| What does Theseus say about the lovers’ story of the night before? What is their story? But Hippolyta points out what to Theseus about their stories? | The four lovers’ stories are so strange it has to be made up. Lovers are like madmen–they are crazy. That their story is strange but must be true. |
| As Theseus reads through the list of entertainments, how is the play described? | Merry and tragical, tedious and brief |
| Why does Theseus decide to watch the play of the mechanicals? How did Philostrate describe it? | The actors are the mechanicals. He described it as ten words too long, the acting is terrible, and the suicide scene was so funny he cried. |
| What does Theseus tell Hippolyta about watching a bad play that is poorly performed? | If the play was made by simple people who tried hard, then it can’t be that bad. |
| Quince’s first prologue. List the mistakes he makes. | – tells the audience that they intend to offend them but he is supposed to ask for forgiveness- play is not to delight the audience- actors are only there out of spite- showing their lack of talent will get them killed |
| How does Theseus, Lysander, and Hippolyta each describe Quince’s prologue? | Theseus –> his timing is off, no punctuationLysander –> never enough to speak but to speak properly “He hath rid his prologue like a rough colt”Hippolyta –> prologue is out of control “like a child on a recorder” |
| Quince’s second prologue. Is it better than the first? List the mistakes he makes in this one. | It is better than the first prologue.- while prologue is being said, the actors pantomime the play |
| What does Theseus and Demetrius say about the lion speaking? | Theseus wonders if the lion can speak. Demetrius says that if the idiotic actors can speak, so can a lion. |
| Who is Wall? How does Demetrius describe him? | Snout is Wall. Demetrius says cement and stone speaks better than him. |
| How many times does Bottom say “night?” “Wall?” | He says “night” five times. He says “wall” seven times. |
| How do they mess up the names of Leander and Helen? | Leander is Limander. Helen is Hero. |
| Where are Pyramus and Thisbe going to meet? | Ninus’ grave. |
| How does Hippolyta describe the play so far? What does Theseus recommend they do to make it better? | It is the silliest thing she has ever seen. To use their imagination. |
| What does Lion explain first? | That he is only Snug. |
| How did Moon mess up his part? | His part is to carry the lantern to be the moon but Theseus says he should be inside the lantern. |
| How does Hippolyta try to make the moon feel better? | She says the moon shines well. |
| How do Theseus and Hippolyta describe Bottom’s sad speech? | If you imagined someone you loved died while watching this scene, you’d cry too |
| Bottom says the lion did what to Thisbe? | He meant “devoured” but said “deflowered.” |
| How do Pyramus and Thisbe die? | Pyramus stabs himself, Thisbe enters and sees Pyramus, and stabs herself. |
| Dance or epilogue? Which does Theseus choose and why? | Dance because the play doesn’t need an excuse since all the characters are dead. The play was awful. |
| How long will the celebration last? | Two weeks |
| Why is Puck there at the end? Oberon? Titania? Why do they all come in and what do they do? | Midnight is when the spirits arise. Puck is there to clean up. Oberon and Titania is there so they and the fairies can dance and sing. Oberon will bless the three married couples marriage and children. |
| What does Puck say in his final speech? | If the spirits offended the audience, it was all a dream. |
English A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 5
July 3, 2019