A Midsummer Night's Dream ~ Acts 1-3 Study Guide (Simple Answers!)
Why would Oberon tell Puck to charm Demetrius?
Demetrius is being scornful, he wants to be involved.
Why is Egeus upset? What does he expect Theseus to do?
Egeus is upset because Hermia and Lysander fall in love, however, he expects Theseus's permission to kill Hermia or force her to marry Demetrius.
Put this quote into your own words: "...and though she be but little, she is fierce."
Even though she is small, she is feisty.
What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus?
Girls must obey their father/husband.
Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
He believes that he is that good.
Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?
He is jealous and he wants revenge.
What reason does Lysander give Hermia for leaving her alone in the woods?
He left her because he hated her.
What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?
He tells Puck to charm Demetrius to fall in love with Helena.
Why does Oberon want to take the boy from Titania in the first place?
He wants a henchman, and he is jealous.
What are Oberon's plans for Titania?
He wants the baby, so he plans to charm her so she falls in love with the first thing she sees.
At the end of this scene (Act 3, Scene 2), Oberon outlines his new plans for Titania, what are they?
He wants to undo everything; reverse the spell.
Why does Puck anoint Lysander's eyes?
He was confused because Lysander was wearing Athenian garments. The charm was supposed to be for Demetrius.
Hermia and Helena get into a fight- why is Helena fighting with Hermia? Why is Hermia fighting with Helena?
Helena is mad at Hermia for mocking. Hermia is mad at Helena- she stole Lysander.
What do Lysander to Hermia decide to do?
Hermia and Lysander decide to run away and get married.
How is Hermia's bad dream a reflection of what just happened while she slept?
Lysander is gone.
When Puck and Oberon are discussing Titania at the beginning of this scene (Act 3, Scene 2), how does Oberon feel about his plans thus far?
Oberon says that his plan is better than he expected.
On page thirteen, Oberon corrects a mistake made by Puck and Robin G- what was their mistake and what does Oberon do to correct it?
Puck and Robin G put the charm in Lysander's eyes, and also, Oberon fixes it by undoing Lysander's charm and charming Demetrius.
What does Puck mean when he calls the actors "hempen homespuns"?
Puck means inexperienced actors.
Who is discussing Titania and Oberon at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 1?
Robin, Puck and all the fairies
Hermia accuses Demetrius of doing what to Lysander?
She accuses Demetrius of murdering Lysander.
What will Hermia's fate be if she refuses to marry Demetrius?
She could become a nun or get murdered.
When Titania wakes and sees Bottom, she mentions two things about him that she is "enamored of" and "enthralled to". What are they?
She is enamored by his voice and enthralled to his figure.
In what way is Helena's behavior inappropriate for Athenian women?
She is supposed to treat men like gods.
Why won't Titania give up the young boy to Oberon?
She made a promise to take care of the baby; she was loyal to the mother.
Helena should be happy Demetrius now loves her again, right? But her reaction is quite different. What does she say/how does she react when Demetrius confesses his love?
She reacts poorly, thinking Demetrius is mocking her.
How does Helena react to Demetrius's verbal abuse?
She tells him she still loves him.
How does Helena react to Lysander's sudden love for her when he awakens?
She thinks he's mocking her.
What do Puck and Robin G. do at the end of this scene (Act 3, Scene 2)?
Squeeze juice on Lysander's eyes.
What does Helena hope to accomplish by telling Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia's plan?
That Demetrius will be thankful.
What is the title of the "play within a play" that is being rehearsed in this scene?
The play is called "The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisby".
Where are the actors going to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
The woods, Lysander and Hermia will also be there.
How does Hippolyta come to be married to Theseus?
Theseus won her hand by battle.
What are Theseus and Hippolyta discussing at the play's start?
They are discussing their marriage that is coming up soon.
What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon and Titania?
They are married, and they are fighting about the baby.
How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery issues in the staging of their play?
They need a wall, someone will play the wall. Also, they need moonlight, so they leave a window open so moonlight can shine in.
Why do the actors run off when Bottom reappears?
They run off because they are scared of Bottom's costume. Puck and Robin made his head an ass's.
In what ways is this scene (Act 1, Scene 2) funny? Why did Shakespeare include this scene?
This scene is funny because Bottom hogs all of the parts, Shakespeare probably wrote it to make the play appeal to everyone.
What does Oberon send Puck to find?
A magical flower to charm Titania.
