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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.

Act IV, Scene 1:

1. Describe the tone of  Titania's speech which opens the scene.
2. Why does Titania feel this way? (review)
3. In what ways does Bottom's speech (ll. 24-27) illustrate dramatic irony?
4. In lines 20-40, a contrast/conflict is created between Bottom's "ass world" and the fairy world.  List the specific references which support this idea (hint:   food).
5. Explain the metaphor in lines 41-46.
6. Explain Oberon's pun on "dotage", line 48.
7. Underline the references in Oberon's speech (ll. 50-71) to the idea of "entwining" (hint:  think of braided and straight hair).  Summarize his feeling about Titania and about "the path of love."
8. Read Hippolyta's speech, ll.116-122.  If you were Hippolyta, how would you compare this experience to the days you remember?  Put this in your own words.
9. What is Theseus's explanation for the lovers' presence in the wood? (ll. 137-142)
10. How does Demetrius explain his "dream" and his lack of interest in marrying Hermia?  (ll. 167-183)
11. List the "double" visions shown in the night.   Look for characters who look or act like the "double" of themselves.  Include in your answer specific answers to:

            Bottom:

            Titania:

            Hermia:

            Lysander:

            Demetrius:

            Helena:

    12. What do you make of Bottom's assessment of his dream?

Scene 2:

    What is the irony in Quince's lines, 11-12?

Act V, Scene 1:

1. To what does "it" refer in lines 20 and 21?
2. Do your best to summarize in 4 sentences what Theseus says in lines 2-23.
3. Why does Theseus want to "wear away three hours"?
4. What interests Theseus in the play of the Mechanicals?  (ll. 60-64 and following lines)
5. The play the Mechanicals present is humorous.  What do you find funny? In your answer, refer to specific lines.
6. What do you make of the silence of Hermia and Helena in this scene?

 

Least Tern

Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain