Mid+Summers+Night+Dream+Act+5

Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?: Theseus belevie that the pairs of lover are making things up because they are so in love that they do not actually realize what they are really saying. He is mostly overwhelmed with the wedding to so he is so overjoyed that he dismisses them without a thought.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?: He chooses the play about peromous and Thisbe because it is simple and he feels that will do the play the most justice. Also because he thinks the other plays are unoriginal and repetative.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?: The philostrate say the play is much to short. He also says the language in the play was terrible and he cried from laughter while watching it because the acting was so herendous.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?: Hes saying that when a play is not over acted and when it is not adapted it makes the play very good. He means by saying that that the simplier the play and also the less dramatical acting the better the play will be.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?:

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?The purpose of the prologue is to introduce the audience to their play and also to let them know not to be offended by anything in the play, such as the lion or the wall.(Offending in the sesne that it is unorthodox or weirder than usual.)

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?: Hippolyta finds the play funny. She feels the play is funny is in the way that the way the actors are adressed and they obvious errors in speach is comical because there wrong.

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous?: Although the speech is not ment to be funny it has a comedy of errors ranging from grammar and misprounounced sentences. Also Thisby adresses the audience to tell them that she is dying when it is quite obvious.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?: Oberon tells the fairies to stay and bless all of the couples. The blessing providing them protection from any misfortune.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?: He wanted to state his regret for the mistakes he made with the pairs of lovers.

Extending the thought process:

FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example: excessive alliteration: In act 5 in a prologue the prolugue uses excessive illeteration aswell as rhyming in the same sentence which is uneccesary. An example of this is "...That vile Wall which these lovers doth sunder and through Walls chinks poor souls they are content to whisper. At the which let no man wonder."

Completion6/10 Effort 5/10 Content6/10

total: 17/30

revised total: 28/30

Breaking the play’s illusion of reality: The artisans decide not to tell anyone about the events that occurred with Bottom because they do not want others to think they are crazy. But other people in the kingdom are aware that their are mystical and magical fairies around, which could be a completely logical explanation for the events that took place. This breaks the illusion of reality and logic in the play but is a small element in the play that shouldn't be over examined.

Using the wrong word or name: When snout is speaking about his part he says I am Snout by name and I play the wall.

Repeating a word excessively: In the play Pyramus and Thisbe that the artisans are performing Pyramus has a line that repeatedly uses the same word. He states, " O grim-look'd night! O night with hue so black! O night, which ever art when day is not! O night, O night! alack, alack, alack, I fear my Thisby's promise is forgot! And thou, O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall, That stand'st between her father's ground and mine! Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall..."

Ridiculous metaphor: I thought a ridiculous metaphor that one of the artisans had to state to the audience to not scare the ladies was, " Whose gentle hearts fear the smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on the floor."

a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?

I thought the ability to observe the audience and watch their reactions as they watched the play a unique way of understanding the play at a different angle. I thought the movie we watched in class was an interesting perspective of the play because not only did we get to hear the audiences dialogue but we got to observe their reactions and facial expression. It is not always clear on how the character might be expressing something when it is just written and the same sentence could be said using the same words but in a different tone to have a completely different meaning as well as a facial expression or a body movement which is impossible to see when you are just reading the script. So in the story I was able to pick up the positive relationship and connection that audience and the performers created as a result of the comedic play the performers put on.

b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?

An example of this situation is a comedy television show called the "Big Band Theory" that have a large group of intelligent characters who co-exist with a much less intelligent friend who in ways is more "street" smart than they are. The exchange of the two types of knowledge creates a comedic relationship between the characters.

c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?

The overall theme of the play Pyramus and Thisbe is a sad play in which to lovers are unable to be together in life. Which is a fairly dark and depressing message for a wedding day but at the same time the way the play is being put on, it is humorous and in a way pokes fun at the sad play and makes the situation lighter. The play is ironic because in the play-within-the-play the main characters have to over come the obstacles of love which is similar to what Demetrius, Helena, Lysander, and Hermia had to do. Lysander and Hermia's love was forbidden by Hermia's parents similar to the same as Pyramus and Thisbe. And although the characters all had different obstacles to overcome to get their lovers they all had to work for their love none the less.