A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream+Questions+Continued

Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom has adapted very well to the attention of Titania and her fairies. At first, he was slightly unsure about things but he is starting to get used to the caring and grooming that he gets. He really enjoys himself and has some fun with the fairies, getting slightly witty and demanding.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Oberon's reaction to Titania's relationship with Bottom is slightly pleased with himself but, he feels a slight sense of guilt when he sees what he has done. He started to take pity on Titania and decided that it was time to reverse the juice and return things back to the way they were.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? When Titania asks about what happened to her, Oberon plans to tell her that everything that happened was a dream. He is going to tell her that she was asleep the entire time and that nothing that happened was real.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus and the others were all out in the woods early in the morning because Theseus and Hippolyta were out hunting before their wedding. They were out spending time with others as well and they just so happened to see Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? Theseus' first explanation of why the young people were in the woods was that they were to see Theseus and Hippolyta before their wedding. He thinks that they were there out of respect for him and Hippolyta. 49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? The explanation that Demetrius makes is that he was told by Helena about how Lysander and Hermia were trying to sneak off and get married, and he followed them to try and get her back. He compares his love for Hermia to an illness because being sick is not being your normal self, so he was 'sick' when he fell in love with Hermia. Also, he says that, like a sickness, he loathed this food. This means that like a sickness (which is something everyone hates) he hated what he had, which was a love for Hermia. He hated what Egeus was trying to get him to do and he then realized that he loved Helena. 50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? Theseus' decision concerning the four young people is that they will all have a wedding. Kind of like a triple wedding where all three couples will get married at the same time. He decides that Lysander and Hermia, Helena and Demetrius and Hippolyta and himself will all share one wedding. 51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? The young people aren't sure whether or not they are awake or dreaming because everything doesn't seem like it's really happening. They think that their love for each other is so true and unbelievable that it can't be real because they got what they wanted which had a slim chance of happening, in the first place. Their dreams came true and they think that it's so great and they cannot believe it is really happening. 52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? Bottom also has a dream and he plans on using his dream to entertain the Duke by getting Quince to write a ballad about it. After Peter writes the ballad called "Bottom's Dream", Bottom will perform it infront of the Duke, at the end of the play, to add to their play and share his dream. Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? The other artisans think that they can't do the play without him, since he has dissappeared. In their opinion, he is the only actor in all of Athens who could play the part of Pyramus and h ewill always be the best as it. However, some people think that is he doesn't do this play, he won't get paid and he will rightfully deserve it.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? By not being able to perform the play, they most regret losing Bottom as well as their money. They regret not being able to perform and because they aren't very rich, they live off of what they are paid and will suffer without this money. 55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? The artisans must hurry to the Duke's palace because Bottom has returned. This means that they still have a chance to perform their play at the wedding and get what they worked for and wanted. It may not go well, but they will stil try.


 * Extending the thought process. **

My opinion of Bottom's character is that he is quite an important part of this story. He is involved with two parts (the play and Titania) of this play and is important in both parts. He is very high on himself and egotistic, but sometimes he seems a bit unsure. However, he is mostly confident and speaks his opinion, he not only speaks it but makes sure that his ideas get followed through. He is the opposite of Theseus' character because Theseus, who is also important, isn't as connected with more parts of this story. He plays one part and stays there, he's only conected with the part of himself and Hippolyta. He isn't egotistic and selfish, he's more of a pushover sometimes, like how he makes choices based on the thoughts and feelings of Hippolyta. But, he tries to stand his ground when he needs to, like when he had to give Hermia solid options that would change her life.
 * 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? **

Most of the dreamers repond to the dream experience, upon waking, by think that it was indeed a dream but also feeling like it really did happen, just a bit. However, they believed that their dreams all happened for a reason and that they needed to follow through with what their dreams were telling them. They felt like their dreams were a message for what needed or what should have happened in their life, but some of it was also what needed to happen in order to get what they wanted. The character that was permanetly changed by the dream experience was Demetrius. Demetrius change the most because he went from being completly in love with Hermia to not feeling any love for her at all. His wants changed and all of the sudden he wanted Helena back again, but before the dream he treated her very badly and never wanted to see her again. His feelings completly changed and what he wanted in life changed as well. Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? Theseus dismiss' the stories of the four young people because he thinks that the young lovers that their reasoning for love is too far beyond what he can comprehend. He also seems to think that their choices are slightly warped and confusing, and what they dreamed was a because they all have the same level of creativity and understanding for love. He seems to decide that the dream occured because of fate and what they all truly wanted out of life.
 * b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience? **
 * c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation? **
 * When some of the characters look back at prior relationships with disbelief, I think that Shekespeare is trying to say that love and infatuation are things that we don't really think about, when we are in them. We don't really think about the way other people view us while we are enjoying ourselves and when those relationships end, we look back and realize who we are or who we want to be. He is also trying to show how difficult it is for someone to love another person who doesn't love you back or how hard it is to be wth someone when no one wants you together and how when you look back at all of the complications that you've had with love, you realize that they may have happened for a reason. **

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? Rather than the other entertainment choices, Theseus chooses to see the play about Pyramus and Thisbe because he simply doesn't like the sound of the other entertainments offered. He also says that he would like to see the play because it is sevrel completly different things wrapped into one play. It is simple, but still serious. It is something that isn't as complicated as everything else and will bring a joyous mood to the audience, which is what he would like on this wedding day, not something gloomy or sad.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate tries to keep Theseus from seeing the play because he thinks the other entertainers are more professional and will please Theseus more than these actors. He says that the play has only a few lines, but is far too long, also, he says that it's a tedious play. He tells him that it isn't put together properly and that the actors barely know what they're doing. He also says he was crying because it was so bad, when he saw the rehearsal.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? When Theseus says "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it" he means that nothing can be wrong with the play, when the play is simple yet the actors show that they still care about the play. It means that even the most simple things can be beautiful if you look at the effort that was put into it.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? When the Prologue tells the whole story that gives away the play, it ensures that no one will be too surprised or scared by what happends in the play. Also, they will kind of get a sneak peak of what the play will be about. The purpose was mostly to forwarn the ladies so that they wouldn't be too frightened.

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? Shakespeare uses comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching by making the audience talk about what is happening and making fun of it. They add witty remarks about the play to make it funny and to portray it as a joke, they also make comments throughout the play about how it is being acted out and what is happening. But, Shakespeare makes them see it as a comedy and not a drama. 62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? Hippolyta's reaction to the play is that it is the silliest play that she has seen, it's funny but not that great. She thinks that it isn't that well rehearsed yet, at one point, she pities one actor because of how the audience is treating him nd how his part must be played. She questions some things about the play, but not too many. 63. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous? Thisbe's final speech is humorous because the character is being played by a man, and he has to use a woman's voice. It;s funny because he has to try and stay serious, meanwhile, the audience is breaking up with laughter. Also, she is supposed to moan, and the audience comments about how the moon and the lion are the only ones left alive. They are commenting on all of the wrongs in the play and this makes this part all the more funny.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Oberon tells the fairies to sing and dance and bless the married couples with Titania and himself. He wants them to be with them and tells them to come with him and Titania.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? The purpose of Puck's final speech is to apologize for anything in the story that has offended anyone. It concludes the play in a nice way, as well. He does this to wrap everything up and make sure everyone is left satisfied.

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- "... with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast." "His dagger drew, and died."  breaking the play’s illusion of reality- "No, intruth, sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisbe's cue. She is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall." "Allthat I have to say is, to tell you, that the lantern is the moon, I the man in the moon..."

 using the wrong word or name- "This is old Ninny's tomb." "And, like Limander, am I trusty still."  repeating a word excessively- " Thus I die, thus, thus, thus." "Now, die, die, die, die, die." "And thou O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall, that stand'st between her father's ground and mine! Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall..."  ridiculous metaphor- "The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor..." "Oh wall, full often hast thou heard my moans..."

=== a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers? === Observing another audience helps me to understand the connection between the audience and the performers because you get to see how other people would react to something going on in a play. Not only do you get to react to that play, but you get to see the reactions of others. It is especially helpful because the opinions from back then and now may have changed, so you get to see the reactions of the characters who from back then. Also, you get to see your own 'performers' watching a performance, so you can see the way they would view a play, while seeing the same play. My view on the connections between all of these characters and myself was broadened.

=== 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? === An example of a T.V. show could be The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. In the show there's one character who isn't as smart as the other, and one always wins or gets everything, meanwhile the other is left wondering why they don't get as much as the other. The smarter character usually seems to get what they want out of the innocent character, however, sometimes the innocent character gets what they want as well. Another show could be Phineas and Ferb. In this show there's a 'bad guy' and a 'good guy' . Again, one is smarter and generally gets what he wants where the less smart one gets pretty close but never fully gets what he wants. There are so many shows that have this type of set-up, almost all of them do. However, shows like to also add their own traits to it, in order to make the show different, but they still got their ideas from the same writer: Shakespeare.

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? The play Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration because it is about lovers who can never be together and once they are, they die for each other. The lovers are not united at all and a wedding is about lovers coming together instead of being pulled apart. It's almost the opposite of a wedding which is why it is odd to want to watch that for your wedding. Yes, the play can be appropriate, in a sense because the lovers are willing to do anything just to see eachother and if they they even think the other is dead, then they must die as well. It shows the strong connection between the lovers and how they treat each other as equals and would do anything to see them, but can't stand to live without them. It can be a message for the lovers about the strength of love. The play-within-a-play can be seen as an ironic commentary about the two pairs of lovers have gone through earlier because, although the situation is different, the message is the same. It resembles what happened because the wall represents what was keeping the lovers apart in the play, in real life the lovers were kept apart because of Egeus and Demetrius' feelings (which would represent the wall). In the play, to solve the conflict, when lone lover dies the other did as well. In real life, after one couple got sorted out, the other one did, as well. In the end, both plays contained the message about how difficult love can be.

Bottom's ballad ( Podcast 2): media type="file" key="Bottom's Ballad yay.mp3" width="240" height="20" By: Dhanisa, Hana and Rayanne!

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