A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Study Guide
Act I

Scene i (Athens, the Duke’s palace)

1.​ What do we learn from the earlier relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta?

Their marriage is strained because of a changeling boy.

2.​ Of what does Egeus accuse Lysander?

Stealing Hermia’s affection

3.​ What does Egeus request of the Duke?

To enforce his choice

4.​ What does Theseus say is Hermia’s responsibility?

Marrying a man she doesn’t love.

5.​ In her responses to the Duke, what kind of person does Hermia show herself to be?

Defiant and Strong-Willed

6.​ In the last line of his speech to the Duke, why does Lysander call Demetrius inconstant?

His love is inconsistent, as he used to love Helena.

7.​ The Duke has told Hermia that it is the law and it will be followed. From this behavior
and manner, what do you think the Duke represents?

A cruel fate

8.​ What plan does Lysander propose?

To run away.

9.​ What does Helena suggest is love’s attraction?

Love is irrational and painful.

 10.​What are Helena’s comments on love at the end of Scene i?

She’s pathetically offering to be abused.

11.​What plan of action does Helena decide to take?

She decides to pursue Demetrius anyways despite the risks of being rejected.
Scene ii (Athens, a laborer’s home)
1.​ Although Peter Quince seems to be the designated leader or director in this group of
workmen, what draws our attention to Nick Bottom?
His comedic bravado

2.​ What do the workmen fear might happen if they are not careful when they portray the
lion?
That it will scare the audience or damage their reputation.
3.​ Why is the group rehearsing a play?
They are rehearsing a play for Thesues’s wedding
4.​ What characterizes the language of Nick Bottom and the others?
Their comedic worries

Act II

Scene i (A forest outside of Athens)

1.​ Puck sets up the scene for the reader. What does he say is the cause of the dispute
between Oberon and Titania? What has happened as a result of this dispute?

A changeling boy

2.​ What, according to Titania, is Oberon’s problem?

Jealousy

3.​ What does she say has happened as a result of their dispute?

The fairy and human worlds are off balance.

4.​ Why will Titania not give up the boy?

She is attached to the boy and protective over him.

5.​ What does Oberon plan to do with the potion?

Make Titania fall in love with an ugly creature.

6.​ What opinion of Helena and Demetrius do you get in their exchange?

They have a very unbalanced dynamic. Helena’s unwavering love contrasts with Demetrius’s
cold indifference very sharply.

7.​ What further instructions does Oberon give Puck?

To put some of the love juice onto the athenian man’s eyes to fall in love with the poor girl

8.​ Why do you suppose Oberon even cares about helping Helena?

She’s pathetically in love.

Scene ii (The same forest)
1.​ Mistakenly, Puck puts the potion on Lysander’s eye rather than Demetrius’. What May
come of this?
Lysander falls in love with whoever he sees first.
2.​ Who awakens Lysander, and what happens?
Helena wakes up Lysander, and when met with love, she gets offended and runs from him.
3.​ How does he explain his change of heart? What, in fact, causes the change in his
affection?
True love, but the potion made him fall in love.
4.​ What is Helena’s response to Lysander’s declarations of love? Why?
Offended, because she thinks he’s mocking her.
Act III
Scene i (The same forest)
1.​ When Bottom comes on stage, Quince tells everyone to run off. Why?
Fear of fairies and Bottom’s overconfidence.
2.​ What is Bottom’s reaction to his companions’ running off? What does he conclude?
That they are silly for being scared, and that he’s much too important.
3.​ Titania, hearing Bottom singing, awakens. What is her reaction?
She falls in love
4.​ How would you characterize Bottom’s dialogue with the fairies?
He’s not scared and has naive bravado.

Scene ii (The same forest)

1.​ As this scene opens, why is Hermia berating Demetrius?

Because Demetrius won’t accept she doesn’t love him.

 2.​ What does Puck’s response demonstrate?

Puck is playful and irresponsible.

3.​ In order to return the situation to normal, the potion is put on Demetrius’ eyes, and Puck
is sent to bring Helena to him, so that she may be the first thing Demetrius sees when he
wakes. As they wait, Puck says, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” What does Puck
really mean?

He is amused and exasperated about mortal love.

4.​ Demetrius awakens and vows his love for Helena. What is Helena’s response?

She’s skeptical and accuses him of mocking her, but still has a deep longing.

5.​ When Hermia finally realizes that Lysander no longer loves her, what is Hermia’s
reaction to his love for Helena?

Hermia's reaction to Lysander's newfound love for Helena is filled with heartbreak, betrayal,
anger, and confusion.

6.​ Having lost the love of her beloved, how does Hermia now see herself?

She feels worthless.

7.​ What does Oberon tell Puck to do to correct these problems Puck has caused?

Put a love potion on Demetrius’s eyes so that when he wakes, he falls back in love with Hermia.

8.​ What does Hermia’s comment reveal about the depth of her love?

She is devoted and committed.

Act IV

Scene i (The same forest)

1.​ How do the fairies’ choices in music further contrast the difference between Titania and
Bottom?

Titania’s music is elegant and soft, while Bottom’s is humorous and upbeat, contrasting the two.

2.​ The word “dote” comes up again, this time spoken by Titania. Earlier Helena talked of
doting on Demetrius. What does this word suggest?
Loving on

3.​ What does Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s doting on Bottom seem to be?

Amusement and triumph

4.​ Once Oberon gets the changeling boy from Titania, what is his plan for Bottom?

Lifting up the enchantment

5.​ What is the main idea in Demetrius’ speech to Egeus?

To uplift the forced marriage and proclaim the importance of choice about love.

6.​ Why do the lovers question whether they are asleep or not?

Because love can feel like a dream

7.​ What is Bottom’s reaction when he wakes?

To create a ballad

8.​ What is significant about the fact that this scene ends with the four lovers going off to
celebrate Theseus’ and their own weddings?

It celebrates love.

9.​ Throughout the play, moonlight is mentioned over 20 times. With what concept are we
meant to associate the moon and moonlight?

The night, sleep, and dreams

Scene ii (Athens, Quince’s House)

1. Why can Bottom not make up his mind about telling or not telling his friends what
happened to him?

He’s scared he’ll be ridiculed, nad it was such a strange experience.

Act V
Scene i ( Athens, Theseus’ palace)
 1.​ In terms of a theme in this play, reality versus illusion, what do the poets, madmen, and
lovers have in common?
They all wrapped around love
2.​ Although he has been warned that it is a terrible play, why does Theseus insist on seeing
Pyramus and Thisbe?
He is curious and supports art
3.​ Hippolyta is concerned that these players might embarrass themselves, and that laughing
at their efforts would be unkind. But Theseus compares their efforts at play-making to
someone who wishes to speak to him, but becomes tongue-tied. What is the point of the
comparison he is making? As a result, what is our opinion of Theseus?
THere is a value of effort and human nature.
4.​ How does this tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe give a comic reflection of the main plot?
It’s about lovers being separated.
5.​ As the three pairs of lovers, now all united in marriage, march off stage, the reunited
Oberon and Titania appear. What is the tone and substance of their comments?​
It’s playful, lighthearted, and a celebration of love
6.​ According to Puck, what should someone who was offended by A Midsummer Night’s
Dream think of it?
As one big joke