Midsummer Night's Dream Study Guide

These questions can be used as homework or completed in class as the play is read aloud and/or viewed.
Many questions lend themselves to group discussion.

Scene 1:

1. What specific lines in the speeches of Theseus and Hippolyta indicate that they are looking forward to the wedding?  Underline in the book and give the line numbers here.

2. List the specific actions by Lysander that Egeus cites as "bewitching" (lines 27-39).

3. What can you conclude about Egeus's attitude toward his daughter's "place"?  Underline and give the line numbers of things he says to support your point.

4. Paraphrase (put in your own words) Theseus's speeches on page 9 and 11.

5. What has Hermia done for which she asks Theseus's pardon (line 60)?

6. List the points made by Lysander (lines 101-112) in defending right to marry Hermia.

7. Reread Hermia's speech, lines 152-157.  Are these honest emotions, or is she enjoying somewhat being the center of a frustrated romance?  Put this speech into your own words.

8. What do all of the images and metaphors in Hermia's vow speech (lines 171-181) have in common? 

9. If you were making a similar speech today, upon what would you swear?   Make a list poem of that swear - at least 12 lines.

10. What is the point of Helena's first speech?  State it in one sentence. (lines 184-197)

11. Explain the ways in which Love is childlike and blind.  Use Helena's speech (lines 232+) as your reference.

  We do not see the scene in which Hermia is told by her father that she has to wed Demetrius.   In your composition book or on your laptop (not a home desktop machine, please - we want this available in school), write that scene. Egeus must tell his daughter WHY he favors Demetrius.  Hermia must respond.  Each character must speak at least 3 times.  You do not have to write in rhyme or iambic.

Scene 2:

1. Underline lines and provide line numbers here to support each point about the Mechanicals:

   • Bottom misuses words (malapropisms):

   • Bottom likes to be in charge:

   • Snug is well-suited to be the lion:

2. Why must Thisbe be played by a man?

3. If Quince were one of your teachers, which teacher would he be?   Why?

4. What device does Shakespeare use to arrange for the Mechanicals and the lovers to be in the woods together tomorrow night?

We will not have the scene in which Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan.  Write this scene.   Each Helena and Demetrius must speak at least 3 times.  Try to capture Demetrius' feelings in his speech.  And how will he thank Helena, if he does so at all?  Will he think about Helena's feelings?  You may want to add another soliloquy - either Demetrius or Helena alone on stage thinking about what has happened and planning the next night.

Least Tern

Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain