A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

__ ACT 1, SCENE 1 __

1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? Theseus thinks that the next four days will feel like an endless wait, but Hippolyta thinks that they will pass by very quickly. Theseus wants it to be the wedding night, but Hippolyta is in no hurry because she thinks that the wait will make it better. Theseus says: “…Four days bring in Another moon. But O, methinks, how slow This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires…” Hippolyta says: “Four days will quickly steep themselves in night.”

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 his daughter, Hermia, wants to marry Lysander instead of Demetrius, the husband Egeus chose for her. Egues wants Theseus to give him the power to either force Hermia either to marry Demetrius or have the power to kill Hermia. Egues expects Theseus to side with him and enforce the law of Athens that will let Egues decide Hermia’s fate. Egues says: “Full of vexation come I, with complaint Against my child, my daughter Hermia.” “I beg the ancient privilege of Athens. As she is mine, I may dispose of her, Which shall be either to this gentleman (Demetrius) Or to her death…”

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’s ruling was that Hermia could choose to be married to Demetrius, be killed by her father, or become a nun. It was proper in Athenian society for woman to obey their fathers and husbands. Women were always supposed to obey the men. Egeus says: “This man hath bewhiched the bossom of my child. Thou, thou Lysander, thou hast given her rymes, And exchanged love tocken with my daughter.” Theseus says: “Whether, if you yield not to your father’s choice, You can endure the livery of a nun…” “To fit your fancies to your father’s will, Or else the laws of Athens yield you up.” “…To you your father should be as a god…” “In himself he is;But in this kind, wanting your father's voice, The other must be held the worthier.”

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s love affair with Helena was rumored, and Theseus had also heard of these accusations. This proves that Demetrius is untrustworthy. This makes it difficult because Lysander and Demetrius are equal in everyway, except that Demetrius is a two-timer, and Lysander only has eyes for Hermia, but he does not have Egeus’s approval. Lysander says: “…Demetrius, I'll avouch it to his head, Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena, And won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes, Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry, Upon this spotted and inconstant man.”

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? They plan to run away the next night, meet in a forest, and then go to Lysander’s aunts house, outside of Athens, and get married where the laws of Athens cannot affect them. They tell Helena because she is so upset that Demetrius does not love her, and she is Hermia’s best friend and they therefore think she is trustworthy. To cheer her up, they tell her that they will no longer be here, so Helena will be able to have Demetrius all to herself. Lysander says: “A good persuasion: therefore, hear me, Hermia.I have a widow aunt, a dowagerOf great revenue, and she hath no child:From Athens is her house remote seven leagues;And she respects me as her only son.There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee;And to that place the sharp Athenian lawCannot pursue us. If thou lovest me then,Steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night;And in the wood, a league without the town,Where I did meet thee once with Helena,To do observance to a morn of May,There will I stay for thee.” Helana says: “Take comfort: he no more shall see my face; Lysander and myself will fly this place.” Hermia says: “…Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated, The rest I'd give to be to you translated. O, teach me how you look, and with what art You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart.”

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 the plan because she wants him to fall in love with her. She thinks that by telling Demetrius the plan he will release that Hermia is gone and that he will fall in love with Helena. Helana says: “I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight: Then to the wood will he to-morrow night Pursue her; and for this intelligence If I have thanks, it is a dear expense: But herein mean I to enrich my pain, To have his sight thither and back again.”

7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Hermia’s dilemma is that she is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. By the laws of Athens, the father should be able to either marry his daughter off, or kill her. Hermia’s father, Egeus goes to Theseus to ask for permision to enforce his power over Hermia. Theseus decides that Hermia can decide to marry Demetrius, die by her father’s hand, or become a nun and never be touched by a man. After all of the characters, except for Lysander and Hermia, leave, Lysander suggests that they run away to his aunt’s house, outside of Athens, and get married. Because his aunt’s house is outside of Athens the law does not apply at Lysander’s aunt’s house. Therefore they could get married and live together forever. Lysander says: “A good persuasion: therefore, hear me, Hermia. I have a widow aunt, a dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child: From Athens is her house remote seven leagues; And she respects me as her only son. There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee; And to that place the sharp Athenian law Cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me then, Steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night; And in the wood, a league without the town, Where I did meet thee once with Helena, To do observance to a morn of May, There will I stay for thee.” Theseus says: “For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself To fit your fancies to your father's will; Or else the law of Athens yields you up-- Which by no means we may extenuate-- To death, or to a vow of single life.” Egeus says: “Full of vexation come I, with complaint Against my child, my daughter Hermia. Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord, This man hath my consent to marry her. Stand forth, Lysander: and my gracious duke, This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child…”

__ Act I, Scene 2 __

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Bottom wants to play all of the parts because he thinks that he is the greatest thing ever and he wants to prove it. He thinks that he would be the best actor for all of the parts and all of the characters because he has a huge ego. Bottom says: “Let me play the lion too: I will roar, that I will do any man's heart good to hear me; I will roar, that I will make the duke say 'Let him roar again,let him roar again.'”

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because Bottom is trying to convince Quince that he is good enough to play all of the parts, but instead he makes himself look like a fool. It is also funny because Quince plays into Bottom’s ego to get him to play Pyramus. He tells Bottom that only he can play Pyramus, because only he is sweet enough faced and proper enough. This is funny because that description is exactly the opposite of he has been acting. Shakespeare probably added this scene because it is comical, and because it foreshadows the potential for the actors to intersect with the lovers when they meet in the forest. It also introduces the characters that I can assume will be a part of the story, introduce the play within a play and introduce the characters’ character. Quince says: “You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man, as one shall see in a  summer's day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus.” Bottom says: “A very good piece of work, I assure you, and a merry…”

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? The actors are to meet at the Duke’s oak, a mile outside of the town in the palace wood. Lysander and Hermia are also suppose to meet there, and Helena has told Demetrius that the two lovers are meeting there, so there is potential that Demetrius will follow Hermia to the wood, and Helena will follow him. Quince says: “At the duke's oak we meet.” Helana says: “I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight: Then to the wood will he to-morrow night Pursue her; and for this intelligence If I have thanks, it is a dear expense: But herein mean I to enrich my pain, To have his sight thither and back again.” Hermia says: “And in the wood, where often you and I Upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie, Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet, There my Lysander and myself shall meet…”

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? I would describe Bottom’s acting ability as poor. He is so dramatic and over the top that I feel as if he was not acting well at all. Whereas I think that Bottom is not a good actor, Bottom thinks that he is the greatest actor of all time. He has a huge head, and he thinks that he is so good that he could play all of the parts in the play. He also thinks that he could be such a convincing lion that he would scare women in the audience, but that he could also play the lion softly. He also keeps trying to overtake the performance. Bottom says: “That will ask some tears in the true performing of it: if I do it, let the audience look to their eyes; I will move storms…”

media type="file" key="Sarah's Podcast.mp3" width="240" height="20"

__ Act 2, 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? At the beginning of this scene Puck and the first fairy talk about how Titania and Oberon should not meet because they would only fight. Titania and Oberon are married, but they are currently fighting over a boy that Titania feels he is hers to raise, but Oberon wants the boy to be a knight of his court. Oberon requested that Titania give the child to him, but Titania refuses. Puck says: “The king doth keep his revels here to-night: Take heed the queen come not within his sight; For Oberon is passing fell and wrath, Because that she as her attendant hath A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king; She never had so sweet a changeling; And jealous Oberon would have the child Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild; But she perforce withholds the loved boy, Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy…”

11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Oberon has cheated on Titania with Hippolyta. Titania has cheated on Oberon with Theseus. Titania and Oberon often fight about the affairs, but they have come to Athens to attend the marriage of Hippolyta and Theseus. Titania says: “…But that, forsooth, the bouncing Amazon, Your buskin'd mistress and your warrior love, To Theseus must be wedded, and you come To give their bed joy and prosperity.” Theseus says: “How canst thou thus for shame, Titania, Glance at my credit with Hippolyta, Knowing I know thy love to Theseus…”

12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? When Titania and Oberon fight nature disasters occur. Titania and Oberon have so much magical power that their moods affect the environment, the seasons and the people. Their fights have affects on the weather. If they are fighting their may be a sudden flourish of hail, causing an early winter, and a farmer to loose their crop and money. Titania says: “And never, since the middle summer's spring, Met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead, By paved fountain or by rushy brook, Or in the beached margent of the sea, To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind, But with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport. Therefore the winds, piping to us in vain, As in revenge, have suck'd up from the sea Contagious fogs; which falling in the land Have every pelting river made so proud That they have overborne their continents: The ox hath therefore stretch'd his yoke in vain, The ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn Hath rotted ere his youth attain'd a beard; The fold stands empty in the drowned field, And crows are fatted with the murrion flock; The nine men's morris is fill'd up with mud, And the quaint mazes in the wanton green For lack of tread are undistinguishable: The human mortals want their winter here; No night is now with hymn or carol blest: Therefore the moon, the governess of floods, Pale in her anger, washes all the air, That rheumatic diseases do abound: And thorough this distemperature we see The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts Far in the fresh lap of the crimson rose, And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds Is, as in mockery, set: the spring, the summer, The childing autumn, angry winter, change Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, By their increase, now knows not which is which: And this same progeny of evils comes From our debate, from our dissension; We are their parents and original.”

13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? The changeling’s mother was a member of Titania’s court and one of her good friends. Therefore she thinks that the changeling should be hers to raise and a squire of her court. Titania will not give up the changeling to Oberon because of who the boy’s mother was. Oberon wants the boy to be a knight of Oberon’s court. Titania says: “Set your heart at rest: The fairy land buys not the child of me. His mother was a votaress of my order: And, in the spiced Indian air, by night, Full often hath she gossip'd by my side…”

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Oberon sends Puck out to look for a flower that when squeezed into the eyes of someone will make them fall in love with the next living thing that person sees. This flower was once pierced by one of Cupid’s arrows and turned purple with love. Some call it “love-in-idleness”. Oberon says: “…Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell: It fell upon a little western flower, Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound, And maidens call it love-in-idleness. Fetch me that flower…”

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? Oberon plans to use the flower that he sends Puck to find to make Titania fall in love with a horrible beast/creature. After she has learned her lesson, Oberon will remove the spell with a different herb. Oberon hopes that she will be so occupied with the beast that he will be able to ask her for the changeling and she will give him up. Oberon says: “Having once this juice, I'll watch Titania when she is asleep, And drop the liquor of it in her eyes. The next thing then she waking looks upon, Be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull, On meddling monkey, or on busy ape, She shall pursue it with the soul of love: And ere I take this charm from off her sight, As I can take it with another herb, I'll make her render up her page to me…”

16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? Helena responds to Demetrius’s comments with love. Despite how vile he gets with her, she continues to try and get him to fall in love with her. She is loyal to him and compares herself to a dog. When he threatens to rape her she says that it would be her privilege. Helena says (to Demetrius): “You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant; But yet you draw not iron, for my heart Is true as steel: leave you your power to draw, And I shall have no power to follow you.”

17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? When Demetrius threatens to rape Helena, Helena responds that it would be her privilege. When he threatens to leave her in the woods, she becomes upset. She can handle his vile words, but when he threatens leaving her at the mercy of the wood she is very mad. Helena says: “And even for that do I love you the more. I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, The more you beat me, I will fawn on you: Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me, Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave, Unworthy as I am, to follow you...”

18. In what way is Helena’s behavior inappropriate for Athenian women? Helena’s behavior is inappropriate for an Athenian woman because she is supposed to obey men. Yet, she consistently follows Demetrius even though he tells her to go away. She is supposed to respect the fact that Hermia’s father has decided that Hermia is to marry Demetrius, not try to get him to love her. Helena says: “Your virtue is my privilege: for thatIt is not night when I do see your face, Therefore I think I am not in the night; Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company, For you in my respect are all the world: Then how can it be said I am alone, When all the world is here to look on me?”

19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Oberon tells Puck that once he has found the flower he should not only squeeze the juice into Titania’s eyes, but also into the eyes of the Athenian man in the woods, but Puck must make sure that the Athenian woman was the first person that he sees afterwards. Theseus says: “…A sweet Athenian lady is in love With a disdainful youth: anoint his eyes; But do it when the next thing he espies May be the lady: thou shalt know the man By the Athenian garments he hath on. Effect it with some care, that he may prove More fond on her than she upon her love: And look thou meet me ere the first cock crow.”

__ Act 2, 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 vile creature to teach her a lesson. Titania currently has a changeling as a member of her court that Oberon wants. Titania refuses to give Oberon the boy, so he has decided to teach her a lesson. He will make her fall in love with something vile and then he will remove the spell. She will therefore be in his dept, and to repay him, he will ask for the boy, and she will have to give the boy to him. Oberon says: “What thou seest when thou dost wake, Do it for thy true-love take, Love and languish for his sake: Be it ounce, or cat, or bear, Pard, or boar with bristled hair, In thy eye that shall appear When thou wakest, it is thy dear: Wake when some vile thing is near.”

21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? Hermia makes Lysander sleep a little ways away from her because they are not yet married, and although they have fled Athens, she remembers how she was raised and she feels as though it is improper for those unmarried to sleep together. She asks him to sleep in a different place because of her pride and modesty. Hermia says:

“…Now much beshrew my manners and my pride, If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied. But, gentle friend, for love and courtesy Lie further off; in human modesty, Such separation as may well be said Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid…”

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? Puck anoints Lysander’s eyes because Oberon told him to anoint the eyes of the man in the Athenian clothing. Oberon is talking about Demetrius, but because neither Oberon nor Puck knows that there are more than one couple in Athenian clothing in the forest, Puck anoints the eyes of the only one he sees. This happens to be Lysander. Oberon also tells Puck to make sure that the Athenian woman is the first person the Athenian man sees when he awakes. Hermia is sleeping a little way off, so Puck believes that this is the Athenian woman, not realizing that the woman Oberon was speaking of was Helena. Puck says: “Through the forest have I gone. But Athenian found I none, On whose eyes I might approve This flower's force in stirring love. Night and silence.--Who is here? Weeds of Athens he doth wear: This is he, my master said, Despised the Athenian maid; And here the maiden, sleeping sound, On the dank and dirty ground. Pretty soul! she durst not lie Near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy. Churl, upon thy eyes I throw All the power this charm doth owe. When thou wakest, let love forbid Sleep his seat on thy eyelid: So awake when I am gone; For I must now to Oberon.”

23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? When Lysander tells Helena that he wants her instead of Hermia, Helena thinks that he is mocking her. She becomes upset at him for preying on her emotions and, that if it is actually true, that he must be content because Hermia loves Lysander and he would be breaking her heart. Helena wants to protect Hermia from the hurt Helena feels because Hermia and Helena are good friends. Helena says: “Wherefore was I to this keen mockery born? When at your hands did I deserve this scorn? Is't not enough, is't not enough, young man, That I did never, no, nor never can, Deserve a sweet look from Demetrius' eye, But you must flout my insufficiency? Good troth, you do me wrong, good sooth, you do, In such disdainful manner me to woo…”

24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Hermia dept that a serpent was eating her heart away and Lysander just sat there smiling and watched. This is a reflection of reality because Lysander is now in love with Helena. This will cause Hermia a lot of pain because she loves Lysander. Lysander told Hermia that he loved her. Therefore Lysander will be ripping her heart out. Hermia says: “Help me, Lysander, help me! do thy best To pluck this crawling serpent from my breast! Ay me, for pity! what a dream was here! Lysander, look how I do quake with fear: Methought a serpent eat my heart away, And you sat smiling at his cruel pray...”

media type="file" key="Botom's Dream.mp3"

__ Act 3, 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 write a prologue that will tell the ladies in the audience that Pyramus is not actually going to die and that Pyramus is not actually Pyramus, but is being played by Bottom. This prologue will be read so that the woman will not get scared. For the lion there will be another prologue written. Snug will tell the ladies that the lion is actually him and they will be able to see half of his face through the mask. Bottom says: “…Write me a prologue; and let the prologue seem to say, we will do no harm with our swords, and that Pyramus is not killed indeed; and, for the more better assurance, tell them that I, Pyramus, am not Pyramus, but Bottom the weaver: this will put them out of fear.” “Nay, you must name his name, and half his face must be seen through the lion's neck: and he himself must speak through, saying thus, or to the same defect,--'Ladies,'--or 'Fair-ladies--I would wish You,'--or 'I would request you,'--or 'I woulden treat you,--not to fear, not to tremble: my life for yours. If you think I come hither as a lion, it were pity of my life: no I am no such thing; I am a  man as other men are;' and there indeed let him name his name, and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner.”

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? On the date that the play is scheduled, it will be a full moon so, they will try to leave open a window in the theater to let moonlight shine through for the setting. If they cannot do that then they will have to have an actor come in with a lantern and a bush and proclaim that he is the person of Moonshine. The play calls for a wall, but because they cannot actually bring in a wall they will have an actor play the wall. That actor will be dressed as a wall and hold his fingers as if there is a crack in the wall that Pyramus and Thisbe can speak through. Bottom says: “Why, then may you leave a casement of the great chamber window, where we play, open, and the moon may shine in at the casement.” Quince says: “Ay; or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lanthorn, and say he comes to disfigure, or to present, the person of Moonshine.” Bottom says: “Some man or other must present Wall: and let him have some plaster, or some loam, or some rough-cast about him, to signify wall; and let him hold his fingers thus, and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisby whisper.”

27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? The actors run away at Bottom’s reentrance because he has the head of an ass. The other actors are frightened and they think that he is cursed. They run away from Bottom because they are frightened of what has happened to him, and they do not want an ass’s head of their own. Quince says: “Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art translated.” “O monstrous! O strange! we are haunted. Pray,masters! fly, masters! Help!”

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? Puck plans to chase after the actors in different shapes. He will be a headless bear, or a horse, or anything else that will scare the actors. Puck is trying to stir up trouble. He likes the commotion that he has caused with Bottom’s ass head and he wants more commotion. Therefore he is going to scare the actors and chase them around the forest. Puck says: “I'll follow you, I'll lead you about a round, Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier: Sometime a horse I'll be, sometime a hound, A hog, a headless bear, sometime a fire; And neigh, and bark, and grunt, and roar, and burn, Like horse, hound, hog, bear, fire, at every turn.”

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?t30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point says that "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." in the play? When Titania announces that she loves Bottom, Bottom is confused, but he he accepts the fact that this love has randomly come about. At this point, he still wishes to go home. He wants to get out of the forest, but when the fairies become his servants he is pleasantly surprised. He gets really happy and decides to give it a shot if she’s going to treat him so well. Bottom says: “Not so, neither: but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I have enough to serve mine own turn.” Titania says: “Out of this wood do not desire to go: Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no. I am a spirit of no common rate; The summer still doth tend upon my state; And I do love thee: therefore, go with me; I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee, And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, And sing while thou on pressed flowers dost sleep; And I will purge thy mortal grossness so That thou shalt like an airy spirit go. Peaseblossom! Cobweb! Moth! and Mustardseed!

__ Act III, Scene 2 __

31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander. When Hermia awakes and Lysander is not there, she assumes the worst. When she finds Demetrius in the wood, she assumes that Demetrius killed Lysander so that he could have Hermia all to himself. Hermia does not think there could be any reason, other than his death, that Lysander would leave her. When she finds him gone she accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander. Hermia says: “Now I but chide; but I should use thee worse, For thou, I fear, hast given me cause to curse, If thou hast slain Lysander in his sleep, Being o'er shoes in blood, plunge in the deep, And kill me too…” Demetrius says: “So should the murder'd look, and so should I, Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty: Yet you, the murderer, look as bright, as clear, As yonder Venus in her glimmering sphere.”

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? To correct Puck’s mistake, Oberon sends Puck to find Helena and bring her to Demetrius. Then Oberon anoints Demetrius’s eyes, so that when he awakes he will fall in love with Helena. Next, Oberon makes Puck lead all of the four people from Athens in circles until they are too tiered to go any further. Puck will then anoint Lysander’s eyes with a herb that will remove the affects of the previous flower. This will make Lysander fall back in love with Hermia. If everything goes according to plan than Lysander and Hermia will be in love, and Helena and Demetrius will be in love. Oberon says: “About the wood go swifter than the wind, And Helena of Athens look thou find: All fancy-sick she is and pale of cheer, With sighs of love, that costs the fresh blood dear: By some illusion see thou bring her here: I'll charm his eyes against she do appear.” “Thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight: Hie therefore, Robin, overcast the night; The starry welkin cover thou anon With drooping fog as black as Acheron, And lead these testy rivals so astray As one come not within another's way. Like to Lysander sometime frame thy tongue, Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong; And sometime rail thou like Demetrius; And from each other look thou lead them thus, Till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep: Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye; Whose liquor hath this virtuous property, To take from thence all error with his might, And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight. When they next wake, all this derision Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision, And back to Athens shall the lovers wend, With league whose date till death shall never end. Whiles I in this affair do thee employ, I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy; And then I will her charmed eye release From monster's view, and all things shall be peace.”

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Throughout the play Helena has wanted Demetrius to love her, but she becomes upset when he says that he loves her because she thinks that he is mocking her. Helena thinks that Demetrius and Lysander, and later Hermia, are making fun of how she loves Demetrius, but both Lysander and Demetrius love Hermia. Helena does not think that it is possible that both men have fallen in love with her over night. Helena says: “O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent To set against me for your merriment: If you we re civil and knew courtesy, You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? If you were men, as men you are in show, You would not use a gentle lady so; To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals, and love Hermia; And now both rivals, to mock Helena: A trim exploit, a manly enterprise, To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes With your derision! none of noble sort Would so offend a virgin, and extort A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport.”

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? Helena accuses Hermia of mocking her and being in alliance with Demetrius and Lysander. Helena thinks that Hermia has gone against their friendship and plotted against her to make her feel bad. Helena is extremely mad at Hermia because Helena and Hermia have been best friends for a long time. Helena did not think that Hermia would turn against her, but she sees no other explination and is really mad. Helena says: “Lo, she is one of this confederacy! Now I perceive they have conjoin'd all three To fashion this false sport, in spite of me. Injurious Hermia! most ungrateful maid! Have you conspired, have you with these contrived To bait me with this foul derision…”

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? Hermia and Helena had been like sisters. They had been best friends since they were young. They were each other’s best and closest friend. They told each other everything, including when Hermia told Helena of Hermia running away with Lysander even though it was frowned apon. Helena says: “…Is all the counsel that we two have shared, The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent, When we have chid the hasty-footed time For parting us,--O, is it all forgot? All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence? We, Hermia, like two artificial gods, Have with our needles created both one flower, Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion, Both warbling of one song, both in one key, As if our hands, our sides, voices and minds, Had been incorporate. So we grow together, Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, But yet an union in partition; Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; So, with two seeming bodies, but one heart; Two of the first, like coats in heraldry, Due but to one and crowned with one crest...”

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? Lysander treats Hermia little better than Demetrius was treating Helena at the beginning of the play. Lysander no longer loves Hermia, but she cannot understand this. Not twenty-four hours before Lysander was so in love with Hermia that he was willing to run away with her, against Athenian law. He had told her that he loves her, but now he is saying that he wants nothing to do with her. Lysander says (to Hermia): “Get you gone, you dwarf; You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made; You bead, you acorn.”

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia accuses Helena of steeling Lysander from her. Hermia had refused to sleep near or with Lysander the night before, but she thinks that Helena has stolen him from her in the night. Hermia thinks that Helena gave herself to Lysander to make fall in love with her. Hermia is then mad at Helena for steeling her love from her. Hermia says: “O me! you juggler! you canker-blossom! You thief of love! what, have you come by night And stolen my love's heart from him?”

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? Helena is afraid of Hermia because Hermia is short, but feisty. Hermia is quick and is not afraid to get in there and fight hard. She is a good fighter, so Helena is scared of her. However, because Helena is taller she has longer legs to run away with. Helena says: “I will not trust you, I, Nor longer stay in your curst company. Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray, My legs are longer though, to run away.” “O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd! She was a vixen when she went to school; And though she be but little, she is fierce.”

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? Lysander and Demetrius are going off to duke it out over the right to be with Helena. They have both fallen in love with Helena because of the juices of the love-flower. They cannot come to an agreement on who should be with her, so they go into the forest to fight to prove who loves her more. Demitrius says: ”You are too officiousIn her behalf that scorns your services. Let her alone: speak not of Helena; Take not her part; for, if thou dost intend Never so little show of love to her, Thou shalt aby it.” Lysander says: ”Now she holds me not; Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right, Of thine or mine, is most in Helena.”

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? Oberon tells Puck to lead the two men away from eachother so that they will not be able to fight. Oberon wants Puck to lead them astray until they are too tiered to follow or fight any longer. Once both men are asleep Puck is ordered to give the herb to reverse the flower’s affects to Lysander so that he will fall back in love with Hermia. Oberon says: “Thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight: Hie therefore, Robin, overcast the night; The starry welkin cover thou anon With drooping fog as black as Acheron, And lead these testy rivals so astray As one come not within another's way. Like to Lysander sometime frame thy tongue, Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong; And sometime rail thou like Demetrius; And from each other look thou lead them thus, Till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep: Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye; Whose liquor hath this virtuous property, To take from thence all error with his might, And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight. When they next wake, all this derision Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision, And back to Athens shall the lovers wend, With league whose date till death shall never end.”

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Wile Titania is occupied with Bottom Oberon will go and take the boy that started the whole conflict between the two. Then Oberon will use the herb to reverse the affects of the flower, to put everything at peace. Oberon says: “Whiles I in this affair do thee employ, I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy; And then I will her charmed eye release From monster's view, and all things shall be peace.”

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Oberon is not scared for the next day because everything will be worked out. Hermia and Lysander will be in love. Demetrius and Hermia will be a couple. Oberon will have the boy, and Titania will no longer be in love with Bottom. All of the relationships that Oberon and Puck have medled with will be mended. Oberon says: “But we are spirits of another sort: I with the morning's love have oft made sport, And, like a forester, the groves may tread, Even till the eastern gate, all fiery-red, Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams, Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams. But, not with standing, haste; make no delay: We may effect this business yet ere day.”

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? Puck’s trickery works well because by the end of the scene none of the characters have physically fought each other, but they all end up resting near each other. None of them know that they are so close, but in the morning they think that they have all had a very peculiar dream. They do not remember the exact events of the night. Since they can’t explain it they pass it off as a dream; exactly what Oberon wanted. Puck says: “...Thou takest True delight In the sight Of thy former lady's eye: And the country proverb known, That every man should take his own, In your waking shall be shown: Jack shall have Jill; Nought shall go ill; The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well.”

==== ** 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 **
 * -Titania gives Bottom four fairies to attend to him, which keeps him from leaving the forest **
 * -Oberon and Puck witness as Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander **
 * -Oberon relises that Puck put the love-juice into the wrong person’s eyes **
 * -Oberon gets Puck to get **** Helena **** wile Oberon puts the love juice in Demetrius’s eyes **
 * -Demetrius falls in love with **** Helena **
 * - **** Helena **** thinks that Demetrius, Lysander and Hermia are playing a cruel joke on her **
 * -Hermia accuses **** Helena **** of steeling Lysander away from her **
 * -Lysander and Demetrius verbally fight over **** Helena **
 * -Herima threatens to hurt **** Helena **
 * -Lysander and Demetrius go into the woods to physically fight for **** Helena **** ’s love **
 * -Oberon has Puck go and lead the four Athenians in circles until they are too tiered to go any further, so that they will not harm each other **
 * -Oberon has Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes with the herb to counteract the love-juice, so that in the moring Lysander and Hermia will be in love, and Demetrius and Helena will be in love **

Puck says: Nought shall go ill; The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well."
 * “ ** Jack shall have Jill;

__ Act IV, Scene 1 __

44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom is accepting the fairy’s help like he is accustomed to this treatment. He gives them all tasks and uses them for whatever he wants. He gives them tasks and asks them to perform them as best they can, but they must be done right. He uses the fairies as servants. He also uses Titania’s wealth to get what ever he wants. He feels like a king and is being treated like one. He uses the fairies as servants and he allows Titania to fondle over him, so long as he continues to get whatever he wants. Bottom says: ”Mounsieur Cobweb, good mounsieur, get you your weapons in your hand, and kill me a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a thistle; and, good mounsieur, bring me the honey-bag. Do not fret yourself too much in the action, mounsieur; and, good mounsieur, have a care the honey-bag break not; I would be loath to have you overflown with a honey-bag, signior…”

“I had rather have a handful or two of dried peas. But, I pray you, let none of your people stir me: I have an exposition of sleep come upon me.”

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Oberon is jealous of how much attention is Titania is giving Bottom. Titania is Oberon’s wife, and he loves her. It is hard for him to sit and watch Titania in love with anyone other than himself, especially a vile creature. Oberon is jealous, but now he has the changeling so he can reverse the love-juice. He feels bad that she is so helpless. Oberon says:

“Welcome, good Robin. See'st thou this sweet sight? Her dotage now I do begin to pity: For, meeting her of late behind the wood, Seeking sweet favours from this hateful fool, I did upbraid her and fall out with her; For she his hairy temples then had rounded With a coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers; And that same dew, which sometime on the buds Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls, Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail. When I had at my pleasure taunted her And she in mild terms begg'd my patience, I then did ask of her her changeling child; Which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent To bear him to my bower in fairy land. And now I have the boy, I will undo This hateful imperfection of her eyes...”

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? Oberon will tell Titania that she fell in love with Bottom all on her own. He does not want to continue fighting with Titania so he will not tell her about the love-juice. Because she cheated on him with Bottom, and he took the child, they are even and no longer have cause to fight. Oberon says:

“Silence awhile. Robin, take off this head.Titania, music call; and strike more dead.”Than common sleep of all these five the sense.”

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They are out early because it is Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding day. This is cause for a celebratory hunt. The hunt starts early which is why Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus and the others are in the forest so early. Theseus says:

“We will, fair queen, up to the mountain's top, And mark the musical confusion Of hounds and echo in conjunction.”

48. What is Theseus’s first explanaton of why the young people are asleep in the woods? The first explination that Theseus gives is that the young people are there because they knew of the hunt and came to observe and have Hermia give her answer to Theseus as to what she is going to with her life. Theseus says:

“No doubt they rose up early to observe The rite of May, and hearing our intent, Came here in grace our solemnity. But speak, Egeus; is not this the day That Hermia should give answer of her choice?”

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? Demetrius explains that Helena told him that Hermia and Lysander were running away, so he went after them. However he ended up fdalling in love with Helena and his love for Hermia disappeared. Demetrius compared his love for Hermia like an illness because when you’re sick food tastes different. You may like soup a lot more than you like crackers when you are sick. When you get better you could no longer love soup, but love crackers. This is how Demetrius compares his love to Hermia and Helena. Hermia is the soup and Helena is the cracker. Demetrius says:

“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.”

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? Theseus decides to overrule Egeus and let Hermia marry Lysander. As well Theseus decides that Demetrius and Helena will be married. Both couples will be married at the same time as Hippolyta and Theseus later the same day. Theseus says:

“Fair lovers, you are fortunately met: Of this discourse we more will hear anon. Egeus, I will overbear your will; For in the temple by and by with us These couples shall eternally be knit: And, for the morning now is something worn, Our purposed hunting shall be set aside. Away with us to Athens; three and three, We'll hold a feast in great solemnity.”

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? They cannot tell because the whole night before seems like a dream, and they are just waking up. Then Theseus tells them that their dreams of marrying each other are all coming true. The Athenians are unsure of whether or not they are dreaming because they cannot remember how they got to where they are in the forest, but everything seems to be falling into place. Demetrius says: “These things seem small and undistinguishable,” Helena says: “Methinks I see these things with parted eye, When every thing seems double.”

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? Bottom is going to have Peter Quince write a ballad about his experience. He wants to sing it at the end of the play in front of the duke. Bottom says: “...I will get Peter Quince to write a ballad of this dream: it shall be called Bottom's Dream, because it hath no bottom; and I will sing it in the latter end of a play, before the duke…”

__ Act IV, Scene 2 __

53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? The artisans were sad not only because they could not do the play without Bottom, but also because they are upset that he, himself, is gone. They are upset because Bottom is gone and he will no longer be around to cheer them all up. Quince says: “Yea and the best person too; and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice.”

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? They most regret not being able to get paid for their performance. They would get paid a large sum of money to perform the play, and they were upset that they would not receve that money if Bottom could not perform. Flute says: “O sweet bully Bottom! Thus hath he lost six pence aday during his life; he could not have 'scaped sixpence a day: an the duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing Pyramus, I'll be hanged; he would have deserved it: sixpence a day in Pyramus, or nothing.”

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? They must hurry because the duke has already eaten and after the feast comes the entertainment. They do not know what Theseus will pick, but if he does choose to see their play then they must be ready in time and start preparing for the performance as soon as possible. Bottom says: “Not a word of me. All that I will tell you is, that the duke hath dined. Get your apparel together, good strings to your beards, new ribbons to your pumps; meet presently at the palace; every man look o'er his part; for the short and the long is, our play is preferred. In any case, let Thisby have clean linen; and let not him that plays the lion pair his nails, for they shall hang out for the lion's claws. And, most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath; and I do not doubt but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy. No more words: away! go, away!”

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? Bottom seems to be very full of himself. He thinks that he is all that and he that his opinions are always correct. I think that Bottom is stuck up, but is very happy. Theseus is very serious and does not think that he has all of the answers. Bottom tries to run the  play.  play, where as Theseus takes the advice from Hippolyta very seriously. Theseus is the opposite charater to Bottom because Theseus is high class  society;  society, and Bottom is the average working man. Theseus welcomes the opinions of  other;  other. Bottom thinks that his opinions are the only ones that mater. Even though Theseus is a duke he does not think that he is all that; that, but Bottom thinks that he is the center of the universe.

‍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 are confused when they wake up. They are confused about how they got to where they are and what happened the night before. Demetrius is permanently changed. He is now in love with Helena due to the  love juice.  love-juice. No other Athenian has changed who they love.

‍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 saying that love can be surprising. Titania looks back at her love for Bottom and cannot believe that she  could ever  have loved such a vile creature. She is  surprised that she loved him.  very surprised. Demetrius looks back on his love for Hermia as a sickness. He cannot believe that he ever loved her  wile  when he now feels nothing. The fact that love can be so strong one day and be nonexistent the next is an example of how unpredictable love can be. Shakespeare is telling readers that infatuation is unpredictable.

__ Act V __

56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? Theseus dismisses the stories of the Athenians because he thinks that people that are in love don’t think straight. He thinks that because the four Athenians are in love they are crazy. Therefore he dismisses the stories of the Athenians as love talking. Theseus says:

“More strange than true: I never may believe These antique fables, nor these fairy toys. Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend More than cool reason ever comprehends. The lunatic, the lover and the poet Are of imagination all compact: One sees more devils than vast hell can hold, That is, the madman: the lover, all as frantic, Sees Helen's beauty in a brow of Egypt: The poet's eye, in fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; And as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name. Such tricks hath strong imagination, That if it would but apprehend some joy, It comprehends some bringer of that joy; Or in the night, imagining some fear, How easy is a bush supposed a bear!”

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? The other entertainments he has either seen, is not appropriate, or not what he wants. The play that he chooses he chooses because of how oxymoronic the description was. He was so intrigued that the play was what he chose. Theseus says:

“'A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus And his love Thisbe; very tragical mirth. 'Merry and tragical! tedious and brief! That is, hot ice and wondrous strange snow. How shall we find the concord of this discord?”

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate tries to get Theseus to choose anything besides the play because Philostrate knows how bad the play is. He has already seen the play and he knows that it is not good and he does not want Theseus to see it. He tells Theseus that it is a very short play, but it is too long. He also tells Theseus that it is not acted well. Pilostrate says:

“A play there is, my lord, some ten words long, Which is as brief as I have known a play; But by ten words, my lord, it is too long, Which makes it tedious; for in all the play There is not one word apt, one player fitted: And tragical, my noble lord, it is; For Pyramus therein doth kill himself. Which, when I saw rehearsed, I must confess, Made mine eyes water; but more merry tears The passion of loud laughter never shed.”

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? This quote means that the play cannot be that bad if it is simple and the actors try hard. Theseus thinks that if the actors try hard and they do not try to overcomplicate the play than it will be a good choice of play. Theseus says:

“I will hear that play; For never anything can be amiss, When simpleness and duty tender it. Go, bring them in: and take your places, ladies.”

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? The purpose of the Prologue is to introduce the setting and characters. The Prologue for Pyramus and Thisby summarizes the script badly, but he is trying to tell the audience what is going to happen so they do not become confused when it is acted out. Prologue says:

“If we offend, it is with our good will. That you should think, we come not to offend, But with good will. To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning of our end. Consider then we come but in despite. We do not come as minding to contest you, Our true intent is. All for your delight We are not here. That you should here repent you, The actors are at hand and by their show You shall know all that you are like to know.”

“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. This man, with lime and rough-cast, doth present Wall, that vile Wall which did these lovers sunder; And through Wall's chink, poor souls, they are content To whisper. At the which let no man wonder. This man, with lanthorn, dog, and bush of thorn, Presenteth Moonshine; for, if you will know, By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn To meet at Ninus' tomb, there, there to woo. This grisly beast, which Lion hight by name, The trusty Thisby, coming first by night, Did scare away, or rather did affright; And, as she fled, her mantle she did fall, Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain. Anon comes Pyramus, sweet youth and tall, And finds his trusty Thisby's mantle slain: Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast; And Thisby, tarrying in mulberry shade, His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest, Let Lion, Moonshine, Wall, and lovers twain At large discourse, while here they do remain.”

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? It enhances the humour of the play because in places the performers reply to the audiences comments. The audience also points out all of the errors that make the play so silly. The audience points out how the play is so silly it’s funny. Bottom/Prymus says:

“No, in truth, sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisby'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.”

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? Hippolyta thinks that the play is silly. She does not like how unprofessional the play is and thinks that it was not the best choice for entertainment. Hippolyta says:

“This is the silliest stuff that ever I heard.”

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Thisby’s final speech is humourous because Thisby is being played by a man. Thisby looks very silly because she is being played by a man. The costume is not very good. The script is repetitive. With all of these problems the final speech is funny. Thisby says:

“And thus she means, videlicet:--Thisbe Asleep, my love? What, dead, my dove? O Pyramus, arise! Speak, speak. Quite dumb? Dead, dead? A tomb Must cover thy sweet eyes. These My lips, This cherry nose, These yellow cowslip cheeks, Are gone, are gone: Lovers, make moan: His eyes were green as leeks. O Sisters Three,Come, come to me, With hands as pale as milk; Lay them in gore, Since you have shore With shears his thread of silk. Tongue, not a word: Come, trusty sword; Come, blade, my breast imbrue: Stabs herself And, farewell, friends ;Thus Thisby ends: Adieu, adieu, adieu.”

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Oberon tells the fairies to bless the house and make sure that all those getting married. He wants all of them to help him and Titania bless the couples with prosperity and happiness. Oberon says:

“Now, until the break of day, Through this house each fairy stray. To the best bride-bed will we, Which by us shall blessed be; And the issue there create Ever shall be fortunate. So shall all the couples three Ever true in loving be; And the blots of Nature's hand Shall not in their issue stand; Never mole, hare lip, nor scar, Nor mark prodigious, such as are Despised in nativity, Shall upon their children be. With this field-dew consecrate, Every fairy take his gait; And each several chamber bless, Through this palace, with sweet peace; And the owner of it blest Ever shall in safety rest. Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day.”

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? Puck’s final speech addresses the readers of the play. It says that if the play has offended anyone that they should pretend that the play was only a dream. This is a great way to end the play because it ties in to the dreams that the Athenians had and the dream that Bottom had. It makes readers question whether we are really reading the play or if we are dreaming. Puck says:

“If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber'd here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall 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-Pyramus says: “…For, by thy gracious, golden, glittering gleams…”

Prologue says: “…Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast…”

breaking the play’s illusion of reality-Pyramus says: “No, in truth, sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisby'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-Pyramus says: “I see a voice: now will I to the chink, To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face. Thisby!”

repeating a word excessively-Pyramus says: “…O night, O night! alack, alack, alack…” ”… Now die, die, die, die, die…”

ridiculous metaphor-Prymus says: “Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true.” Thisbe says: “As Shafalus to Procrus, I to you.”

=== ‍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 Thisby. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers? It helps me understand the relationship between an audience and performers, because the audience for Pyramus and Thisby was very rude. This showed me that the mood of the audience can greatly affect the play. If the audience had not commented on the play Bottom would not have broken down the fourth wall and talked directly to the audience. Without the rude audience Flute, as Thisby, would not have taken his wig off for his final speech and delivered it so well. The rude audience inspired Flute to play his part well, but made Bottom break the illusion of reality. The rude audience made me understand that it is a good thing to give some criticism, but too much can have negative results. ===

=== ‍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 “That 70’s Show” Fez is silly and “clueless”. Steven is clever and sarcastic. The director often has them play off of each other to get great laughs. The director uses the opposite personalities to create funny scenarios. ===

=== ‍c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisby might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier? The play Pyramus and Thisby is inappropriate for a wedding because the two lovers end up dieing. A wedding is supposed to be a joyous joining of two people in love. In Pyramus and Thisby the lovers do not have a happy end. It is a comedy, but it is also a tragedy. The three couples getting married want to be together forever not end up dead. It is ironic that Pyrumus and Thisby was the play because, just like Egeus did not want Hermia to marry Lysander, Pyramus and Thisby’s parents did not want them together. The fact that Pyramus thought that Thisby was dead, so he killed himself, then Thisby ended up killing herself because Pyramus was dead happened because of mistaken assumptions, like when Puck put the love-juice in the wrong man’s eyes, which caused a huge misunderstanding. It is ironic that Pyramus and Thisby was chosen as the play to be preformed given the Athenians recent predicament. ===

Completion 25/25 Effort 30/25 Content 25/25 Total 80/75

Podcast 1 - 20/20 Podcast 2 - NHI