Act+IV+Questions

Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?

45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?

46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?

47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?

48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?

49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?

50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?

51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?

52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?

Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?

54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?

55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?

==Act 4 Podcast: Bottom decides to commission Peter Quince to write a ballad called “Bottom’s Dream.” On your own or with a partner, imagine that you have been asked to write the lyrics and compose the musical accompaniment. Remember that at the beginning of act 4, Bottom told the fairies that he likes to listen to the “tongs and bones” (act 4, scene 1, line 30). Tongs were pieces of metal struck against each other and bones were actual bones. These instruments were used in comical or in less sophisticated musical performances. Write the poetry for the ballad ( a minimum of 2 stanzas, 4 lines each), then put it to music!==


 * Ballad Form and example.**