Reflections
A: Egeus brings Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius to Theseus so that he may get a strict ruling pertaining to his wish where Hermia will be forcibly wed to Demetrius and as a result, Lysander would have no choice but to forget Hermia.
Q: Why does Helena want to be like Hermia so badly?
A: Helena is driven to be like Hermia so that she may attract boys the way that Hermia does. Of the male characters, Lysander and Demetrius, both are attracted to Hermia and not Helena. This is the main reason she wants to be similar to Hermia in every way so that she may attract boys.
Q: Why do Hermia and Lysander inform Helena of their plan?
A: Out of foolishness, Hermia and Lysander tell Helena their plan to run away to Athens and get married. They want to hear feedback of their plan, which eventually comes back to haunt the couple later on.
Q: Why is Peter Quince the one who is assigning roles for the play?
A:Peter Quince is assigning the roles of others because he has been placed in charge. Peter Quince was given the task of directing the interlude for the duke and duchess for the wedding.
Q:Why does Bottom want to play the roles of others such as Francis Flute, Snug the Joiner, and even the Lion?
A: Nick Bottom wants to play numerous other roles to boast about his talents. Bottom thinks that he can put this play on all by himself and do every part better than anyone else can.
· “With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling” (Scene I Line 20)
· Triumph- (noun) pageantry
· The Philadelphia Phillies were triumphant at last when the won the world series in 2008.
Immediately
· “Immediately provided in that case” (Scene I Line 46)
· Immediately- (adjective) expressly
· The average person wants high luxury things immediately, causing a flow of wanting things.
Faint
· “Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon” (Scene I Line 75)
· Faint- (adjective/verb) spiritless
· The girl fainted during her soccer game due to lack of proper hydration.
Intelligence
· “Pursue her, and for this intelligence” (Scene I Line 254)
· Intelligence- (noun) gathered information
· The quote, “Brains over brauns” explains how intelligence is stronger than muscle.
Condoling
· “Ercles’ vein, a tyrants vein. A lover is more condoling” (Scene II Line 35)
· Condoling- (adjective) pathetic
· Grades lower than a B are considered condoling in the Lumpkin household and are not well accepted.
Lysander to Hermia, Scene 1, Line 136
This quote means that love is like a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs. Love is not perfect, and always has some bumps or problems involved with it. This quote is significant because Lysander is not allowed to marry Hermia, even though they are in love. Their journey of true love is not running smooth at the moment, and has a problem of not being able to marry each other.
“The more I hate, the more he follows me.”
Hermia to Helena, Scene 1, Line 203
Hermia is having a conversation with her friend Helena when she says this quote. Hermia is talking about Demetrius, and how the more disrespectful she is towards him, the more Demetrius loves her. Helena is very jealous of Hermia, because Demetrius loves her. Helena wishes Demetrius would just love her, and she tries everything for him, however, he still loves Hermia even though she hates him. Helena does not understand why.
The second connection I made was with the television show parental control. In this show, parents who don’t like their child’s boyfriend or girlfriend can set up dates with people they like. In the novel, Egeus was unhappy with Lysander around his daughter, Hermia. In this scenario, he imposed a law where Hermia was forced to marry Demetrius.
Act II
Independent- Act II was an act that was filled with tons of information and detail that will also set the tone for this novel. In this particular scene however, the reader is introduced to so much. In this scene, the reader is introduced to the fairies such as Puck, and the leader of the bunch, Oberon. Personally, I feel like Puck is the type of person who would abuse his power in order to obtain a little entertainment. I begin to wonder if maybe he may abuse his power and get them revoked. If this did occur, I would be interested to know what he did to get these powers revoked. Puck seems like a free spirit guy, and his personality makes my prediction interesting.
Class- As if the love situation could not get any worse, Puck had to mess up something. When Oberon gave Puck the task of placing the love potion on Demetrius, in order to make him love Helen, his details were extremely vague. Oberon describes Demetrius as a man dressed in Athenian clothes. These extremely vague details led to a tremendous deal of confusion. Puck, not being a person who thinks twice was quick to act. To the dismay of Oberon, Puck gets Demetrius mixed up with Lysander and puts the potion on him. As a result, the first person that Lysander saw, Helena, he fell in love with. I felt like Oberon should have been extremely clear in his directions to prevent a mistake from occurring.
Questions
Q: Why does Helena tell the secret to Demetrius?
A: Helena informs Demetrius of the secret plan that Hermia and Lysander have to get married. The reason she does this is to get noticed. All Helen really wants is to be appreciated by Demetrius.
Q: What is the cause of Oberon and Titania’s argument?
A: The reason for the argument is the fact that Oberon wants Titania’s changeling boy. He mainly wants the boy to be his henchmen.
Q: Why does Helena pursue Demetrius?
A: Helena pursues Demetrius because she loves him and will do so until death. Demetrius had wooed and won her before Egeus chose him as a son-in-law and before Demetrius fell in love with Hermia. Helena cannot accept that Hermia, who loves and is loved by Lysander, is also loved by Demetrius.
Q: Why does Demetrius want Helena to leave him alone?
A: Demetrius wants Helena to quit bothering him he is in hot pursuit of someone himself. He is looking for Hermia and Lysander so that he can break up their plan for an escape leading to an eventual marriage.
Q: How does Oberon intend to punish his wife?
A: Oberon intends to punish his wife by dropping an eye juice on her eye while she sleeps so that she will fall in love with the first creature she sees upon waking. He plans to release her from the spell after she agrees to give him the child that he wants
Vocab
Shrewd
· “Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite” (Scene I Line 33)
· Shrewd- (adjective) malicious
· Pol Pot was considered a shrewd leader of Cambodia because he brought harm to citizens.
Steppe
· “Come from the farthest steppe of India” (Scene I Line 70)
· Steppe- (noun) extensive pain
· We walked a couple of miles out across the flooded steppe.
Impeach
· “You do impeach your modesty too much” (Scene I Line 218)
· Impeach- (verb) to stain the reputation of
· Presidents can be impeached for wrong doing and then kicked out of office.
Transparent
· “Transparent Helena! Nature shows art” (Scene II Line 105)
· Transparent- (adjective) radiantly beautiful, diffusing beauty as the sun does its rays.
· My dog ran into the transparent door because all she could see was in front of her.
Flout
· “But you must flout my insufficiency?” (Scene II Line 129)
· Flout- (verb) to mock
· Young children would flout people who wore glasses by calling them four-eyes.
“Use me but as your spaniel: spurn me, strike me, neglect me, lose me; only give me leave (unworthy as I am) to follow you.”
Helena to Demetrius, Scene 1, Lines 212-214
Helena is begging Demetrius to love her. She will do anything for his love, and even compares herself to a dog, and does not care how Demetrius treats her, as long as he loves her. That shows that Helena has no respect herself, if she is going to go as low as requesting Demetrius to treat her like an animal. Helena sounds very desperate and pathetic, and she just does not get the point that Demetrius does not like her.
“We cannot fight for love as men may do. We should be wooed and were not made to woo.”
Helena to Demetrius, Scene 1, Lines 248-249
Helena, once again, is begging for Demetrius’ love. She is complaining how women should fight for love like she is because it is the man’s job. Helena means that women should be pleased and should not do the pleasing towards the men. Helena is whining about how she does all this fighting for Demetrius’ love, and yet he still does not love her. It is significant because it shows how much Helena will try to get Demetrius to love her, and he still shows no affection towards her.
In act II, the first connection I made was with the Nickelodeon show, Fairly Odd Parents. In this show, the main character, Timmy Turner likes a girl, Trixie Tang, but does not like him back. In the novel, Helena loves Demetrius, but Demetrius wants nothing to do with her.
In act II, the second connection I made was with another Nickelodeon show, Spongebob. In the novel, the entire life square makes no sense and contradicts itself. This contradiction becomes an irony. The irony in Spongebob takes place in the setting of the television show. In the show, the town is located under water. However, Spongebob can be spotted drinking water from a glass and can also be spotted at the beach.
Visual
For act II, an image that I chose, meant little to me at first, but set off a light bulb. Throughout this novel, Helena had been in hot pursuit of Demetrius. Regardless of her efforts, Demetrius was always pushing her away. Later on in the novel, Demetrius began to chase after her because he liked her. This picture however, is more of a comic. In this comic, it is not predictable which way they are going. The unique thing about this picture is that they could be going in three different directions. She could be going towards him while Demetrius draws back, Demetrius could be chasing after Helena, they could be standing facing each other, or it’s even possible that they are both going their different ways.
Questions
A: Quince feels that the rehearsal spot in the wood is “a marvelous convenient place” for practicing their play because there is a flat area, a green plot, to serve as the stage and shrubs to represent the tiring house with a dressing room.
Q: Why does Bottom feel they need two Prologues to the play?
A: Bottom feels the craftsmen need “a device to make all well” —two Prologues to the play in order to warn the ladies of the audience that there will be a sword scene which is only acting, no one is really going to be hurt, and that the Lion is only an actor, not an actual savage beast who may harm them.
Q:Why does Titania fall in love with Bottom at random?
A: As part of Oberon’s punishment, Titania was to have the magic love potion on her eyes where when she woke up, she would fall in love with the ugliest creature she first lays eyes on which was Bottom.
Q:Why are Demetrius and Lysander fighting again?
A: After Puck accidentally placed the love potion on the wrong people, Lysander was in love with Helen, Helen was confused, Demetrius also loved Helen, and Hermia was for once, not loved. Again, the two boys like the same woman and try to out-compete one another.
Q: Why does Helena feel like everyone is teaming up on her?A: Before the love potion, Helena would die for just an ounce of attention. After the potion, two people are in love with her and Hermia is jealous. The tables turned so quickly where everything revolves around her and she is simply unfamiliar with being in the spotlight.
Vocab
“I see their Knavery.” (Line 122)
Knavery - (noun) unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest.
Because of his knavery, it is hard to trust him to do the right thing.
Derision
“Scorn and derision never come in tears.” (Line 125)
Derision- (noun) mockery, the act of making fun of something or someone
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but derision will never hurt me.
Enamored
“Mine ear is much enamored of thy note.” (Line 140)
Enamored-(adjective) in love with something or someone; captivated 2. (Transitive verb) to inspire somebody with love or passion.
The enamored dog ran after the beautiful poodle.
Vixen
“She was a vixen when she went to school.” (Line 341)
Vixen- (noun) an ill-tempered or quarrelsome woman or a female fox.
His wife acted like vixen when he came home late.
Officious
“You are too officious” (Line 349)
Officious-(adjective) characteristic of somebody who is eager to give unwanted help or advice; being officious can be positive or negative.
The officious math tutor tried to help the boy with his English homework.
Bottom to Titania, Scene 1, Lines 145-146
Bottom says this to Titania when they are in love in the beginning of Act 3. Bottom’s signing wakes up Titania, which makes her fall in love with him due to the flower’s nectar. This quote means that when someone is in love, people do things without reason. That is significant because that is exactly how Titania is feeling, she does not know why she is persuaded by Bottom’s song, whether she wants to be or not.
“Although I hate her, I’ll not harm her so.”
Lysander to Demetrius, Scene 2, Line 282
Lysander is talking about Hermia when he says this to Demetrius. Demetrius and Lysander are arguing about who hates Hermia more when Lysander says that he would never hurt Hermia. The two men are both in love with Helena. This quote shows that even though Lysander loves Helena now, he still cares about Hermia a little if he would never harm her. It also shows that he will always have something for Hermia, unlike Demetrius.
In act III, I made a connection with another Nickelodeon show, Fairly Oddparents. In this television show, Cosmo and Wanda are the fairies for Timmy Turner. Like this situation, Puck is a fairy working under Oberon. However, one of the wishes that they are forbidden to grant is to force someone to fall in love with another. This is the main thing that Puck is able to do.
Act IV
Class- Another act started off with a peculiar twist as act IV began with Nick Bottom being pampered by the fairy assistants to Oberon and Titania. The only reason for Bottom being taken care of in this way is because he is the lover of the Queen and attended to for whatever he demands. Not the biggest surprise of the story but Bottom feels content with all the attention he is receiving from the attendants. It seems as if knowing the queen, Titania, is an accomplishment itself and worth the reward. Again, not another surprise but Bottom becomes a nuisance to the other fairy attendants with all of his needs and demands.
Class- For the first time in this entire novel, it seems as if Nick Bottom is actually appreciated and cared about. Soon before the performance of Pyramus and Thisbe, Bottom is nowhere to be found. The other performers in the play know that something must have happened because it is extremely likely that Bottom would ever miss a performance. The other actors in the play become discouraged and admit that without Bottom, their play will be ruined. Bottom is praised for his good works and the other actors are extremely grateful when he returns. When he returns, he keeps mentioning this dream that he had which he thinks was just a dream. Only the readers currently know of his experience with Titania.
Questions
Q: Why is Titania in love with her husband again?
A: Titania is in love with her husband, Oberon (king of the fairies) again because the spell was removed from her once she gave Oberon the changeling from India.
Q: Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus in the wood?
A: Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus have come to the wood to hunt as a way of starting the May Day celebration.
Q: Why is Egeus so angry?
A: Egeus is so angry because Lysander has just admitted he and Hermia are defying the law which demands that a daughter marry the man her father chooses for her.
Q: Why won’t Demetrius marry Hermia as he had promised?
A: Demetrius will not marry Hermia as he promised because Helena is the only beauty in his eyes due to Oberon and the love juice’s intervention.
Q: Why does Bottom want his dream written down?
A: The story of how he got his donkey head was perceived as a dream and even though it was real, he wants the dream played out to everyone.
Vocab
· “Now thou and I are a new amity…” (Scene I Line 91)
· Amity- (noun) peaceful relations or relationships
· Marriage is an amity that should last until death.
Gallant
· “Such gallant chiding, for, besides the groves…” (Scene I Line 119)
· Gallant-(adjective) courteous and thoughtful toward women
· In medieval times, knights were chivalrous and gallant.
Amiable
· “While I thy amiable cheeks do coy…” (Scene I Line 2)
· Amiable- (adjective) friendly or pleasant
· The amiable smell of the food made me hungry.
Solemnity
· “We’ll hold a feast in great solemnity.” (Scene I Line 192)
· Solemnity- (noun) formalness or sincerity
· The solemnity of the party made in the atmosphere serious and not humorous.
Marred
· “If he come not, then the play is marred.” (Scene II Line 5)
· Marred- (verb) spoiled or detracted
· If Megan Fox is not in Transformers 3, the movie will be marred.
“Methought I was enamored of an ass.”
Titania to Oberon, Scene 1, Line 78
When Titania wakes up, she thinks that she had visions of being in love with ass. Little does she know that she actually was, and Bottom was that ass. Titania has no idea that her eyes were anointed with the flower’s nectar, making her fall in love with Bottom. This quote is significant because Oberon knows exactly what is going on, and that he used the flower’s nectar in his advantage.
“Good morrow, friends. Saint Valentine is past. Begin these woodbirds but to couple now?”
Theseus to the four lovers, Scene 1, Lines 144-145
Theseus says this when he enters the woods, and sees all of the lovers together. He says that Valentine’s Day, when birds proverbially chose their mates, has passed. He does not understand why the lovers are together, and not fighting. This quote is significant because Theseus does not know that Hermia and Lysander are in love again, and so are Helena and Demetrius.
Connections
In act IV, I made another connection to a movie. This movie is the film Hitch. In this movie, Hitch is setting up countless others to find their mate. He can’t find his at first but by the end of the movie, he ends up happy with the woman of his dreams. This film relates to Helena’s personal story. Many times did she have to watch Lysander and Demetrius go after Hermia. But finally, the tables turn. Towards the conclusion of act IV, Helena was finally happy with the man of her dreams.
Act V
Class- The Final act consisting of one scene was read together as a class. This act is mainly a conclusion to the entire play. As expected, the marriages happen together. Theseus and Hippolyta get married along with the couple of Hermia and Lysander, and finally Helena and Demetrius. I have my fair share of doubts about this marriage because I am uncertain if the love potion could run out. This is the weakest marriage because the only thing that brought the couple together was a magic potion. To conclude this play is another play itself, Pyramus and Thisbe. This play ends up terrible because of poor acting, cheap props that broke down during the play and even using people as props. As terrible as this play was, it was well liked and appreciated by the audience.
A: Theseus doubts the truth because he does not see how it is possible that everything occurred in such a short time.
Q: Why does Theseus choose the craftsmen’s play?
A: Theseus favored the craftsmen’s play for many reasons, especially the title.
Q: Why does Theseus command Demetrius to be silent?
A: Theseus demands Demetrius to be silent because he is attempting to discover if Pyramus and Thisbe were talking through the wall.
Q: Why was Bottom (Pyramus) so dramatic when he committed suicide in the play?
A: The reasons for Bottom being so dramatic relate over and over. Bottom, wanting to be recognized attempted to out perform everyone else.
Q: How does Bottom (Pyramus) go about killing himself in the play?
A: Pyramus kills himself when he sees the bloody cloak of his lover Thisbe and begins to realize that his life means nothing without her.
Vocab
· “And all their minds transfigured so together…” (Line 25)
· Transfigure- (verb) to change appearance or to transform
· In Transformer, the robots transfigure into different vehicles.
Audacious
· “…Of saucy and audacious eloquence.” (Line 109)
· Audacious- (adjective) Bold, daring, or fearless
· Hercules was one of the most audacious heroes in all of Greece.
Interlude
· “In the same interlude this doth befall” (Line 164)
· Interlude- (noun) intervening period of time or a piece of entertainment during the intermission of a longer piece of work.
· Between some plays, instrumental music is played by expert pianists as an interlude.
Discretion
· “It appears by his small light of discretion that he is in wane;”(Line 267)
· Discretion- (noun) the act of being secretive, completely separate, being careful, or using good judgment.
· As a result of his poor discretion, he failed to notice the guard and he was caught stealing apples.
Toiled
· “And now have toiled their unbreathed memories…” (Line 78)
· Toil- (verb) to work long and hard or progress slowly
· The slave toiled in the fields until he ached so much he couldn’t move.
Quotes
Theseus to Philostrate, Scene 1, Lines 44-45
Philostrate is trying to convince Theseus that the actors performing “Pyramus and Thisbe” will do a horrible job, and that Theseus should not choose that play at the reception. Theseus ignores his orders and says that there is no better way to waste some lazy time with enjoyment and happiness. Theseus only wants to see the play for a good laugh, and to laugh at the actors.
“Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends.”
Puck to the audience, Scene 1, Lines 454-455
These are the last lines in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Puck is saying that the audience should applaud if the audience enjoyed the performance and be friends. Puck is also saying that he will bring back any loss or damage done to the audience. It is significant because he is apologizing to anyone that he offended, and it is a good note to end the play on.
In act V, I made a connection with another movie, the second Alvin and the Chipmunks. The only similarities shared between the play and the movie was the disaster shared. The directors of Alvin and the Chipmunks should have went out on top and not created a sequel. The next movie ended up as a tried too hard failure.
Visuals
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