AMSND++Act+V


 * Act V**

He realizes that they truly love each other and that it would not be fair, or just, to force them to marry anyone else.
 * 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?**

He feels like a simpler play would be better and wants to see the work of untrained actors, instead of professionals.
 * 57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?**

Philostrate tries to keep Theseus from seeing the play because he feels that it is absolutely terrible. He uses the words, "A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus." This means that it is, in reality, very short, but feels like it goes on forever, because it is so bad.
 * 58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?**

He means that nothing can ever be bad, when it is simple and and comes from the true hard work of people in the community.
 * 59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?**

The intended purpose of the prologue was to inform the audience that the character were actually just actors and they were not really killing themselves. In reality, the prologue accomplished nothing. All it did was give away the entire story for the audience.
 * 60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?**

Shakespeare basically has the audience (of the Pyramus and Thisbe play) making funny comments about the play the entire way through to enhance the humour for the real audience.
 * 61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?**

Part way through the play, Hippolyta said that it was, "...the silliest stuff..." she had ever heard. By the end, she sort of felt embarrassed for the actors, but she appreciated their efforts.
 * 62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?**

Thisbe's final speech is humorous because "her" lines are not logically put together and the train of thought is kind of mixed.
 * 63. In what way is Thisbe’s final speech humorous?**

Oberon tells the fairies to bless the brides-beds.
 * 64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?**

The purpose of Puck's final speech is to apologize to the audience if they were offended by the play. He said that if they were offended, they should just pretend that it was all a dream.
 * 65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?**


 * 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** - "....gracious, golden, glittering gleams..."


 * breaking the play’s illusion of reality** - "Pyramus: No, in truth, sir, he should not. "Decieving me" is Thisbe's cue. She is to enter now, and I am to spy her through this wall. You shall see, it will fall pat as I told you. Yonder she comes." This is breaking the illusion of reality because Bottom starts interacting with the audience and explains what will happen next. It would not seem realistic.


 * using the wrong word or name** - "I see a voice...", "....I can hear my Thisbe's face."


 * repeating a word excessively** - "Now die, die ,die, die, die."


 * ridiculous metaphor** - "My soul is in the sky."

=== 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? === Observing another audience helps us to see what they are thinking and how they like the play. It also shows what the audience of plays, in those days, did.

=== 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? === In AMSND, Helena could be an example of the clueless character. Oberon could be and example of the knowing, clever character. In modern television, Spongebob and Patrick (in Spongebob Square Pants) are very good examples of the clueless characters. They are both stupid and extremely silly.

=== 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? === Pyramus and Thisbe would not be appropriate because: - The two lovers both kill themselves - The play is a tragedy and a wedding is supposed to be a joyful place Pyramus and Thisbe would be appropriate because: - it is a story of lovers and true love It is ironic because the two pairs of lovers did the same thing as Pyramus and Thisbe because they ran away to be together.

Completion 25/25 Effort 23/25 Content 23/25

Total 71/75

Podcast 1 - 18/20 Podcast 2 - NHI