A Midsummer Night's Dream Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the magical flower in the story?

To make people fall asleep

To make people forget their past

To make people fall in love with the first thing they see (correct)

To grant eternal life

Why does Oberon want to use the magical flower on Titania?

To make her forget about the Indian boy

To exact revenge on her for disobeying him (correct)

To punish her for her cruelty

To make her fall in love with him

Who does Lysander fall in love with after being afflicted with the love potion?

Helena (correct)

Titania

Demetrius

Hermia

What happens to Bottom's head in the story?

It is turned into a donkey's head Signup and view all the answers

Who performs a play for the lovers at the end of the story?

The Athenian craftsmen Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Demetrius at the end of the story?

He falls in love with Helena Signup and view all the answers

What is the occasion that Theseus is preparing for?

His marriage to Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons Signup and view all the answers

What is the final result of Puck's actions in the story?

Love and harmony among the characters Signup and view all the answers

Why does Egeus bring Hermia to Theseus's court?

To ask for the full penalty of law to fall on Hermia's head if she disobeys him Signup and view all the answers

Who does Oberon want Puck to afflict with the love potion initially?

Demetrius Signup and view all the answers

What does Puck do to Demetrius and Lysander to resolve their conflict?

He confuses them by mimicking their voices Signup and view all the answers

Where does Lysander plan to take Hermia to get married?

The house of Lysander's aunt, seven leagues distant from Athens Signup and view all the answers

Why does Helena tell Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander's escape plan?

To regain Demetrius's love Signup and view all the answers

What is Puck's final message to the audience?

Remember the play as a dream Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the conflict between Oberon and Titania?

A quarrel over a young Indian prince given to Titania Signup and view all the answers

What is the occupation of the second group of characters in the woods?

Athenian craftsmen rehearsing a play Signup and view all the answers

Who is the character that commissions Philostrate to find suitable amusements?

Theseus Signup and view all the answers

What is the punishment that Hermia faces if she disobeys her father's wishes?

She will be sent to a convent or even executed Signup and view all the answers

Who is the character that has recently returned from India?

Titania Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the four-day festival organized by Theseus?

To celebrate his marriage to Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary theme explored in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

The difficulty of love Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of A Midsummer Night's Dream?

Lighthearted and comedic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the imbalance in the relationship between Titania and Oberon?

Oberon's coveting of Titania's Indian boy Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the lovers' tangle resolving itself into symmetrical pairings?

A traditional happy ending Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the imbalance in the romantic relationships in the play?

It highlights the difficulties of love Signup and view all the answers

Why does the play not explore the emotions of the characters in depth?

To poke fun at the torments and afflictions of love Signup and view all the answers

What is the central conflict in the relationships among the four young Athenians?

A disparity or inequality in love Signup and view all the answers

What is a central element in creating the fantastic atmosphere in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

The magical power of love Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the imbalance in the relationship between Titania and Bottom?

A comedic situation Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme that is linked to the bizarre, magical mishaps in the forest?

Dreams Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the asymmetrical love among the four young Athenians?

It exemplifies the difficulty of love Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary association of mischief in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

The fairy realm Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the play's exploration of the difficulty of love?

Lighthearted and comedic Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the misuse of magic in the play?

It creates chaos Signup and view all the answers

What is the sense that Puck extends to the audience members at the end of the play?

The sense of illusion Signup and view all the answers

In which realms does the theme of jealousy operate?

In both the human and fairy realms Signup and view all the answers

What is the occupation of the fairies in traditional British folklore?

Mischief makers Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of Puck's actions on the Athenian youths?

It resolves their conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Hippolyta's first words in the play?

They introduce the theme of dreams Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the magical forest in the play?

It serves as a symbol of dreams Signup and view all the answers

What is Puck's approach to mischief?

He enjoys causing chaos and turning things on their head. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of Puck's mistakes in implementing Oberon's plan?

They cause chaos and have the most chaotic effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the transformations in the play?

They ultimately help to restore order and achieve a happy ending. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hermia respond to Lysander's sudden reversal of affection?

She is confused and senses a failure of reason. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the many transformations in the play?

A temporary suspension of reason. Signup and view all the answers

How does Puck's mischief affect the Athenian lovers?

It creates tension and conflict among them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of Bottom's transformation on his companions?

They are terrified and think it's a sign of devilry. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of Puck's transformation of Bottom?

It leads to Titania falling in love with him. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the unreason in the play?

Both disturbing and amusing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Puck's declaration about mischief?

It reveals his personal philosophy of mischief. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta

Theseus, duke of Athens, is preparing for his marriage to Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, with a four-day festival of pomp and entertainment.
Philostrate, Master of the Revels, is commissioned to find suitable amusements for the occasion.

The Conflict between Hermia and Egeus

Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, brings his daughter Hermia to Theseus' court with Demetrius and Lysander.
Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, who loves her, but Hermia is in love with Lysander and refuses to comply.
Egeus asks for the full penalty of law to fall on Hermia's head if she disobeys her father's will.
Theseus gives Hermia until his wedding to consider her options, warning her of the consequences of disobeying her father.

The Elopement Plan

Hermia and Lysander plan to escape Athens the following night and marry in the house of Lysander's aunt, seven leagues distant from the city.
They confide in Hermia's friend Helena, who loves Demetrius and hopes to regain his love by telling him about the elopement.

The Woodland Encounter

Demetrius follows Hermia and Lysander into the woods, with Helena behind him.
Oberon, the fairy king, and Titania, his queen, are in the woods, arguing over a young Indian prince.
Oberon sends Puck to acquire a magical flower to make Titania fall in love with the first creature she sees upon waking.

The Love Potion Chaos

Puck mistakenly afflicts Lysander with the love potion, causing him to fall in love with Helena.
Demetrius and Lysander both end up in love with Helena, who thinks they are mocking her.
Hermia becomes jealous and tries to challenge Helena to a fight.
Puck confuses Demetrius and Lysander, leading them apart until they are lost in the forest.

The Resolution

Puck spreads the love potion on Lysander's eyelids, restoring him to his original love for Hermia.
Theseus and Hippolyta discover the sleeping lovers and take them back to Athens to be married.
Demetrius now loves Helena, and Lysander now loves Hermia.

The Play's Conclusion

The lovers watch Bottom and his fellow craftsmen perform a play, a fumbling, hilarious version of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe.
The fairies bless the sleeping couples with a protective charm and disappear.
Puck remains, asking the audience for forgiveness and approval, urging them to remember the play as though it had all been a dream.

Love's Difficulty

The play explores the theme of love's difficulty, which is often associated with love out of balance, leading to conflicts and tensions.
The prime example of this imbalance is the asymmetrical love among the four young Athenians: Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius, and Demetrius loves Hermia instead of Helena.

Magic

The fairies' magic is central to the play's atmosphere and themes.
Magic is used to embody the supernatural power of love and to create a surreal world.
However, magic can cause chaos when misused, as seen when Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Lysander's eyelids.

Dreams

Dreams are an important theme in the play, linked to the bizarre and magical mishaps in the forest.
Characters often mention dreams throughout the play, with Hippolyta's first words highlighting the prevalence of dreams.
The theme of dreaming recurs when characters attempt to explain bizarre events as mere dreams.

Jealousy

Jealousy operates in both the human and fairy realms in the play.
Among the Athenian lovers, jealousy leads to misaligned desire and tangled relationships.
In the fairy realm, jealousy causes a rift between King Oberon and Queen Titania, leading to the misuse of magic.

Mischief

Mischief is primarily associated with the forest and the fairies who reside there.
Puck is the play's chief creator of mischief, known for his tricks and pranks on unsuspecting humans.
Puck's mistakes in implementing Oberon's plan lead to chaotic effects, further highlighting the theme of mischief.

Transformation

Many examples of emotional and physical transformation occur in the play, contributing to the play's humorous chaos and happy ending.
Most transformations derive from fairy magic, specifically Puck's meddling with the love potion and physical transformations, such as Bottom's transformation into a donkey.

Unreason

The many transformations in the play give rise to a temporary suspension of reason.
As night progresses in the forest, things cease to make sense, leading to examples of unreason, such as Hermia's confusion when Lysander suddenly rejects her and Bottom's self-awareness of his absurd situation with Titania.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, exploring the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta, and the conflict between Hermia and Egeus.