MSND+ACT+V

Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? He thinks that what their saying would never happen.

57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? The other entertainers did not suit the occasion or he did not enjoy their acts. He also thinks that any actors with as much passion as the actors of Pyramus and Thisby.

58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? Philostrate doesn't want Theseus seeing the play because he thinks that it's just a waste of time. He says that it's a waste of time.

59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? He means that when determination fuels something, it can never be amiss.

60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? That the lion is not real, and that Thisby does not actually kill herself.

61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? The audience goes along with the play, and jokes around about the actors' abilities.

62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? She's very content about it.

63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? She takes off her wig and makeup and then says this huge speech in his actual voice. Thisbe asks Pyramus "are you asleep my love?" when he is clearly dead with a sword sti cking out of him.

64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? To bless the newly wed lovers.

65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? To wrap up the whole story and to attract more people to come and watch the play. At the end of his speech, he says that if you didn't like the play, then basically, it was all a dream.

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  "Whereat, the blade, with bloody blameful blade, he bravely broached is boiling bloody breast. = = breaking the play’s illusion of realit y "No in truth sir, he should not. "Deceiving me" is Thisbe's cue," Bottom says to the audience. = = using the wrong word or nam e "Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me straightaway?" = = repeating a word excessively Pyramus : "Now die die die die die." = = ridiculous metaphor  "This is the true beginning of our end." =

===**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?** === **We see how the audience is reacting to the performance and also how the performers are reacting to the audience.**

===**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?** === **Bugs bunny and elmer fudd** **Road runner and coyote**

===**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 play might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration because there are many sad parts in it, and it shows a lover's love being torn apart because of misunderstanding. At your wedding, you would want a play that is more cheerful and not psyching you out about your future. The play is ironic to what happened to the lovers because they know what it feels like to loose someone they love, like the in the play Pyramus and Thisbe**