Act+I+Questions

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Act I, Scene 1 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?

2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?

3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?

4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?

5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?

6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans?

7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest?

Act I, Scene 2 8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?

9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?

10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?

11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability?

Podcast Assignment (May be done with a partner)
==Act 1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes place in the daytime, but it contains many images of the moon that foreshadow the night to come. Using GarageBand record yourself reading the lines in Act 1 that illustrate the imagery of night/moon (find and record at least 8). Create the mood and atmosphere of act 1 by adding a musical score to the background. Your podcast should start with:==