Act I and Act II Quiz

What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus?

According to Egeus and Theseus, women were considered property of men. Daughter were expected to obey their fathers and do whatever they said as they got to choose who their daughter was going to marry.

What does Oberon send Puck to find?

He sends him to find the flower called love-in-idleness that when poured into the eyes of a person, they will fall in love with the first being they see.

What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?

He tells him to pour the love-in-idleness into Demetrius' eyes to make him fall in love with Helena.

Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?

He thinks he's the best. Through his lines you can tell he's a very confident person. That's probably why Bottom uses malapropism and does not realize.

How does Helena react to Lysander's sudden love for her when he awakens?

Helena reacts with confusion and with some offense because she thinks he is making fun of her.

What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?

Helena says that she wanted him to, and that it would be a privilege.

How does Helena react to Demetrius's verbal abuse?

Helena thanks Demetrius for his verbal abuse and tells him that when he pushes her away she is only drawn closer to him. Demetrius even threatens to rape her in the forest and she is fine with it.

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

Her brings them to Theseus because Egeus hopes that Theseus will agree with to force his daughter to marry Demetrius. Egeus expects Demetrius to marry Hermia, but Hermia and Lysander are in love.

Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?

Hermia insists that she sleep a little ways from Lysander is because she wants to save herself for marriage.

What is Theseus' rule concerning Hermia?

Hermia is given the choice to either marry Demetrius, become a nun, or die. She cannot marry the man she is in love with.

How is Hermia's dream a reflection of reality?

Hermia's dream is a reflection of reality because in her dream she is abandoned and betrayed by Lysander. In reality when she is sleeping, puck magically makes Lysander fall in love with the next girl he sees and Lysander sees Helena and falls in love with her. Then, Hermia wakes up and was actually abandoned by Lysander.

How is Hippolyta's reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?

Hippolyta thinks the next four days will pass quickly since she is calm and not concerned about their marriage. Thesues thinks the days will pass slowly because he is anxious about getting married to her as fast as possible. This possible foreshadows that they may not get married.

How do you suppose the threat of being handed if they scare the ladies will affect the artisans' interpretation of the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby?

I think because the mechanicals are afraid of scaring the ladies, they will make the play less graphic. This may take away from the tragedy of the play, which would make it more funny. If they change the play and put their own spin on it, it will allow for the funny mistakes that happen later in the play.

How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta, and why have they come to Athens?

In the past, Oberon was involved, or had an affair with, Hippolyta. Titania in the past had an affair with Theseus. Oberon accuses Titania of coming to Athens because she is still in love with Theseus and wants to stop his wedding, while Titania accuses Oberon of still being in love with Hippolyta and that being his reason for coming to Athens.

How does Lysander's comment about Demetrius's previous love affair with Helena complicate things?

It complicates things because Demetrius looks bad in front of Theseus. Theseus claimed he heard about some of his previous affairs so they could still honor Egeus' wishes as he is the father.

In what way is Helena's behavior inappropriate for Athenian women?

It is inappropriate because Helena is clinging to love and will even suffer him doing her harm to be closer to him. Another way of thinking of this is that she is trying to control a man's emotions which a women should not do during this time and she is trying to obstruct his arranged marriage to Hermia.

What are Oberon's plans for Titania?

Oberon plans to pour the love potion in Titania's eyes. When Titania wakes up she falls in love with any forest beast or creature.

Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?

Oberon wants Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing to get back at her for her affair with Theseus and so he could use her changeling as servant.

Why does Puck anoint Lysander's eyes?

Puck believes that Lysander is the Athenian boy that Oberon sent him out to find. However, he put the love potion on the wrong boys eye.

Even thought Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia's best friend, why does she decide go tell Demetrius of Hermja and Lysander's plans?

She tells Demetrius about their plans because she thinks that if she does he will be thankful and love her for that.

Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting in this same place at the same time?

The actors are meeting in the woods outside of the city which represents a land of chaos and lawlessness (They are entering the "unknown"). At the same time, Lysander and Hermia are going into the woods to elope and Helena is following Demetrius into the woods.

What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?

The reader finds out that Oberon and Titania are currently in a rocky state with their relationship. There is also an orphaned Indian boy that Titania wants to adopt and care for while Oberon wants to take him as a slave.

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

The scene is funny because the Mechanicals are planning on performing a tragedy at a wedding, and they genuinely think it's a good choice. Bottom is also supposed to be funny because he thinks he's a good actor and wants to do every part but he's actually not good at all. Shakespeare probably included this scene to add more comedy.

What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?

Their quarrel has had a very negative effect on the natural function of the world, there have been rainstorms at unnatural times, occasional flooding and high wind. These conditions caused crop failure and food shortages.

What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation?

They plan to elope and get married. Since Lysander has a relative outside of Athens, they can live with that relative.

Why do they tell Helena what they plan to do?

They tell Helena what they plan to do because she is Hermia's best friend and they think she won't tell.

Why won't Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?

Titania won't give him up because he was one of her followers children and his mother passed away giving birth. Titania felt obliged to care for the boy.