A+Midsummer+Night's+Dream

media type="file" key="A Midsummer Night's Dream.mp3" width="240" height="20"-A Midsummer Night's Dream, Night Images Podcast by: Emily & David
 * [[image:titania-L.jpg]]

“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 believes that the four days will pass quickly and that the wait is a good thing, while Theseus is impatient and feels that four days is an incredibly long wait that lingers his desires.

 2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? Egeus brought his daughter, Hermia, and her two suitors to Theseus because Hermia refused to marry Demetrius, the suitor of his choice. She wished to marry Lysander, her lover, which her father was completely against. Egeus wanted Theseus to give him consent to "dispose of" his daughter either by marrying her off to Demetrius, or by killing her. He expected Theseus to give consent as this right was part of the Athenian law. I believe that Theseus giving Hermia a third option outside of marrying Demetrius or death was something that Egeus did not expect.

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? The proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society, according to Egeus and Theseus, is that daughters are obligated to be completely obedient to their fathers and women must be subservient and obedient to their husbands. Theseus's ruling concerning Hermia is that she must marry Demetrius, die or become a nun.

 4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander's comment about Demetrius's previous love affair with Helena complicates things because it portrays Demetrius as untrustworthy and supports Lysander's argument that he would be the better husband.

 5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? Lysander and Hermia plan to meet eachother in the woods the next night and elope. They plan to flee to the house of Lysander's aunt who lives seven leagues from Athens, where the Athenian law cannot touch them and they can get married. They tell Helena because they trust her as a friend and they believe that it might give her confidence and hope in her quest to win Demetrius's heart as Hermia will be out of the way.

 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? Helena decides to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan because she thinks that Demetrius will be so grateful that he will love 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 basic dilemma is that she loves Lysander and wishes to marry him, but her father, Egeus, will not allow it and wants her to marry Demetrius. The choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father are that she must marry Demetrius, face death, or become a nun. Lysander suggests that they meet in the forest the next night and flee from Athens to his aunt's house which is seven leagues away.

 Act I, Scene 2  8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Nick Bottom wants to play all the parts because he is boastful of his acting skills and seems to be quite full of himself. I believe the reason he is like this may be due to the fact that he is compensating for a lack of confidence and self-esteem.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This scene is funny because his name is Bottom and he's being an "ass." It is also funny and perhaps ironic because, in his attempt to appear better than the other actors he only reveals his foolishness and insecurity. Shakespeare included this scene because he is developing Bottom's character and giving insight into his personality in order to make him a round character.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The actors plan to meet in the forest the following night. Hermia and Lysander are meeting there at the same time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? <span style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I would describe Bottom's acting ability as weak and comedic. Bottom's own opinion of his acting ability is that he is an amazing actor who far surpasses the talent of the others and knows far more about the plays.

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? From Puck and the first fairy, the reader learns that the current relationship between Oberon and Titania is rather rocky and that the two always argue when they meet.

11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Hippolyta is the previous love interest of Oberon and Titania has had a past relationship with Theseus. They have come to Athens to witness the wedding of Hippolyta and Theseus and to give their bed joy and prosperity.

12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? Their quarrel causes horrible fogs and rains, leading to massive floods which destroy all in their path. It throws the seasons completely off from their natural course. This upheaval of nature and the seasons causes crops to fail and leaves the humans starving. Plague and disease also rage through the land killing many.

13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? Titania won't give up the changeling to Oberon because he is the son of a dear friend that she had spent much time with. This friend died leaving the boy an orphan, so Titania feels that she owes it to her companion to take him and raise him as her own.

14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Oberon sends Puck to find a small Western flower that had been hit by Cupid's arrow. This flower bears the power to make anyone fall in love with the next living creature they see.

15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? Oberon plans to squeeze the juice of the flower into Titania's eyes so that when she wakes she will fall in love with some vile creature. He plans to amuse himself by watching her dote upon this creature. When Oberon believes that Titania has "learned her lesson" he will remove the enchantment that the flower has put on her.

16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? Helena reacts to Demetrius's verbal abuse by fighting back with words, turning every insult he throws at her into an expression of her undying love to him.

17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? Helena's responded to his threats of physical abuse by saying that "his virtue is her privilege" which means that she trusts him not to harm her in any way. Although he rejects her love and flees from her she continues to pursue him through the forest.

18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? Helena's behaviour is inappropriate for Athenian women because she is going after the man she loves. In Athenian society, a man is meant to choose the woman and woo her. Women do not have the option of finding their own love and they are meant to be obedient and subservient to men.

19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Oberon tells Puck to find Demetrius and Helena and to squeeze the juice of the flower into Demetrius's eyes. He hopes that the next thing Demetrius sees will be Helena and that he will instantly fall in love with her and they will be happy together. Oberon informs Puck that he will know the man he seeks by the Athenian garments he is wearing.

Act II, Scene 2

20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing? Oberon wants Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing because he wants to punish her for withholding the changeling boy from him. He is jealous of the attention the boy gets and he believes that Titania should focus her affections on him.

21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? Hermia insists that Lysander sleep a little ways from her because she believes that they should wait till they are married to share the the same bed because it is more dignified.

22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? Puck anoints Lysander's eyes because he has mistaken him for Demetrius as he was unaware that there were two pairs in the forest that night.

23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? Helena reacts to Lysander's sudden love for her by believing that he is cruelly mocking her, complaining of his unkindness and running away from him.

24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Hermia's dream of a serpent eating her heart and Lysander watching with a smile on his face reflects reality because Lysander has been enchanted and loves no longer Hermia, but Helena. In this sense Hermia is very injured by being left by her lover and her heart has been "eaten away." ||

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? The actors are going to keep from scaring the ladies by writing prologues stating that they do no harm with their swords, Pyramus is really Bottom the weaver and the lion is not a real lion, but Snug the joiner.

26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? The actors are going to let in moonlight through a window, for the moon is shining on the night of their play and if it happens that the moon does not shine a man with a bush of thorns and a lantern will represent it. The wall shall also be represented by a man, who will be covered in some loam or roughcast and will make a hole with his fingers through which the lovers speak.

27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? The rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears because his head has been transformed into that of a donkey by Puck, who had come across the group of actors. The others know that there is magic at work, so they run in fear.

28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? Puck plans to change his form while following the other actors and scare them even further.

29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies Bottom is initially surprised and slightly confused by Titania's professed love for him, but goes along with it and finds that he enjoys being doted on by the fairies. He goes with Titania and her fairy attendants to her bower.

30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? This is such an apt statement at this point in the play because it ties back to everything that has happened to the lovers thus far. The whole story seems to be based on the fact that there is no rhyme or reason to love and that love cannot be forced.

Act III, Scene 2 31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Hermia very forcefully accuses Demetrius of murdering Lysander in his sleep for she can see no other reason for his absence. She does not truly believe him when he says that he had not harmed Lysander and demands that he disclose Lysander's location.

32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? Puck and Oberon are going to correct Puck's earlier mistake by anointing Demetrius's eyes with the juice of the flower in order to make him fall in love with Helena. Then, they plan to anoint Lysander's eyes with another herb to clear his sight and make him fall in love with Hermia once more.

33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Helena is upset when Demetrius says he loves her because she believes that he has joined Lysander in mocking her. She has wanted Demetrius to love her all along, but since both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly pledge their love to her, she believes that they are playing a cruel joke.

34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? Helena accuses Hermia of telling Lysander and Demetrius to pledge their love to her as to mock and make fun of her. She believes that Hermia and the two men are joined in this cruel game.

35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? Hermia and Helena had been very close friends in the past. They had spent much of their time together when they were younger and were as close as sisters.

36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? Lysander treats Hermia very badly. He is rude to her, saying that he hates her, insulting her and telling her that he loves Helena. Hermia cannot believe what he says because it was not moments ago that Lysander and her were madly in love with eachother. The entire reason that they were in the woods is that they were fleeing from Athens in order to escape the law and get married.

37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia accuses Helena of stealing Lysander's heart from him. She believes that Helena must have used some charm or trickery to make Lysander and Demetrius love her.

38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? Helena is afraid of Hermia because Hermia is very angry and threatens her. Helena tells Lysander and Demetrius that Hermia is small but vicious and that they must protect her.

39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? Lysander and Demetrius are going off to fight eachother for Helena's love.

40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? Oberon tells Puck to overcast the night, lead the two men away from eachother and tire them out so they will sleep. Then, Oberon tells puck to anoint Lysander's eyes with another herb that will clear his sight and make him fall in love with Hermia once more.

41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Oberon is going to demand the Indian boy from Titania and once he acquires the boy, he will lift the charm of the flower from her eyes.

42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Oberon doesn't fear the coming of the day because he believes that he too powerful to be troubled by this and that it is inconsequential. He has already achieved what he wanted with Titania and the day cannot hinder his plans.

43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? Puck's trickery works very well. He makes Lysander and Demetrius follow him all through the forest, each one believing he is their opponent. Soon all the lovers are completely exhausted and fall fast asleep. Puck anoints Lysander's eyes and leaves them to wake with the coming day. ====**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 instantly falls in love with Bottom.**
 * -Oberon and Puck learn of Puck's mistake and plan to correct it by anointing Demetrius's eyes.**
 * -Demetrius wakes and falls in love with Helena, leading Helena to believe that both the men are mocking her.**
 * -Hermia finds the group and Helena accuses her of being part of the cruel mockery.**
 * -Hermia learns that Lysander now loves Helena and she accuses Helena of stealing Lysander's heart.**
 * -Lysander and Demetrius go to fight eachother for Helena's love.**
 * -Puck leads the two men astray, tires them out and anoint's Lysander's eyes with a herb to lift the charm of the flower.**
 * -Puck leaves all the lovers sleeping.**

Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom has adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies by acting more pretentious and using words that he believes are "more sophisticated." He has started to believe that he is special.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Oberon feels pity for Titania when he sees her infatuation with Bottom. Perhaps, he feels some small fraction of guilt for what he has done.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? Oberon will probably avoid the question for as long as he can. If he has to answer the question, Oberon will most likely give Titania a slightly skewed version of the truth. If he told her the straight truth with all the details, Titania might be fairly mad at him.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others are out in the woods so early in the morning because they are out with a hunting party.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? Theseus's first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods is that they woke up early to observe the right of May and came to join them and the hunting party.

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? Demetrius explains how Helena told him of Hermia and Lysander's plan and how he followed them into the woods, Helena trailing him. He compares his love for Hermia to an illness because it came over him for a time, making him loathe Helena, then passed, and his heart was returned to Helena once more.

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? Theseus's decision concerning the four young people is that he will overrule Egeus' will and have the two couples married along with he and Hippolyta.

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? The young people cannot be sure whether they are awake or dreaming because their memories of the past night were so strange and vague it was as if it were all a dream.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? Bottom is going to get Peter Quince to write him a ballad of his dream called "Bottom's Dream." He plans to sing it at the end of the play before the Duke.

Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? The other artisans now have better opinions of Bottom since they think he is lost. They compliment him, praising his acting, his wit and calling him a model of perfection for a sweet voice.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? The artisans learned that two more couples had been married in the temple alongside Theseus and Hippolyta. They most regret losing the opportunity to make a fortune as they would have been granted lifetime pensions in recognition for their service.

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? The artisans must hurry to the Duke's palace because the Duke as finished dining and their play might be selected for the entertainment. They must get their quickly or lose the opportunity to perform.

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 believe that Bottom's character acts a bit overconfident and full of himself, but only behaves that way to compensate for his own insecurity. He is of a lower status and doesn't seem to have accomplished very much in his life. Bottom is the opposite of Theseus because he is of a lower to middle class, while Theseus is well off and of the upper class. Another reason he is the opposite of Theseus is that he has accomplished virtually nothing in his life and Theseus is very accomplished, having won many battles and having control of the city of Athens. One final reason that Bottom and Theseus are opposites is that Bottom is not content with the life he currently has, while Theseus is very content and in the end of the play, happily married.

====b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?==== Most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking by having little or no memory of what had really transpired the night before. They found it quite hard to tell whether they were truly awake or still asleep, dreaming. The character changed permanently by the dream experience is Demetrius, as his love has been transferred from Hermia back to Helena.

====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 and infatuation are not the same thing and that they should not be confused. These two things are often mixed up and it becomes harder and harder to distinguish what love really is. I think that Shakespeare may not have believed in true love at all.

==Act 4 Podcast: Bottom decides to commission Peter Quince to write a ballad called “Bottom’s Dream.” On your own or with a partner, imagine that you have been asked to write the lyrics and compose the musical accompaniment. Remember that at the beginning of act 4, Bottom told the fairies that he likes to listen to the “tongs and bones” (act 4, scene 1, line 30). Tongs were pieces of metal struck against each other and bones were actual bones. These instruments were used in comical or in less sophisticated musical performances. Write the poetry for the ballad ( a minimum of 2 stanzas, 4 lines each), then put it to music!==

**__Bottom's Dream__** media type="file" key="Bottom's Dream.mp3" align="center" width="240" height="20"

By: Emily and David

Our company entered the woods by night,

To most secretly rehearse our play.

None could tell that not all was right,

On the eve before the Duke's nuptial day.

While awaiting my cue backstage,

Such wondrous strange magic took place.

My cue arrived after what seemed an age.

I re-entered with horrid transformed face.

My fellow masters fled in fear.

I believed they wished to frighten me.

An ass' head had I, with long ears,

But this, I did not yet know, you see.

When all had fled, I was left alone.

I sang boldly to quell my fear.

Never would I have known,

The fairy queen was sleeping near.

Hearing my song, she did awake.

Upon seeing me, her love she professed.

I thought that love, reason did forsake,

But who am I to protest.

Her fairy attendants, she set to serve me.

Moth, Mustardseed, and Cobweb they were so named.

Every fancy fulfilled, I was as content as could be.

In the arms of the fairy queen, my need to sleep could not be tamed.

When I awoke, I was alone again and the night was but a dream.

No longer had I an ass' head, of which I had before.

A fantastic dream had quickly passed, so it would seem.

Never shall I forget this vision in the hopes that it returns once more.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?Theseus dismisses the stories of the four young people because he sees them as little more than mad and idle fantasies. He believes that the minds of lovers often invent such strange and unbelievable stories and that the tales he has just heard are no more than the invention of the young peoples' overactive and slightly confused minds.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Act V

<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?Theseus chooses the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments because he had either witnessed the others performed, or they were not suitable for a wedding ceremony. I also believe that Philostrate's description of the play, meant to deter the Duke, may have made him all the more curious.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">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 believes that it is a terrible rendition that's poorly acted and the Duke and his guests would never enjoy it. He tells the Duke that it is played by hard-handed men that work in Athens, that they have no experience with memorizing lines or performing and that when he witnessed the play rehearsed it was utterly ridiculous.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">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 when it is simple and unadorned, good effort has been put into it and it is presented in good will. In short, less is more.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?By having the Prologue tell the whole story the actors insure that the audience will not be surprised or startled by anything and that the audience knows exactly what is happening or supposed to be happening in the play. This way, even if the play is hard to follow, the people watching will know what point it's at based on the summary in the prologue.

<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?Shakespeare uses the comments from the audience to enhance the humor of the play by making them spoof the entire thing. Most of the comments made by Theseus and his guests were sarcastic and joking, constantly making fun of what was happening on stage.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?Hippolyta initially thought the play to be very silly and ridiculous but, by the end she begins to feel and sympathize some for the characters of Pyramus and Thisbe.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous?Thisbe's final speech is humorous because Shakespeare is using it to make fun of other tragedies. He has made the speech far more ridiculous and over the top than it needed to be.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?Oberon tells the fairies to stray all through the house of Theseus and to bless the lovers in order to make their love forever true and to insure their children shall not be marred at birth.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?Puck's final speech is used as an epilogue. Its purpose is to offer apologies and ask the audience's forgiveness for any shortcomings of the performance.

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Extending the thought process:

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">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="color: #1a1a18; display: block; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**excessive alliteration-** "Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade, he bravely broached his boiling bloody breast." <span style="color: #1a1a18; display: block; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**breaking the play’s illusion of reality-**Theseus: "The wall, methinks, being sensible, should curse again." Pyramus/Bottom (in response): "No, in truth, sir, he should not. 'Deceiving me' is Thisbe's cue. She is to enter now, and I am to spy her through the wall. You shall see, it will fall pat as I told you. Yonder she comes." <span style="color: #1a1a18; display: block; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**using the wrong word or name-** "Wilt thou at __Ninny's__ tomb meet me straightway?" "Since vile lion hath here __deflowered__ my dear?" <span style="color: #1a1a18; display: block; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**repeating a word excessively-**"O grim-looked night! O night with hue so black! O night, which ever art when day is not! O night, O night! Alack, alack, alack! 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, show me thy chink to blink through with mine eyne." <span style="color: #1a1a18; display: block; font-family: Times,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">**ridiculous metaphor-** "Sweet moon, I thank thee, for thy sunny beams."

<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? ** <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The observing of another audience helps you understand the relationship between audience and performers because it gives you a more omniscient view of the play as you see both the audience within the play and the actors. This makes you more engaged in the play and makes you think more critically about what you are seeing.

=== 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: 1.1em;">Many sitcoms such as The Big Bang Theory or Fraser often create comic effects in this manner. I cannot think of any others as I do not watch television all that often and have only seen each of these shows once.

=== 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? === <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration because it is a tragedy, in which both lovers end up dead. Perhaps a play shown at a wedding ceremony should be more joyful than tragic. The play could be deemed appropriate because it shows intense and passionate love between two people. In this sense it is appropriate for the wedding. The play within a play is an ironic comedy on what the two pairs of young lovers have gone through because the tragedy within it, though more severe, reflects the discord and chaos that the lovers experienced previously. As stated in the play "The course of true love never did run smooth." <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Completion 25/25 <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Effort 25/25 <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Content 22/25 <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Total 73/75 <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Podcast 1 - 19/20 <span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Podcast 2 - 20/20 || ||   || Help · About · Blog · [|Pricing] · Privacy · Terms · [|**Support**] · [|**Upgrade**] Contributions to http://midsummerdream.wikispaces.com/ are licensed under a [|Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License]. Portions not contributed by visitors are Copyright 2011 Tangient LLC.
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