Midsummer+Night's+Dream


 * “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

 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 tells Theseus not to worry, because the four days will pass like a dream, and they will be married before they know it. 2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? Egeus brings his daughter to Theseus, because he hopes that Theseus will be able to force Egeus's daughter to marry Demetrius. 3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? According to Egeus and Theseus, the proper role for women was to marry a wealthy and respected man, despite the fact that they might not love each other. 4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? It proves to the adults that Demetrius and Hermia are not in love. This complicates things, because Hermia's father realizes that neither of them will be happy. 5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? Lysander and Hermia plan to run away from Athens that night to get married. They decide to do this, because if they leave the city, then the city's laws will not effect them. Hermia tells Helena because Helena complains that Demetrius loves Hermia, and Helena loves Demetrius, and Hermia thinks once she is gone, Demetrius will begin to love Helena back. 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? Because she thinks that is she tells Demetrius about Hermia's plan, Demetrius will be so grateful, that he will begin to love Helena. 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 wants to marry her lover, Lysander, but her father and her father's friend want her to marry Demetrius. Hermia's father gives her three options: she can marry Demetrius, she can join a nunnery for the rest of her life, or she can be killed by Egeus. Act I, Scene 2 8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Because he thinks he is egotistic, and thinks he could do the best job for every role.

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

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

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