena to the area so that the first person he sees is Helena and he will love her. Then they plan to put the antidote on Lysander's eyes while he is sleeping so that He will love Hermia once again. Puck will make them fall asleep by making them run around and get tired.

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

Helena is not overjoyed when Demetrius says he loves her because she believes that it is a cruel joke played on her by Lysander and Demetrius. She wants Demetrius to actually love her and not to play a trick on her pretending that he loves her although he isn't playing a joke.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?

Helena accuses Hermia of being apart of the trick and of telling the men who love her to go and play a cruel joke on Helena.

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

Hermia and Helena had been so close that they had been like one person, they had been incorporate. They had been the closest of friends of one heart.

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

He treats her very harshly saying that he hates her and that she repulses him. He constantly insults her and tells her to leave but she cannot believe what he says because it doesn't seem reasonable that he would suddenly fall out of love with her and in love with Helena over the course of a night.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?

Hermia accuses Helena of wooing Lysander over to her and of stealing his heart while she slept.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?

Helena is afraid of Hermia because Hermia is small and fierce, she is also quite a bit better at fighting and her hands are quicker in a fight.

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

Lysander and Demetrius are going off to duel for Helena's love, to see who loves her more and who should be worthy of her.

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

Oberon tells Puck to make a fog and to turn the night overcast, then to lead the men astray and away form each other by pretending to be Demetrius while talking to Lysander and being Lysander while talking to Demetrius. He is told to chase them around like this until they are so tired that they fall asleep. He must then put the antidote on Lysander's eyes so that he will once again love Hermia.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?

Oberon is going to take the changeling child as his own and then he will cure Titania of her love for Bottom with an ass' head.

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

Oberon is not afraid of the coming day because, he is magic and he makes sport in the day and he thinks that the day is beautiful.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?

Puck's trickery works very well because the men follow him on ridiculous trails and they eventually get tired so they sleep and he is able to successfully put the antidote on Lysander's eyes.

__** Review Question: Plot Points **__
 * The actors meet in the wood to practice the play
 * They run into a few problems with the script and how scary it will be
 * They resolve the problems with a prologue and people acting as moon and wall
 * They start practicing and they aren't all that great
 * While Bottom is offstage, Puck turns his head into that of an ass
 * The other men see him and run away but Bottom think its a trick to scare him
 * He begins to sing and Titania wakes and instantly falls in love with him
 * She gets fairies to dote on him and will not let him leave the wood
 * Puck runs to tell the great news of who Titania loves to Oberon
 * Oberon soon finds out that Puck has made a great mistake in who's eyelids he put the love juice on
 * Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander
 * Oberon gets Puck to put the juice on Demetrius' eyelids
 * Demetrius falls in love with Helena
 * Hermia finds out that Lysander loves Helena-she is upset
 * Helena thinks that the three of them are playing a joke on her
 * Hermia and Helena argue and fight, hurling insults at eachother
 * Lysander and Demetrius prepare to duel it out for Helena's love
 * Oberon forces Puck to chase the men around until they fall asleep
 * Puck puts the antidote on Lysander so that he will once again love Hermia

Act IV, Scene 1

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

Bottom has adjusted to the fairies by expecting them to dote on him while he orders them about and pretending like he is of high status by using fancy words and addressing people as "monsieur."

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

Oberon feels pity for Titania because she loves a man with an ass' head and he may also feel some jealousy.

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

Oberon tells her that it was just a dream and he denies what happened to her.

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

They are out in the woods for some fun fox- hunting before the wedding.

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

His first explanation is that they were there bright and early to wait for Theseus and Hippolyta knowing that they would pass by on their fox hunt.

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

Demetrius explains that he followed Hermia and Lysander into the wood but Helena followed him and now he love's her. He says that his love for Hermia, seemed to have just died overnight. He compares his love for Hermia to an illness because it was like something he caught for a while but went away and he doesn't appreciate it either.

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

Theseus decides to overbear what Egeus wants and the two couples will be married at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta, creating a triple wedding.

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

They can't be sure whether or not they are awake because it seems too good to be true, it is what they want and the night's events seem like a dream; yet it isn't possible that they all had the same dream so they can't be sure.

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

Bottom will make Quince write a ballad of his dream so that he may sing it to the Duke.

Act IV, Scene 2

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

They think he is a great man and a great actor- they don't believe that anyone could play a better Pyramus. They say that he has a sweet voice and that he deserves six pence.

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

They regret losing the six pence that they could have made if they had presented the play the most because that is much more than they make in a day.

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

They need to hurry because the Duke has finished eating and is looking for some entertainment; their play is preferred. They also need to get their costumes together.

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? ==== ==== In my opinion, Bottom is too full of himself and although some may pity him, I believe that he needs to be less self-centered. I am not fond of the character Bottom portrays and I think that he could change if he thought less about himself and more about others. He is the opposite of Theseus' character because Theseus is kind and thinks of others from their points of view. He also doesn't boast about the great things he has done and he does not make a foul of 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 experience by believing it was a dream and wondering whether they are awake now, or if it was real after all. Everyone is confused. Demetrius is permanently changed because he will forever be in love with Helena now because of cupid's flower. ==== ==== 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 and infatuations are not nessecarily reasonable and putting your entire being into them can sometimes result in strange unbelievable situations. Love and infatuations can be silly and you may regret it later.

Act 4 Podcast- Bottom's Dream- by Maddie and Bailey 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 dismisses it because he believes that it was all just their imagination because people in love see things differently.

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

He chooses the play because he doesn't like the other ones, and he thinks that because the actors are amateurs the play will be simple and nice; he also is looking forward to making fun of the play.

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

He doesn't want Theseus to see the play because he says that it is short but it feels like it goes on forever, he says that nobody is fitted for their part and that even though the play is tragic, the patheticness makes it funny. He also says that it is laboring men who perform and they are amateurs. He thinks that the only reason someone should watch the play is so that he could make fun of it.

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

Theseus means that because something is simple and sweet without any other reason behind then it can't be that bad.

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

The point of the prologue is to give warning that there is nothing to be afraid of; to warn the audience of what is to come so as not to cause any panic.

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

He uses comments to enhance humour by making the comments distract the actors so that they no longer stay in character or to point out funny things that you may not have noticed before.

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

Hippolyta does not enjoy the play and she thinks it's boring, and pathetic.

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

Thisbe's final speech is humorous because she does not realize he is dead for quite a while and it's really over the top, and melodramatic.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?

Oberon tells the fairies to bless the house.

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

The purpose of Puck's final speech is to give an excuse for any reason that the audience might not have liked the play and to "restore 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: ** "gracious golden, glittering gleams" **

 breaking the play’s illusion of reality: ** " No in Truth sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisbe's cue. She is to enter..." **

 using the wrong word or name: ** " This is old NINNY's tomb." **

 repeating a word excessively: ** "Now die,die,die,die,die." **

 ridiculous metaphor: **"The smallest monstruous mouse"**

===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 helps me understand because you can see how the audience reacts to the play and how well rehearsed the actors are. It helps you understand what different reactions mean for example when Hippolyta says that she hopes it is the last line of the play, that is showing that she truly doesn't want to hear or see any more because she thinks it is dreadful. While observing another audience, you can see how each character reacts and you can see how the actors react to the comments-like when Bottom "breaks the fourth wall" in the middle of the play- so that you can get a different view of how audiences and actors act towards eachother.

===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?===

I think that Bottom could be the silly character and Theseus could be the character playing off him because during the play within a play, Theseus constantly makes fun of Bottom's ridiculous acting abilities. I also think that Titania could be the clueless character during a time when she is being played off of by Oberon because he turns her affections toward Bottom and she no longer cares about the child that caused their fight in the first palce. Oberon used this to his advantage so that she would willingly hand over the changeling child therefore he played her.

===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?===

I think that the ending of Pyramus and Thisbe would not be appropriate for a wedding because it almost says that love ends in tragedy or that love only leads to horrible deaths. The play creates a sad mood although the wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of their life. The play is appropriate because it shows a lot of love and emotion and shows that lovers end up together in the end and it shows what you would do for someone if you loved them with all of your heart. It is ironic to the pairs of lovers because they have gone through a crazy adventure and felt pain like death and this dream like experience ended with them falling asleep and in the play it ends with them dying.

Completion 25/25

Effort 25/25

Content 22/25

Total 73/75

Podcast 1 - 20/20

Podcast 2 - 20/20