EUL - Love and Comedy Lesson

Love and Comedy

Along with unrequited love, the idea of love can be humorous—even if the humor comes about in a roundabout way. In the previous lesson, Shakespeare's sonnets revealed the concept of unrequited love. However, along with his poetry, Shakespeare remains famous for the various plays he wrote.

Drama

The term "drama" comes from a Greek word meaning "action." Throughout the history of Europe, plays were a form of entertainment—even the Queen wanted to watch the plays. When reading a drama, much of the action is lost because plays are supposed to be performed. Remember that plays are divided into Acts (like chapters in a book) and Scenes (parts of the Acts). Within these Acts and Scenes, the playwrights include much information within the text for a reader to visualize what is supposed to take place in each scene.

Shakespeare's plays are divided up into histories, tragedies, and comedies. The histories are dramas about various Kings revealing their lives and battles. The tragedies, such as Romeo and Juliet, typically end badly (hence the term "tragic"). Finally, the comedies are not what an audience typically interprets as a modern-day comedy. A modern-day comedy translates into "funny." Shakespeare's comedies have elements of humor to provide comic relief, or relief from heavy, stressful situations in a drama. Nonetheless, a "comedy" referring to Shakespeare indicates a problem throughout the play, but the play ends happily. A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's comedies. As you read this play, think about love and comedy. Notice how the interactions between characters provide humor for the audience.

Character Interactivity

Read the character list in the sidebar and participate in this interactivity to be sure you know your characters!

Reading Assignment: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

It is now time to read A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Follow the reading schedule laid out by your instructor and use the reading questions to guide you as you read. Get a copy of the play at a public library, at a bookstore, or through your school library. Additionally, you can access the text through the links below.

Click here for an online text of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Links to an external site. 

Click here for a downloadable version. Links to an external site.

Use the questions below to guide your understanding of the play. Or click here to access the reading comprehension questions. Links to an external site.

1. What are Theseus and Hippolyta discussing at the play's start?
2. How does Hippolyta come to be betrothed to Theseus?
3. Why is Egeus disturbed?
4. What will be Hermia's fate if she refuses to marry Demetrius?
5. To what do Lysander and Hermia agree?
6. What hope does Helena have by telling Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia's flight?
7. Who are the characters in scene two, and what do they plan?

 

Read Act II

Use the questions below to guide your understanding of the play (also located in the handout in the sidebar).

1. Why is Oberon angry with his queen?
2. On what mission does Oberon send Puck?
3. Upon overhearing Demetrius and Helena, what does Oberon command Puck to do?
4. Upon whose eyes does Puck apply the potion?
5. When he wakes up, who does Lysander see and love?
6. What is Helena's reaction to Lysander's words of love?
7. To where has Lysander disappeared when Hermia awakes?

 

Read Act III

Use the questions below to guide your understanding of the play (also located in the handout in the sidebar).

1. Why does Bottom want a prologue written for the play?
2. What has Puck done to Bottom?
3. Identify the speaker: "Tie up my love's tongue, bring him silently."
4. What news does Puck bring Oberon?
5. Why does Oberon send Puck to fetch Helena?
6. What is Helena's situation at this point in the play?
7. What does Helena suppose of Hermia?
8. What does Hermia think Helena has done?
9. Why does Oberon send Puck to confuse the two young men?
10. What remedy corrects the crossed-loved couples?

 

Read Act IV

Use the questions below to guide your understanding of the play (also located in the handout in the sidebar).

1. Why does Titania give Oberon the child?
2. How does Oberon find Titania and Bottom?
3. Why does Oberon remove the spell he has cast over his queen?
4. Finding the two couples asleep in the wood and learning of their more balanced love, what order does Theseus give?
5. What news does Bottom bring his companions?

Read Act V

Use the questions below to guide your understanding of the play (also located in the handout in the sidebar).

1. Why do you think Shakespeare included a play within a play?
2. What do the fairies do after the palace goes to sleep?
3. Who does Puck address at the play's end?
4. What is the purpose of this last speech?

Drama Interactivity

Now that you have finished reading the play, practice your understanding of the dramatic elements and meaning within the play.