A+mid+summer++night's+dream

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” media type="file" key="MSND Act 1.mp3"

Act I, Scene 1 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? Theseus is very impatient and thinks time is passing too slowly. Hippolyta thinks time will go quickly and the wedding will be there before you know it.

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? Egeus has brought Hermia and her two suitors to Theseus because he wants permission to have the right to kill Hermia if she does not marry Demetrius. Theseus gives Hermia the options of death, marry Demetrius, or go to a nunnery. Egeus expects permission to kill his daughter if she does not 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, women and daughters are property of husbands and fathers, and must do their bidding. Theseus decides that if Hermia does not obey her father she must go to a nunnery or be killed.

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? Lysander comments that Demetrius is fickle and fell out of love with Helena. This shows that Demetrius is not trustworthy and may not be the best choice for Hermia to marry.

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 and get married in secret. They tell Helena because she loves Demetrius very much and is Hermia's best friend.

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 decides to tell Demetrius because she thinks he will be so grateful 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 is being forced to marry Demetrius, not her lover Lysander. Her choices are: join a nunnery death marry Demetrius Lysander also suggests running away and secretly getting married.

Act I, Scene 2 8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Nick Bottom thinks he is an amazing actor, so he wants to play all the parts to get all the glory.

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because Nick Bottom wants to play all the parts, and they are trying to them evenly. Shakespeare included this scene because he's foreshadowing something will happen, Lysander and Hermia will be meeting at the same spot at the same time as the actors.

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? The actors are meeting outside of town to not be seen rehearsing by the people of the town. At the same time, Hermia and Lysander are going to meet at the same spot to run away.

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? I don't know how well he acts, but he thinks very highly of his ability. Bottom thinks his own acting is sensational, and he wants to play all the parts.