MSND+ACT+4

media type="file" key="MSND Act 4.mp3" width="240" height="20" Bottom's Dream By Erika and Leanna

One night some artisans met To practice a play. Then they started to fret, When Bottom went away.

The one with plenty of sass, Disappeared into the dark and, Came out with the head of an ass, Became the ugliest thing in the land.

Then they ran away with all their might, When the weaver came into sight. Trying to make me a fool? Oh spite! They are trying to give me a fright!

The fairy queen fell in love with thee. Unfortunately, her love was blind. Her vision clouded, she could not see. For pansy juice had swayed her mind.

Her fairy train treated him well. She madly loved him, doth, He was treated like a king, it was swell, By Cobweb, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed and Moth.

When Bottom awoke, He was in a field of long grass, Under a tall oak, He no longer had the head of an ass. Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? Bottom is quite at home with the attention of the fairies and Titania.

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Oberon thinks it's quite humorous that Titania fell in love with Bottom.

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? Oberon does not have to explain; Tatania wakes up and thinks it was all a dream, but then sees Bottom next to her.

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? They are in the woods hunting to celebrate the May morning before the wedding.

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? Theseus thinks that they woke up early for the May morning.

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? Demetrius explains that he was not seeing clearly when he loved Hermia, now that he can see the truth, he loves Helena.

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? Theseus decides they shall all get married at the wedding.

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? Young people can't be sure because they cannot decide for themselves.

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? Bottom decides he will get Quince to write him a ballad about his odd dream, and entertain the Duke with this ballad.

Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? The artisans are now worried for Bottom, fearing he is lost.

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? The artisans regret losing their pay if they are not able to perform the play.

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? Bottom suddenly arrives at the last minute, so they must hurry to get to the Duke's palace in time.

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?==== ====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 by just dismiss the dream, thinking nothing of it in reality. Bottom is changed by this dream, he decides to get Peter Quince to write a ballad about his dream, so he may tell his story, but not seem insane.

====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 "...reason and love keep little company nowadays." The characters cannot believe their foolish behavior and reasoning.