Why Does Theseus Choose The Workman's Play The Others?
Directions: Answer each question in complete sentences. You must provide evidence from the text to support your answer. You may use the modern text to aid with your understanding but your quoted evidence must be Shakespeare’s original language (left side of the text). Provide the line numbers. For example, “Take comfort. He no more shall see my face. Lysander and myself will fly this place” (202-203).
Act IV, scene i
1. What news does Oberon tell Puck?
Answer: Oberon tells Puck that he has convinced Titania to give up the Indian boy, therefore he is now ready to take the love juice off Tatinia. He also tells Puck to take the ass head off Bottom.
Evidence from the text:
“Welcome, good Robin. Seest thou this sweet sight?
Her dotage now I do begin to pity.
For, meeting her of late …show more content…
behind the wood,
Seeking sweet favors from this hateful fool,
I did upbraid her and fall out with her.
For she his hairy temples then had rounded
With a coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers,
And that same dew, which sometime on the buds
Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls,
Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes
Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her
And she in mild terms begged my patience,
I then did ask of her her changeling child,
Which straight she gave me and her fairy sent
To bear him to my bower in Fairyland.
And now I have the boy, I will undo
This hateful imperfection of her eyes.
And, gentle Puck, take this transformèd scalp
From off the head of this Athenian swain,
That, he awaking when the other do,
May all to Athens back again repair
And think no more of this night’s accidents
But as the fierce vexation of a dream.
But first I will release the fairy queen.” (29-53)
2. Why is Titania in love with her husband again?
Answer: Titania is in love with Oberon again because Puck gave her the antidote to make her stop loving Bottom and go back to loving Oberon.
Evidence from the text:
“TITANIA
(waking) My Oberon, what visions have I seen!
Methought I was enamored of an ass.
OBERON
There lies your love.
TITANIA
How came these things to pass?
Oh, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now!” (59-62)
3. What is Theseus’ decision by the end of Act IV scene i?
Answer: Theseus’s decision is to make a three way wedding with Lysande and
Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, as well as himself and Hypolita.
Evidence from the text:
“Fair lovers, you are fortunately met.
Of this discourse we more will hear anon.—
Egeus, I will overbear your will.
For in the temple by and by with us
These couples shall eternally be knit.—
And, for the morning now is something worn,
Our purposed hunting shall be set aside.
Away with us to Athens. Three and three,
We’ll hold a feast in great solemnity.
Come, Hippolyta.” (164-173)
4. What do the lovers think happened in the woods?
Answer: The lovers think everything that happened in the woods was a dream.
Evidence from the text:
DEMETRIUS
“Are you sure we’re awake? It seems to me like we’re still sleeping, still dreaming. Do you remember seeing the duke here? Did he tell us to follow him?
HERMIA
Yes, he did. And my father was here too.
HELENA
And Hippolyta.
LYSANDER
And he told us to follow him to the temple.
DEMETRIUS
Well, then, we’re awake. Let’s follow him. We can tell one another our dreams along the way.” (178-185
Act IV, scene ii
1. Why can’t the workmen/actors perform the play?
Answer: They can’t put on the play because Bottom is missing and he has a crucial role that can’t be replaced by anyone.
Evidence from the text:
FLUTE
If he come not, then the play is marred. It goes not forward. Doth it?
QUINCE
It is not possible. You have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he. (2-4)
2. What do his friends say are Bottom’s best qualities?
Answer: His friends say he is good locking, hard-working, and he has a great voice.
Evidence from the text:
“FLUTE
No, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens.
QUINCE
Yea, and the best person too. And he is a very paramour for a sweet voice.” (5-9)
3. What is Snug’s news?
Answer: Snug;s news is that two more couples are being married and they could’ve made it in time.
Evidence from the text:
“Masters, the duke is coming from the temple, and there is two or three lords and ladies more married. If our sport had gone forward, we had all been made men.” (12-14)
Act V, scene i
1. Why does Theseus doubt the reality of the story the lovers tell him?
Answer: Theseus doubts the reality of the story because all the lovers have big imaginations and it is easy to come up with a story like that.
Evidence from the text:
“Yes, strange—and totally made up too. I’ll never believe any of these old legends or fairy tales. Lovers and madmen hallucinate about things that sane people just can’t understand. Lunatics, lovers, and poets all are ruled by their overactive imaginations. some people think they see devils and monsters everywhere—and they’re lunatics. Lovers are just as crazy, and think a dark-skinned gypsy is the most gorgeous woman in the world. Poets are always looking around like they’re having a fit, confusing the mundane with the otherworldly, and describing things in their writing that simply don’t exist. All these people have such strong imaginations that, when they feel happy, they assume a god or some other supernatural being is bringing that happiness to them. Or if they’re afraid of something at night, they look at the shrubbery and imagine it’s a wild bear!” (2-27)
2.
Why does Theseus choose the Workmen’s play over the others?
Answer: Theseus chooses the play because he thinks people who work hard and try should have a chance.
Evidence from the text:
“I will hear that play.
For never anything can be amiss
When simpleness and duty tender it.
Go, bring them in.—And take your places, ladies.” (75-78)
3. How does Pyramus die in the play-within-a-play?
Answer: Pyramus dies in the play-within-a-play by stabbing himself with a sword after seeing Thisbe dead.
Evidence from the text:
“Out, sword, and wound!
The pap of Pyramus—
And so I’m dying. Here I go, here I go. Okay, now I’m dead. My soul has fled to the sky. My tongue shall see no more, It’s time for the moon to go away.” (280-283)
4. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do before they sing and dance all night?
Answer: Oberon tells the fairies to light the house up with a glimmering light.
Evidence from the text:
“Through the house give glimmering light,
By the dead and drowsy fire.
Every elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier.
And this ditty, after me,
Sing and dance it trippingly.” (350-356)
5. What two things does Puck ask from the audience before Shakespeare’s play
ends?
Answer: He asks them that if they didn’t like the play, pretend it was all a dream, but if they did like it, applaud them.
Evidence from the text: ”If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended—
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearnèd luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long.
Else the Puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.” (84-97)
Act IV, scene i
1. What news does Oberon tell Puck?
Answer: Oberon tells Puck that he has convinced Titania to give up the Indian boy, therefore he is now ready to take the love juice off Tatinia. He also tells Puck to take the ass head off Bottom.
Evidence from the text:
“Welcome, good Robin. Seest thou this sweet sight?
Her dotage now I do begin to pity.
For, meeting her of late …show more content…
behind the wood,
Seeking sweet favors from this hateful fool,
I did upbraid her and fall out with her.
For she his hairy temples then had rounded
With a coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers,
And that same dew, which sometime on the buds
Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls,
Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes
Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her
And she in mild terms begged my patience,
I then did ask of her her changeling child,
Which straight she gave me and her fairy sent
To bear him to my bower in Fairyland.
And now I have the boy, I will undo
This hateful imperfection of her eyes.
And, gentle Puck, take this transformèd scalp
From off the head of this Athenian swain,
That, he awaking when the other do,
May all to Athens back again repair
And think no more of this night’s accidents
But as the fierce vexation of a dream.
But first I will release the fairy queen.” (29-53)
2. Why is Titania in love with her husband again?
Answer: Titania is in love with Oberon again because Puck gave her the antidote to make her stop loving Bottom and go back to loving Oberon.
Evidence from the text:
“TITANIA
(waking) My Oberon, what visions have I seen!
Methought I was enamored of an ass.
OBERON
There lies your love.
TITANIA
How came these things to pass?
Oh, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now!” (59-62)
3. What is Theseus’ decision by the end of Act IV scene i?
Answer: Theseus’s decision is to make a three way wedding with Lysande and
Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, as well as himself and Hypolita.
Evidence from the text:
“Fair lovers, you are fortunately met.
Of this discourse we more will hear anon.—
Egeus, I will overbear your will.
For in the temple by and by with us
These couples shall eternally be knit.—
And, for the morning now is something worn,
Our purposed hunting shall be set aside.
Away with us to Athens. Three and three,
We’ll hold a feast in great solemnity.
Come, Hippolyta.” (164-173)
4. What do the lovers think happened in the woods?
Answer: The lovers think everything that happened in the woods was a dream.
Evidence from the text:
DEMETRIUS
“Are you sure we’re awake? It seems to me like we’re still sleeping, still dreaming. Do you remember seeing the duke here? Did he tell us to follow him?
HERMIA
Yes, he did. And my father was here too.
HELENA
And Hippolyta.
LYSANDER
And he told us to follow him to the temple.
DEMETRIUS
Well, then, we’re awake. Let’s follow him. We can tell one another our dreams along the way.” (178-185
Act IV, scene ii
1. Why can’t the workmen/actors perform the play?
Answer: They can’t put on the play because Bottom is missing and he has a crucial role that can’t be replaced by anyone.
Evidence from the text:
FLUTE
If he come not, then the play is marred. It goes not forward. Doth it?
QUINCE
It is not possible. You have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he. (2-4)
2. What do his friends say are Bottom’s best qualities?
Answer: His friends say he is good locking, hard-working, and he has a great voice.
Evidence from the text:
“FLUTE
No, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens.
QUINCE
Yea, and the best person too. And he is a very paramour for a sweet voice.” (5-9)
3. What is Snug’s news?
Answer: Snug;s news is that two more couples are being married and they could’ve made it in time.
Evidence from the text:
“Masters, the duke is coming from the temple, and there is two or three lords and ladies more married. If our sport had gone forward, we had all been made men.” (12-14)
Act V, scene i
1. Why does Theseus doubt the reality of the story the lovers tell him?
Answer: Theseus doubts the reality of the story because all the lovers have big imaginations and it is easy to come up with a story like that.
Evidence from the text:
“Yes, strange—and totally made up too. I’ll never believe any of these old legends or fairy tales. Lovers and madmen hallucinate about things that sane people just can’t understand. Lunatics, lovers, and poets all are ruled by their overactive imaginations. some people think they see devils and monsters everywhere—and they’re lunatics. Lovers are just as crazy, and think a dark-skinned gypsy is the most gorgeous woman in the world. Poets are always looking around like they’re having a fit, confusing the mundane with the otherworldly, and describing things in their writing that simply don’t exist. All these people have such strong imaginations that, when they feel happy, they assume a god or some other supernatural being is bringing that happiness to them. Or if they’re afraid of something at night, they look at the shrubbery and imagine it’s a wild bear!” (2-27)
2.
Why does Theseus choose the Workmen’s play over the others?
Answer: Theseus chooses the play because he thinks people who work hard and try should have a chance.
Evidence from the text:
“I will hear that play.
For never anything can be amiss
When simpleness and duty tender it.
Go, bring them in.—And take your places, ladies.” (75-78)
3. How does Pyramus die in the play-within-a-play?
Answer: Pyramus dies in the play-within-a-play by stabbing himself with a sword after seeing Thisbe dead.
Evidence from the text:
“Out, sword, and wound!
The pap of Pyramus—
And so I’m dying. Here I go, here I go. Okay, now I’m dead. My soul has fled to the sky. My tongue shall see no more, It’s time for the moon to go away.” (280-283)
4. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do before they sing and dance all night?
Answer: Oberon tells the fairies to light the house up with a glimmering light.
Evidence from the text:
“Through the house give glimmering light,
By the dead and drowsy fire.
Every elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier.
And this ditty, after me,
Sing and dance it trippingly.” (350-356)
5. What two things does Puck ask from the audience before Shakespeare’s play
ends?
Answer: He asks them that if they didn’t like the play, pretend it was all a dream, but if they did like it, applaud them.
Evidence from the text: ”If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended—
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearnèd luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long.
Else the Puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.” (84-97)