A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

__Act I, Scene 1 Questions__

1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? Theseus is really impatient and doesn't want to wait four days before his wedding. He believes that their isn't enough time in the world and he wants to get things done as soon as possible. Hippolyta believes the opposite of Theseus, she believes there is plenty of time in life and she is very calm taking to Theseus while he seems very angry or stressed out.

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 Egeus wants his daughter, Hermia, to marry Demetrius. Hermia doesn't want to marry Demetrius because her and Lysander both love each other. Egeus expects Theseus to either force Hermia to marry Demetrius, turn her into a nun, or give Egeus permission to kill her.

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? Theseus and Egeus believe that women/daughters should obey the men. They don't believe in women rights because they don't think that women are smart enough to make choices on their own.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander's comment that Demetrius has already had a devorce with Helena complicates things because it makes Theseus have second thoughts about this Demetrius guy. Lysanders says that since Demetrius has already divorced someone why do they think he is going to stay with Hermia forever.

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? Lysander and Hermia come up with a plan to sneak into the woods and go to Lysander's aunt's house. They will get away from all the drama and get married gracefully. They tell Helena because she was really depressed about this whole situtation about how she loves Demetrius, but he loves Hermia. When she finds out it builds her hope up that it will cause Demetrius to forget about Hermia and love Helena.

6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans? Helena decides to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan because she will tell him that they have left into the woods to get married. She thinks that it will make Demetrius believe that Hermia doesn't love him and cause him to forget about her. Once Demetrius forgets about Hermia, Helena thinks that Demetrius will love her.

7. Identify Hermia's basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Hermia absolutely loves Lysander, but her father and Theseus want her to marry Demetrius. Hermia has 3 choices: marry Demetrius, become a nun, or be killed. Lysander's choice is to run away into the woods to his aunt's house where they can get married.

__Act I, Scene 1 Podcast - Austin + Chase__ media type="file" key="MidSummerNightStream 2.m4a" width="300" height="50" __Act I, Scene 2 Questions__

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Bottom wants to play all the parts because he wants to be the star of the play. He is very self-centered and is full of himself. He thinks that he could play each part absolutely perfectly.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because when Bottom does a little skit out of the speech he makes them really funny. When he does the lion part it is rather humorous because of the way Shakespeare describes it. Another main reason this scene was funny was when they poured wine all over Bottom's head. I think Shakespeare included this scene because it gives you an idea of what Bottom is like.

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? All the actors are supposed to meet in the woods the following night. Lysander and Hermia are going to meet there also. I think that they are both going to run into each other.

11. How would you describe Bottom's acting ability? What is Bottom's own opinion on his acting ability? I think Bottom is a good actor, but it bothers me that he is so full of himself. He can do the voices of the characters in the story very well. In Bottom's own opinion he thinks he is the greatest actor of all time.

__Act II, Scene 1 Questions__

12. 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? Titania stole an Indian prince from Oberon and he wants him back to use his as his slave.

13. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Titania and Theseus were dating in the past and so were Hippolyta and Oberon. Titania and Oberon came to Athens to see Hippolyta and Thesues' wedding.

14. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? Their quarrel has caused mixed weather changes. It would suddenly be extremely foggy, or start pouring rain, etc.

15. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? Titania won't give up the changeling to Oberon because she feels she has to raise this changeling. She thinks its here responsibility to raise this boy.

16. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Oberon sends Puck to go and find the magical flower that makes one fall in love with the first thing they see. He wants to put one drop on Titania's and Demetrius' eyelid so that they fall in love with the first thing they see when they wake up.

17. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? Oberon plans for Puck to drip the magic flower into Titania's eyes. He then wants Titania to see a vile creature and fall in love with an ugly monster or creature.

18. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? When Demetrius goes on about how much he doesn't like Helena, she responds by saying how much she loves him. She can't get over Demetrius because she loves him so much.

19. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? Helena keeps following Demetrius. She thinks that if she keeps stalking him he will maybe change his mind about her. This isn't the case though, it seems to piss Demetrius off even more than he already is.

20. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? Helena's behaviour is inappropriate for Athenian women because they are not supposed to follow men.

21. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Oberon tells Puck to use the magical flower on Demetrius so that he will fall in love with Helena. Oberon over heard Helena and Demetriu fighting and he wants them both to be happy together.

__Act II, Scene 2 Questions__

22. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing? Oberon wants Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing because it is his plan to steal the changeling. He thinks she will slowly forget about the changeling and he will be able to take him.

23. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? Hermia insists that Lysander sleeps a little ways from her because they aren't actually married yet. She thinks that they shouldn't be sleeping with each other until they are married

24. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? Puck accidentally anoints Lysander's eyes because he thought it was Demetrius. Oberon said that Demetrius was an Atheanean man and Puck saw Lysander wearing the cloth that looked like a toga. Puck also thought this was Lysander because Hermia and Lysander weren't sleeping together so he thought it was Demetrius trying to stay away from Helena.

25. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? Helena doesn't believe that Lysander suddenly hates Hermia and loves her. She thinks that Lysander is joking and that he doesn't really love her, he really loves Hermia.

26. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Hermia dreams of a vile serpent eating her heart while she sees Lysander laughing at her. This dream reflects reality because Lysander suddenly hates Hermia and has found a new lover. The serpent eating her heart is sort of like a metaphor because Lysander pretty much ate her heart by just leaving her.

__Act III, Scene 1 Questions__

27. 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 have a short prologue before the play stating that Bottom isn't actually Pyramus and that he doesn't kill himself. They will also state that it isn't a real lion and is only an actor.

28. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? The actors are going to open a window because there is supposed to be a full-moon the night of the play. They are going to have an actor play as the wall so that they can have a little hole in the middle and Pyramus and Thisbe can kiss and talk through the hole.

29. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? All the actors run away in fear when Bottom reappears because his head was transformed into an ass by Puck.

30. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? Puck is going to follow the actors and scare them because he thinks it would be absolutely hilarious.

31. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? When Bottom sees that Titania is in love with him, he is completely flabbergasted. He doesn't understand why Titania has fallen in love with him and everyone is being so nice to him right after everyone ran away from him in fear.

32. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? This is such an apt statement at this point in the play because it relates to how Helena is following Demetrius who is looking for Lysander and Hermia. Helena absolutely loves Demetrius and she can't stop following him while Demetrius loves Helena and he has to find her.

__Act III, Scene 2 Questions__

33. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander because she woke up and he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Demetrius was the first person she sees and she thinks he is jealous.

34. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? Puck is going to use this love flower on Demetrius so that he will love Helena and then take the spell off of Lysander so that he will fall back in love with Hermia.

35. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Helena is upset when Demetrius says he loves her because she doesn't believe him. She thinks that he is lying and is just trying to make fun of her. This is what Helena wanted, but she didn't want it to happen so suddenly because she can't believe the things Demetrius is saying.

36. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? Helena accuses Hermia of telling Lysander and Demetrius to make fun of her. She thinks it was all Hermia's idea when really it wasn't at all.

37. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? Hermia and Helena were really good friends in the past, but now they absolutely hate each other.

38. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? Lysander treats Hermia very terribly and he tells her how much he hates her. Hermia can't believe Lysander because before they went to bed he loved her and wanted to marry her, then now Lysander absolutely hates her.

39. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia accuses Helena of being a love-stealer. She thinks that Helena stole Lysanders love and caused him to hate her and love Helena.

40. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? Helena is afraid of Hermia because she is yelling at Helena because she is so frustrated. Helena is scared because Hermia had pushed her into a mud puddle.

41. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? Lysander and Demetrius are going off to go fight. They are going to fight over Helena.

42. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? Oberon tells Puck to go and trick the two young men so that they separate from each other. He will use their voices and trick them away from each other.

43. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Oberon is going to remove the spell from Titania because he feels bad about what he did to her.

44. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Oberon doesn't fear the coming day because he is a fairy that isn't effected by the day time.

45. How well does Puck’s trickery work? Puck's trickery works perfectly. Hermia and Lysander both love each other again and Demetrius and Helena both love each other. Puck did end up fixing when Oberon had ordered him to do earlier on in this play.

__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 is put under the spell of the special flower and falls in love with Bottom while he has an asses head. - Hermia believes that Helena killed Lysander. - Lysander and Demetrius both show their love towards Helena. - Lysander and Demetrius fight over who loves her more. - Helena assumes Hermia is part of Lysander and Demetrius' trick to make fun of her. - Puck then tricks Demetrius and Lysander so that they get split up and go in separate directions. - Puck removes the spell off of Lysander, and keeps Demetrius loving Helena.

__Act IV, Scene 1 Questions__

46. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom has adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies very nicely. He loves living like this because all the fairies will do anything that he says.

47. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Oberon is extremely surprised by Titania's infatuation. He thinks its really strange because she has actually fallen in love with an ass.

48. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? Oberon didn't want to actually tell her everything that happened so he tries to avoid the question. He doesn't want her to know that he tricked her into loving an ass.

49. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They are looking for Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena because they want them to go and celebrate with them at the wedding.

50. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? Theseus explained that they were probably asleep in the woods together because they wanted to "observer the rites of May".

51. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? Demetrius explains that he truly does love Helena and he compares her to an illness because he says that when your ill you don't like it and when your healthy you start to love it again.

52. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? Theseus agrees to let all of the get married with each other. He insists of them getting married at the wedding that was happening today.

53. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? The young people can't be sure if they are awake or dreaming because everything keeps flipping around and their emotions are all mixed up. They are in love with someone before they go to sleep and then when they wake they love someone else.

54. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? Bottom is going to Quince to write a play about his dream. He is going to call that play "Bottom's Dream".

__Bottom's Dream Podcast - Austin + Chase__ media type="file" key="Bottom's Dream 2.m4a" width="300" height="50" All I wanted to know was why everyone was scared, They were all running, sprinting! I was being compared, To an ass! I couldn't believe what I could hear. I honestly wish I could just disappear.

And then out of the blue, Titania appeared, and to me she flew. The sprite grabbed a hold of me and couldn't let go. Thoughts rattling, this confused me so.

This fame, this glory, I couldn't cut it loose. Little did I know to an ass I did transduce! I fell asleep a king, in a royal crevasse, And then... and then... I was just sitting in the grass.

__Act IV, Scene 2 Questions__

55. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? All the other artisans are really depressed and sad because they couldn't do the play without a Pyramus. They all assumed that he had been killed.

56. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? All the artisans regret losing the money that they would have made for this play. They would have wasted all their time on this play and then they wouldn't even be able to show it.

57. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? They have to hurry because the wedding is almost over and the play will start soon.

__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 starts out a really cocky, annoying man. He seems really full of himself until he is with Titania. It then seems like it hits him that maybe he should change the way he is. He is the opposite of Theseus because Theseus is a nice man, who really knows what hes doing because he is the king. They are very opposite people.

b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience? All of the dreamers seem to try and hide the fact they were dreaming. They wanted to like keep it a secret. I think that Bottom was permanently changed by this dream because he realizes that Titania is a really nice, charming woman and look what she is rewarded with. He wants to change the way he is so that he can have what he wants.

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 difficult and will change at anytime. The things you think will happen are not going to happen and I think that main point Shakespeare is getting at is expect the unexpected.

__Act V, Scene 1 Questions__

58. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? He dismisses the story of the four young people because he says it is a fanciful story and thinks that it was really bad and someone really stupid or crazy could have thought of it.

59. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisbe rather than the other entertainments? Theseus choose to see Pyramus and Thisbe because he thought this one would be rather humorous. He thinks it would be more entertaining than the others of course.

60. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate doesn't want Theseus to see this play because he doesn't want him to be disappointed. Philostrate believes this is a really bad play and he will not like it. Philostrate says this play is worthless.

61. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? Theseus means that he isn't going to judge if the play is good or not by what Philostrate is saying. He means that very simple plays can also be very good plays.

62. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? The prologue at the beginning of the play helps to explain that Bottom doesn't actually die, the lion isn't a real lion, and that the wall is just a person because they don't want to offend anyone in the audience or scare anyone.

63. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? Shakespeare shows the audience's point of view while the play is going because it does enhance the humour of the play. After each little skit he would explain what Theseus is thinking at this time which was rather humorous.

64. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? Hippolyta doesn't like this play at all. She thinks this is all a big joke because it is really bad.

65. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous? Thisbe's final speech was humorous because she kept saying the same thing over and over again. It was really funny because she would over use alliteration and funny things like that.

66. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Oberon tells the fairies to sing him music to make everyone happy.

67. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? The purpose of Puck's final speech was to tell everyone that if you didn't like the play please don't insult them and they can't just assume this was a dream.

__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: "For, by thy gracious, golden, glittering gleams," - breaking the play's illusion of reality: "Thus have I, Wall, my part discharged so; And, being done, thus Wall away doth go. - using the wrong word or name: "I see a voice. Now will I to the chink, To spy and I can hear my Thisbe's face. Thisbe!" - repeating a word excessively: "O night, O night! Alack, alack, alack!" - ridiculous metaphor: "For, if I should as lion come in strife"

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? Observing the audiences reactions helps me understand the play because I realize that this play is being acted terribly and its funny because it is so bad. If it didn't show the audiences point of view I would be assuming this play was going perfectly fine and nicely.

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? In the television show Family Guy, the main character Peter Griffin is really clueless. He will always cluelessly do exactly not what someone will ask him to do.

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 hone through earlier? Pyramus and Thisbe's relationship is similar to Demetrius and Helena's and Lysander and Hermia's because they are both metaphorically seperated by a wall. There is like an imaginary wall between Demetrius and Helena because Demetrius doesn't love her and then he finds the way to love Helena. There is like an imaginary wall between Lysander and Hermia because they aren't allowed to get married, and then they find the hole through and they are allowed to be married to each other.

Completion 25/25 Effort 22/25 Content 23/25

total 70/75

Podcast 1 18/20 Podcast 2 19/20