MSND+Act+5

Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? He doesn't believe them, and assumes they were dreaming.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? Because he thinks that if enough effort is put into a project, it can become very good, and is willing to give this play a chance.

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's seen the play, and in his opinion, it's completely ridiculous.

5**9. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?** when Theseus says this, he means to say that if enough effort is put into something, it can't go wrong.

By giving away the whole story, the actors are ensuring that no one is frightened or offended by the play.
 * 60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?**

Shakespeare uses comments from the audience to give the readers an idea of how ridiculous the play is.
 * 61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?**

Hippolyta thinks this production of the play is ridiculously performed.
 * 62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?**

She's trying too hard to make the sentences rhyme, therefore her speech sounds ridiculous.
 * 63. In what way is Thisb**E<-- **’s final speech humorous?**

He tells the fairies to watch the bedchambers of the sleeping lovers.
 * 64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?**

The purpose of Puck's final speech is too apologize for all of the bad things he has caused. He tells the audience that if they were offended by the story, they can just assume it's a dream**.**
 * 65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?**


 * 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** pg. 86: "He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast"

**breaking the play’s illusion of reality** The actor playing the wall reveals to the audience that he is an actor playing a wall. "IN this same interlude it doth befall that I, one Snout by name, present a wall; and such a wall, as I would have you think..."

 **using the wrong word or name** Pg. 89 Pyramus: "Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me straightway" Pyramus should of said "Wilt thou at Ninus tomb meet me straightway"

 **repeating a word excessively** Pg. 92: "Now die, die, die, die, die" Pyramus repeats "die" over and over, even when he is supposed to be dead.

 **ridiculous metaphor** "this is the true beginning of our end"

===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? === During the play within the play, the readers are able to read about what the audience's opinions on the play. This helps the readers understand what audiences were like in Shakespearean times.

===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? === Some examples are Micky Mouse and Goofy, Big Bang Theory, Simpsons, Family Guy, and Seinfeld.

===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 might be unsuitable for a wedding, because it is the tragic story of two lovers who die because of a miscommunication. It might be an appropriate story for a wedding because it tells a love story, and shows how some lovers would rather die than live without their lover.

 Completion 10/10 Effort 8/10 Content8/10

total: 26/30