A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

Hunter and Chantelles podcast. media type="file" key="Podcastfinal.m4a" width="300" height="50" As thou stalked upon thy stage in the middle of summer on a fine night, Thou’st friends fled the scene in fright! Above thyself the maiden of my dreams in deep slumber, Awakened to the sight of my rear bumper.

In love she fell so fast and untrue, her fairies my sudden devotees. Fondling my asses ears, they were so eager to please. As I rested so content in her arms, fade did the magic of the fey, When at last I awoke to a wonderful summer’s dream in the middle of day. 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? Hippolyta's reasoning differs from Theseus' in that Hippolyta thinks that the time will easily and quickly go by. Theseus, however, believes that the days feel long and are not going by fast enough and is impatient.

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? Egeus has brought His daughter, Lysander, and Demetrius to Theseus to ask that if Hermia will not marry Demetrius, he has the right to kill her. Egeus expects Theseus to either force Hermia to marry Demetrius or allow him to kill 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? Theseus says that Hermia should respect his father and follow in his foot steps. In Athens, a woman was almost like a possession to a man, and was to be directed by men. Theseus rules that Hermia, with such looks, should listen to her father, or the Athens' law about how a father can control his daughter's marriage will be used.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander's comment about how Demetrius quickly changed his love choice, complicates things by both shocking Egeus and Theseus, and given Egeus a more uncertain view about Demetrius. Egeus probably is to concerned about his ego to consciously except the doubt though.

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? Hermia and Lysander plan on running away to Lysander's Aunt house that is out of Theseus' rule. They tell Helena hoping she will be happy knowing Hermia will be gone so she can go for 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? She plans on telling Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia's plan thinking Demetius will be so gracious of her, he will fall in love with her 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 her father wants her to marry Demetrius and Demetrius loves Hermia. Hermia, on the other hand, is in love with Lysander. The only options given by Theseus are marry Demetrius, be killed by Egeus, or become a nun. Lysander gives Hermia the option of running away to his Aunts house where Theseus has to rule.

Act I, Scene 2

8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Nick Bottom wants to play all parts because he is loud, ignorant, and wanting of attention. He might want to play all the parts because at home he feels ignored, but he thinks on the stage he will be recognized and respected.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because it shows a comical relief character, who is loud, and attention grabbing. He could also be called a fool. It also shows the humour in stage. Such as when Flute has to play a woman " FLUTE: Nay, faith, let me not play a woman; I have a beard coming."

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? The actors are to meet outside of Athens in the forest to practise. Hermia and Lysander are also meeting there that same night.

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? Bottom's actin ability, in front of his friends and fellows, is confident and well. However, he may get nervous in front of many people he does not know. I think when he did act, he seemed confident and very projecting.

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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? They find out that they are a angry couple who do not usually get online. The two of them have a hate towards each other and Oberon finds humour in playing tricks on Titania.

11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? They both have had affairs with the two Athen rulers.

12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? When they fight it causes storms, earthquakes, and natural disasters alike.

13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? She won't give up the changeling to Oberon because he wants to make the child a Knight for himself.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Oberon sends puck to find a magic flower that when squeezed into ones eyes while they sleep, they first animal they see, they fall in love with.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? Oberon plans Puck to find the flower and squeeze it into Titania's eyes and make her fall in love with some animal.

16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? She acts in a strange, obsessed way, not giving up and accepting he is bad. She instead keeps following him.

17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? She says that hitting her will only make her follow him more intently, and deepen her love.

18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? She does not follow the man's orders like other Athenian women are supposed to.

19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Oberon tells puck to put some of the flower juice into Demetrius's eyes and make him fall in love with Helena.

Act II, Scene 2 20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing? He wants revenge for not listening to him and not giving him the changeling. Also, when she is distracted he can take the child for himself.

21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? Hermia wishes to stay modest until they get married.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? Puck puts the juice into Lysander's eyes because he thinks Lysander was the one he was told to make fall in love, who really was Demetrius

23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? She thinks Lysander is mocking and teasing her. She becomes mad and sad at Lysander and yells at him.

24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Her dream reflects the current situation, Lysander metaphorically ripping out her heart after falling in love with Helena. Lysander is smiling in the dream, showing that he is fine with the pain she is feeling, that he does not mind.

Act III, Scene 1

25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars? They are going to have a prologue telling the audience that they are only actors and that the lion is also only a working man and not in fact a lion.

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? They are going to have a man holding a lantern and have a man play a wall, using his fingers to represent the chink in the wall.

27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? They run off in fear from bottom because Puck has put the head of an ass onto Bottom since Puck thought Bottom himself, was an ass.

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? Pucks plans on chasing and leading the other actors around the forest.

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? He reacts by quite quickly accepting the situation and taking advantage of it, ordering the fairies to fetch him food and groom him.

30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? In the story, Hermia's father is trying to force love without reason, Puck is using the magical flowers to cause love, and despite Helena's loyalty, Demetrius ignores her. All of these things are without reason.

Act III, Scene 2

31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander in his sleep so he can have her.

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? Puck is going to put the flower juice into Lysander's eyes to make him fall back in love with Hermia and also put the flower into Demetrius' eyes to make him fall in love with Helena.

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Helena is upset because she thinks that Demetrius is only mocking her and does not really love her.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? Helena accuses Hermia of being a part of a plan to mock and pock fun at her.

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? They both had been close friends since their childhood.

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? Lysander treats Hermia foully and becomes very rude to her, saying she is useless and he will only shake her off like a serpent.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia accuses Helena of seducing Lysander on purpose to get revenge for Demetrius loving Hermia and not her.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? Helena is scared of Hermia not only because she threatens to claw Helena's eyes out with her nails, but because she know that Hermia is a stronger person than her, and could rid her of both men.

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? They are off to either discuss, or fight for Helena to be their's.

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? Oberon tells Puck to lead the two away from each other and then put the flower juice into their eyes, making them fall in love with the right woman.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Oberon is going to make Titania ask and beg for the antidote to the love potion in exchange for Oberon taking the changeling child.

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Oberon has the ability to stay in sunlight unlike other fairies.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? Puck's trickery is able to lead both men away and make them both fall in love with the right women, Puck's trickery worked very 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 wakes and falls in love with bottom -Bottom orders the fairies -Bottom stays in Titania's garden -Puck sees what has happened -Oberon makes his plan for remedy in exchange for the changeling -Hermia accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander -Demetrius falls asleep -Puck anoints his eyes with he love flower -Lysander speaks love to Helena -Helena eccuses him of mocking her -Lysander and Demetrius argue over Helena -Helena runs away -Pucks leads Lysander and Demetrius away from each other -They all fall asleep -Pucks applies the flower to Lysander's eyes.

Act IV, Scene 1

44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom enjoys the attention and treats it as an opportunity to be treated like a king.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Once Oberon has the changeling, he feels sorry for what he has done to Titania.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? Oberon tries to dodge Titania's question by asking her to dance.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They are celebrating the upcoming wedding with a early morning fox hunt.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? Theseus explanation is that they are there to watch the stars in celebration of the wedding.

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? Demetrius explains that he was wrong to love Hermia and compares his love to Hermia to an illness because illnesses do not last for the rest of your life. Well unless you die from the illness, but the point is still made.

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? He decided that they would all have a three way wedding despite Egeus' decision.

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? They cannot remember the past night in whole and what would have caused them to change love so fast.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? He is going to have Peter Quince right a ballad about his dream and recite it at the end of the play.

Act IV, Scene 2

53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? The artisans now respect and realize how much Bottom meant to the play. They think of him as noble now instead of just a simple workman.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? The regret that they will not be payed for all their hard work.

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? They need to get dressed and prepare for the performance.

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 that Bottom is a character filled with misfortune, and his confidence fuelled by his ignorance. I believe that how he portrays himself is not actually what he is inside. His soul being slowly killed by his own mind through his own lack of expression of his true self. However, Theseus seems that his outer being can be translated easily to his feelings and mind. His knowledge being his strength with Bottom's less educated self being his downfall.

b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?
Most people wake up from a dream and try to recall the dream, only to be disappointed by it's mystery. After his dream, or his reality, Demetrius is forever changed.

c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
Shakespeare is saying that love is not always caused by reason and its beginnings are often foolish. Despite their own disbelief they seem to ignore the doubt, as is Shakespeare is saying that you should not always go with the flow of love.

Act V

56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? He dismisses the stories because he thinks that they may have just dreamt up the whole thing at night in the woods.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? He chooses it because it tells a tale of love and also due to the complicated time, a play made by simple towns folk would be relaxing.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate thinks that the play is very bad and would disappoint Theseus. He says that the play is very amateur and is so bad that it is funny to mock.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? He means that things that keep simple and have effort, or as he says duty, it will always provide something good.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? It was written to make sure the ladies did not think that they actually killed themselves and so that they would not be frightened.

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? He has the people of the audience point out the flaws in the play to point out the humour in the play, and also to show that it is part of the play and not just bad actors.

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? She finds it humours and silly at the beginning but then grows bored and feels it is too long.

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Thisby's final speech is Humorous because it is obvious that the part is being played by a man and Bottom speaks directly to the audience during it.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Oberon tells the fairies to rid the couples children of problems by blessing the ones being wed.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? The purpose of Puck's final speech was to tell everyone that if they did not enjoy it, do not prevent others from seeing it and ruin it for them. If they did not like it then just pretend it was only 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:

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: "Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast;"

breaking the play’s illusion of reality: "No assure you; the wall is down that parted their fathers. Will it please you to see the epilogue, or to hear a Bergomask dance between two of our company?"

using the wrong word or name: To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face. Thisby!" repeating a word excessively: "O night, O night! alack, alack, alack,"

ridiculous metaphor: "bloody blameful blade,"

=== 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 lets you understand that the audience is very closely related to the actors and the play. It shows that the less serious the play, the less serious the audience will act.

=== 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? === Bottom is a perfect example of a comic relief character. He is foolish, ignorant, and full of himself. You connect to him because he is entertaining and relatable. In Spongebob, Patrick Star is comic relief. He is often out of it, he is always silly, and just a loveable character that relaxes you from the often worrisome plot.

=== c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier? === Pyramus and Thisbe is about love causes horrid and tragic death. Love causing catastrophe is not something to be preformed and a wedding which is completely dependant on love. In the play two lovers are separated by their parents, in the actual story Lysander and Hermia are separated by their parents. Lysander and Hermia have a happy ending while Pyramus and Thisbe die in a gory misfortune under a similar situation.

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

Total 70/75

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