A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

media type="file" key="Bottom's Dream Podcast by Talia and Olivia.m4a" width="300" height="50" Podcast 2 ~ Bottom's Dream Ballad Olivia and Talia   When I returned to the clearing, My fellow actors ran fast, The emotional pain was searing, I had the head of an ass. She woke to the sound of my voice, Titania, was her name, Her love did not give me a choice, My heart is what her heart did claim. And then with a flash, I awoke, Something had changed, it did seem, When I knew she had left, my heart broke, Was it real, or was it all just a dream.   “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
 * media type="file" key="Shakespeare Podcast Talia and Olivia.m4a" width="300" height="50" Podcast 1 ~ Night Images Olivia and Talia 
 * Stanza 1:**
 * Stanza 2:**
 * Stanza 3:**

Act I, Scene 1  1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? Hippolyta thinks the next four days will pass quickly, whereas Theseus is impatient and cannot wait to get married. Hippolyta says: "Four days will quickly steep themselves in night. Four nights will quickly dream away the time."

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Egeus would like the right to kill his daughter is she doesn't marry Demetrius. He hopes that Theseus will enforce this law. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Egeus says: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Full of vexation come I, with complaint against my child, my daughter Hermia."

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Women must agree to the orders of their husband or father. Theseus has the right to tell Hermia who to marry, or to kill her. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It angers Demetrius because he does not wish to be spoken poorly of, and it angers Egeus because he is already upset with Lysander for making Hermia fall in love with him.

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They plan to meet in the woods and sneak off to Lysander's aunt's house to get married. They tell Helena because she is Hermia's best friend and she is in love with Demetrius.

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? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Helena tells Demetrius because she hopes he will be so grateful to her that he will fall in love with her. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hermia has been given a choice between death, becoming a nun, and marrying Demetrius. Lysander proposes that they run away together. Act I, Scene 2

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?

He thinks he can play them all so well. He wants to showcase his "talent" (or lack thereof). He wants recognition.

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

Bottom's huge ego makes this scene funny. He has so much confidence and gets completely shut down. It's a good break and contrast from the intensity of the first scene.

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

Hermia and Lysander plan to meet in the woods, which is where the actors plan to meet.

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

He is pretty good at acting, but not as good as he thinks he is.

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?

Oberon is angry with Titania for keeping the child for herself.

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

Oberon loved Hippolyta; Titania loved Theseus. They have come to Athens for the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

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

It has caused storms and nasty winters for people. It has messed with the weather and altered the seasons.

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

Titania is loyal to the child's mother.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find?

The flower with the power to make people fall in love.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania?

He wants to make Titania fall in love with some beast as revenge for not giving him the child.

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

She falls deeper in love with him.

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

She allows him to do whatever he pleases to her, as long as she may follow him.

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

Women are supposed to obey men.

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

He tells Puck to put the juice of the flower in Demetrius' eyes and make sure Helena is the first thing he sees when he awakes.

Act II, Scene 2

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

He is mad at her for not giving him the child.

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

She wishes to keep her purity until marriage. She respects herself and is willing to be patient.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?

He sees that he is an Athenian man. He thinks he is Demetrius.

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

She thinks he is mocking her love for Demetrius.

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

Her heart has been ripped out by Demetrius no longer loving her. ||

25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They are going to have a prologue explaining that the lion isn't real and no one dies. They want to show half of the lion's face.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Act III, Scene 1

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wall: Actor <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Moonlight: Lantern <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He has the head of a donkey.

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He enjoys the attention. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love is not logical. People change their minds. Some love is "forbidden". But in the end, it all works out.

Act III, Scene 2 31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She accuses him of killing Lysander.

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They are going to put the juice in Lysander's eyes again, so he falls back in love with Hermia.

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She doesn't believe him. His sudden change of heart makes her think he is playing a cruel trick on her.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Playing a joke on her, with the help of Lysander and Demetrius, to mock her.

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Very, very close. Best friends. Like sisters.

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They had been so in love, but now he hates her and is very rude to her.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She accuses her of taking Lysander from her.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They get into violent fight.

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Fight to decide who gets Helena.

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Separate them, make them fall asleep, and put the juice in Lysander's eyes.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Let her be humiliated for a while, then give her the antidote.

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Everything needs to be sorted out in a limited amount of time. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Very well. Everything ends up working out. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> **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.**


 * 1. Titania wakes up, sees Bottom, and is instantly in love with him.**


 * 2. Puck tells Oberon what happened with Titania.**


 * 3. Hermia is convinced that Demetrius killed Lysander.**


 * 4. Demetrius falls asleep. Puck comes back with Lysander and Helena.**


 * 5. Helena doesn't believe Lysander loves her.**


 * 6. Demetrius falls in love with Helena.**


 * 7. Hermia doesn't believe Lysander loves Helena and not her.**


 * 8. Helena accuses Hermia of playing a trick on her, Lysander is really rude to Hermia, the two men leave.**


 * 9. Oberon is mad at Puck and orders him to separate the men and make them fall asleep and put the juice in Lysander's eyes.**


 * 10. Puck gets the men to chase him by pretending to be them.**

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?
 * 11. They finally fall asleep, and Puck puts the juice in Lysander's eyes.** <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

He has started attempting to elevate his language. He enjoys the attention. He starts asking the fairies for things.

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

He finds it hilarious at first, but then he feels bad.

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

He changes the subject.

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

They are hunting in celebration of the wedding.

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

They want to help them celebrate the wedding.

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

He feels he has come to his senses, that his love for Hermia was fleeting and untrue.

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

They can marry the ones they love.

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

The juice that caused them to fall in love so quickly and deeply is clearly not their true, natural feelings.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He will write a ballad about it to perform.

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

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

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

Bottom is obnoxious, egotistical and loud. Theseus is humble, reserved and polite.

c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love is blind. We don't truly see someone when we have feelings for them. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> || <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He thinks the fact that the actors aren't very good will make it entertaining. It's not very long, so it won't be too painful.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The actor's are inexperienced. They are just handymen.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The actors are trying their best. They are honest and mean well.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If the women are frightened, it is then not the actors' fault. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The audience mocks the actors. Their comments bring to light some humorous aspects of the performance.

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">At first she just thinks it's ridiculous, but after a while, she becomes a good sport and goes along with it. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 63. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The actor says "Ninny" instead of "Ninus".

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Keep the couples safe and not interfere with their love.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He says that if the play was not enjoyed, to imagine it as 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. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">excessive alliteration: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That lived, that loved, that liked, that look'd with cheer. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> breaking the play’s illusion of reality: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You, ladies, you, whose gentle hearts do fear The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor, May now perchance both quake and tremble here, When lion rough in wildest rage doth roar. Then know that I, one Snug the joiner, am A lion-fell, nor else no lion's dam; For, if I should as lion come in strife Into this place, 'twere pity on my life. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> using the wrong word or name: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is old Ninny's tomb. <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> repeating a word excessively: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now die, die, die, die, die.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> ridiculous metaphor: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My soul is in the sky: Tongue, lose thy light; Moon take thy flight: <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 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 seems people were much more casual and open about their thoughts when watching a play back then. The constant conversation of the audience makes it clear how they are receiving the play. It also shows how they see the ridiculousness of it all, yet still enjoy it.===

=== 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? ===

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">T.V. example: Penny (clueless) and Sheldon (clever) on The Big Bang Theory Example within the play: === === <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bottom (clueless) and Quince (clever) <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> === 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? === Inappropriate:

~ bad luck in love ~ tragedy

Appropriate:

~ passionate love ~ determination

Irony:

~ lovers run away ~ a person thinks their lover is dead when they are not || Completion 25/25 Effort 19/25 Content 20/25 total 64/75

Podcast 1 - 18/20 Podcast 2 - 19/20