Act 5

SCENE i
1. Why doesn’t Theseus believe in the reports of the previous night’s events? Why does Hippolyta disagree with him?
2. Why does Theseus choose the craftsmen’s play for the nuptial entertainment?
3. What does Theseus mean by the lines “For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it”?
4. Why does the audience find Quince’s prologue amusing?
5. Why does Moon conclude his part by speaking directly to the audience?
6. How is the plot of Pyramus and Thisbe similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
7. What is Hippolyta’s initial opinion of the play? How does it change during the performance?
8. Why do the fairies return at the end of the play?
9. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?
10. Now that you have observed all of the love relationships in the play (Lysander & Hermia, Titania & Oberon, Theseus & Hippolyta, Pyramus & Thisbe, etc…) which of the couples do you think has the strongest bond of love. Explain why.
11. Did you enjoy the mechanicals play? Why or why not? Did you think it was more comedic or tragic?