A Midsummer Night's Dream
1. There are four plot levels in A Midsummer Night's Dream:
2. Is Puck the play’s interpreter?
3. Make note of each time the word “dream” is used in the play and how it is used. For example, Hippolyta in her first speech says, “Four nights will quickly dream away the time,” (I, i) in reference to time passing until her wedding with Theseus. Lysander says, “…short as any dream,” (I, i) in explaining to Hermia how quickly their hopes for a life with each other are dashed.
4. Make note of each time the word “moon” is used in the play and how it is used. For examples, Theseus mentions moon in I, i, in reference to the stages of the moon. He says the old moon lingers and is impatient for the new moon to come so he can get married. Hippolyta says the new moon will soon behold their marriage ceremony (I, i).
5. A main theme of the play is the transitoriness and inconstancy of love.
6. Notice the ways in which Shakespeare uses language (prose, blank verse and rhyme) to differentiate between characters (i.e. fairies and mortals; nobility and rustics) or to create other effects (increased solemnity or silliness; poetic effects).
7. Acts I and V take place in the "real" world of Athens (by day), Acts II, III and IV in a dream world, the woods outside the city (by night). Why does Shakespeare make use of the two settings? How can each be characterized? Do they serve any symbolic purpose? Who governs each world? What kinds of power are contrasted? Which is ultimately more powerful? (Does one have an effect on -- transform -- the other?)
8. The play begins with a forced marriage, fighting fairies, and thwarted lovers; it ends with a triple wedding and a newly reconciled pair of Fairy monarchs. In this movement from conflict to harmony, notice how marital/erotic love is used as a symbol of social harmony and concord. Note also the imagery of fertility (natural fecundity vs. blight, but also the implicit fertility of the couples who will be united in marriage.) What are Titania and Oberon fighting about at the beginning of the play? (What is the symbolic significance of the Changeling boy?)
9. The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses, stories about magical transformations. What are some of the transformations in the play? Consider both literal transformations ("Bless thee, Bottom! thou art translated!" [III.i.119-120]) and figurative ones (between day and night, discord and harmony, reality and dream, unhappiness and bliss). 6) Trace the references to dreams and dreaming in the play. What do "dreams" represent? Who presides over the dream world (the forest at night)? What is the power of dreams? Can dreams have an effect on "reality"?
10. Characterize the fairies and their magic. To what extent do they represent natural forces (i.e. the power of nature?) What else might they represent? Notice that the fairies' magic takes place at night, and that it is several times compared to (or mistaken for) dreams. To what extent is their "magic" a double of the playwright's magic, making a "dream" come to life on the stage? In this regard, you may want to consider references to dreams and dreaming, to magic, and to poetry (e.g. Theseus's conversation with Hippolyta in V.1.1-27), as well as Puck's epilogue.
11. It is thought that A Midsummer Night's Dream was first written to be performed at a court wedding. Pyramus and Thisbe is a "play within a play" put on by the "Rude Mechanicals" to celebrate a royal wedding. In Act V, then, we are watching an audience watch a play that is like the play we are watching as an audience. What does this parallelism suggest? What function does the "play within a play" serve? (What is its dramatic significance and thematic relevance to the work as a whole?) Are there parallels between the stories of Pyramus and Thisbe and of the Athenian lovers? (Or with Romeo and Juliet, which dates from 1594-1596 -- the same years as A Midsummer Night's Dream?) In other words, are Bottom and company there only for comic relief, or do they convey a more serious message? If so, what?
- the royal wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta;
- the story of the Athenian lovers, Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena;
- the conflict between the fairies, Titania and Oberon (seconded by Puck);
- and the efforts of the "Rude Mechanicals," Bottom, Quince and company, to put on a play worthy of a royal wedding.
- Know characters (by name!) in each plot level, and be aware of the ways in which they (the characters and the plot levels) interact.
- How are they parallel or contrasted?
- What do the different plot levels have in common? (e.g. a movement from conflict to harmony; the theme of love triumphing over great odds).
- How does Shakespeare use these parallel plots (and characters) to unify the play as a whole?
2. Is Puck the play’s interpreter?
- look for examples to use later in writing an essay based on those observations.
3. Make note of each time the word “dream” is used in the play and how it is used. For example, Hippolyta in her first speech says, “Four nights will quickly dream away the time,” (I, i) in reference to time passing until her wedding with Theseus. Lysander says, “…short as any dream,” (I, i) in explaining to Hermia how quickly their hopes for a life with each other are dashed.
4. Make note of each time the word “moon” is used in the play and how it is used. For examples, Theseus mentions moon in I, i, in reference to the stages of the moon. He says the old moon lingers and is impatient for the new moon to come so he can get married. Hippolyta says the new moon will soon behold their marriage ceremony (I, i).
5. A main theme of the play is the transitoriness and inconstancy of love.
- As you read, find examples to support his statement.
6. Notice the ways in which Shakespeare uses language (prose, blank verse and rhyme) to differentiate between characters (i.e. fairies and mortals; nobility and rustics) or to create other effects (increased solemnity or silliness; poetic effects).
- Note how the language of the artisans (Bottom, etc.) differs from that of the court (Theseus and Hippolyta), of the lovers (Hermia, etc.), and of the fairies (Oberon, etc.). What is achieved by this variety? Compare Theseus’s first lines Hippolyta, “Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour/Draws on apace…” (I, i) to Lysander’s first speech to Hermia, “How now, my love! Why is your cheek so pale? (I, i). Oberon’s greeting to Titania, “Tarry, rash wanton: am not I thy lord?” (II, i) in sharp contrast to the other two examples. Be sure to note the mistakes in vocabulary the mechanicals make, whether the actors are speaking in poetry or prose, and what difference that makes.
7. Acts I and V take place in the "real" world of Athens (by day), Acts II, III and IV in a dream world, the woods outside the city (by night). Why does Shakespeare make use of the two settings? How can each be characterized? Do they serve any symbolic purpose? Who governs each world? What kinds of power are contrasted? Which is ultimately more powerful? (Does one have an effect on -- transform -- the other?)
8. The play begins with a forced marriage, fighting fairies, and thwarted lovers; it ends with a triple wedding and a newly reconciled pair of Fairy monarchs. In this movement from conflict to harmony, notice how marital/erotic love is used as a symbol of social harmony and concord. Note also the imagery of fertility (natural fecundity vs. blight, but also the implicit fertility of the couples who will be united in marriage.) What are Titania and Oberon fighting about at the beginning of the play? (What is the symbolic significance of the Changeling boy?)
9. The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses, stories about magical transformations. What are some of the transformations in the play? Consider both literal transformations ("Bless thee, Bottom! thou art translated!" [III.i.119-120]) and figurative ones (between day and night, discord and harmony, reality and dream, unhappiness and bliss). 6) Trace the references to dreams and dreaming in the play. What do "dreams" represent? Who presides over the dream world (the forest at night)? What is the power of dreams? Can dreams have an effect on "reality"?
10. Characterize the fairies and their magic. To what extent do they represent natural forces (i.e. the power of nature?) What else might they represent? Notice that the fairies' magic takes place at night, and that it is several times compared to (or mistaken for) dreams. To what extent is their "magic" a double of the playwright's magic, making a "dream" come to life on the stage? In this regard, you may want to consider references to dreams and dreaming, to magic, and to poetry (e.g. Theseus's conversation with Hippolyta in V.1.1-27), as well as Puck's epilogue.
11. It is thought that A Midsummer Night's Dream was first written to be performed at a court wedding. Pyramus and Thisbe is a "play within a play" put on by the "Rude Mechanicals" to celebrate a royal wedding. In Act V, then, we are watching an audience watch a play that is like the play we are watching as an audience. What does this parallelism suggest? What function does the "play within a play" serve? (What is its dramatic significance and thematic relevance to the work as a whole?) Are there parallels between the stories of Pyramus and Thisbe and of the Athenian lovers? (Or with Romeo and Juliet, which dates from 1594-1596 -- the same years as A Midsummer Night's Dream?) In other words, are Bottom and company there only for comic relief, or do they convey a more serious message? If so, what?
November 2nd
1) Shakespeare's Life
November 4th
1. Shakespeare Video Biography
2. Ovid's Pyramus & Thisbe
3. Go over Act 1 Worksheet
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 2Homework: Finish Reading Act 2 & Complete Act 2 worksheet
November 7th
1. Cultural Context2. Go over Act 2 worksheet
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 3
Homework: Finish Reading Act 3 & Complete Act 3 worksheet
Wednesday, November 9th
1. Love & Marriage in Elizabethan England
2. Go over Act 3 Worksheet
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 4
Homework: Finish Reading Act 4 & Complete Act 4 worksheet
2. Read your Independent Book # 2 & work on 3-Chart (15-20 examples)
Friday, November 11th - NO SCHOOL
Read your Independent Book # 2 & work on 3-Chart (15-20 examples)
Get caught up on LATE work! Next WEDNESDAY is the LAST DAY to submit LATE work to Ms Rankin
Monday, November 14th
1. Go over Act 4 worksheet
2. Read: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 5
3. Discuss: Essential Questions
Homework: 1. Finish Reading Act 5 & Complete Act 5 worksheet
2. Bring in an outside source for Socratic Seminar that relates to theme of the texts (article, play, poem, song, video, book, film, TV show, etc...) and be prepared to discuss how it relates to the themes of the plays...
Wednesday, November 16th - LAST DAY TO SUBMIT ANY LATE WORK!
Socratic Seminar - Theater
Friday, November 18th
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Exam
Thanksgiving Break!!! & CHRISTMAS BREAK:
Work on Independent Book #3
1) Shakespeare's Life
- Video Bio
- Context
- Read Act 1
November 4th
1. Shakespeare Video Biography
2. Ovid's Pyramus & Thisbe
3. Go over Act 1 Worksheet
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 2Homework: Finish Reading Act 2 & Complete Act 2 worksheet
November 7th
1. Cultural Context2. Go over Act 2 worksheet
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 3
Homework: Finish Reading Act 3 & Complete Act 3 worksheet
Wednesday, November 9th
1. Love & Marriage in Elizabethan England
2. Go over Act 3 Worksheet
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 4
Homework: Finish Reading Act 4 & Complete Act 4 worksheet
2. Read your Independent Book # 2 & work on 3-Chart (15-20 examples)
Friday, November 11th - NO SCHOOL
Read your Independent Book # 2 & work on 3-Chart (15-20 examples)
Get caught up on LATE work! Next WEDNESDAY is the LAST DAY to submit LATE work to Ms Rankin
Monday, November 14th
1. Go over Act 4 worksheet
2. Read: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 5
3. Discuss: Essential Questions
Homework: 1. Finish Reading Act 5 & Complete Act 5 worksheet
2. Bring in an outside source for Socratic Seminar that relates to theme of the texts (article, play, poem, song, video, book, film, TV show, etc...) and be prepared to discuss how it relates to the themes of the plays...
- ANY LATE WORK IS DUE BY WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday, November 16th - LAST DAY TO SUBMIT ANY LATE WORK!
Socratic Seminar - Theater
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Pygmalion
- Outside Source
Friday, November 18th
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Exam
- In-class AP style Essay
- Multiple Choice
Thanksgiving Break!!! & CHRISTMAS BREAK:
Work on Independent Book #3
- 3 Chart & (15-20 examples)
- Analytical & Critical Essay of your book - (3-4 pages, double spaced , 12 pt font) Due January 9th
- How does your book teach bigger themes through the use of character? What literary devices do they employ to make the character development execute successful illustrations of the overall literary work as a whole?
- OR create your own question (Level 4-6)