ADDITIONAL NOTES (ACT 1 SCENE 2)

Characterization: The Craftsmen (Act 1 Scene 2)

A) introduced as comic relief to diffuse the tension in Act 1 Scene 1
Act 1 Scene 2 is light-hearted and even funny to an extent- especially if you have read ahead and know what Fate has in store for Bottom. After the strife and arguments in Act 1 Scene 1, the character Nick Bottom tends to bring a smile to the audiences faces
B) The craftsmen are pre-occupied with the highly ironic play they intend to put up for Theseus and Hippolyta’s nuptials

IRONIC? How? Why?
Title of play: The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe
- Staging a play about a pair of tragic lovers during a wedding celebration?!
- Title of play is ironic- how can a comedy be lamentable??
*An oxymoron- two words of opposite meanings juxtaposed (set side by side) eg: Lamentable Comedy


C) Craftsmen are also the foil against which the men in Theseus’s court are viewed.
- Theseus and the men of his court are dignified (mostly!) and educated (?)- perhaps by the way they speak: poetic language (especially Theseus and Lysander)
- Craftsmen are uneducated and rough. They are concerned with the smallest, insignificant details of the play they are going to perform,
Eg: How the roaring of the Lion might scare the court ladies so much that the actors may be put to death

D) Craftsmen are also a group of people who lack imagination
They are afraid the audience may not be able to imagine the Moon, the Wall and the Lion etc if they are not told before hand.
Quince: An you should do it too terribly you would fright / the Duchess and the ladies that they would shriek; / and that were enough to hang us all. (p.53 lines 70-73)

E) The craftsmen also seem to be a kind of transitional group
Links the world of men to the world of fairies. They bring the play to the woods in the same way that Hermia and Lysander decide to elope to the woods of Athens. The presence of the craftsmen in the woods seems to suggest that there will be comedy (from the craftsmen) amidst the tension (from the four lovers)

Do you agree with roles of the craftsmen as suggested above? Can you think of any other reason why Shakespeare may have included them in the play? Share your thoughts.

LSN 3: 24/25 JANUARY 2008

The clip above is a representation of events from Act 2 Scene 1. In this scene,you see Titania and Oberon arguing in the forest (the realm of the fairies)

TASK

(Realm of Fairies)

1. Using information from the play itself and the clip above, explain what has happened to the world of Man since Titania 'forsworn (Oberon's) bed and company'?

2. In light of your answer to Question 1, make sense of Titania's words 'We are their parents and original.' (p. 75 lines 117). What does she mean?

(World of Man: Please refer to your textbook)

3. Examine the exchange between Helena and Demetrius in Act 2 Scene 1. Based on the events that unfold from p. 81-83, lines 188-244, what is your impression of Demetrius in this Act. Has he changed at all since we last saw him in Act 1 Scene 1?

LSN 2: 17 JANUARY 2008

Hey all:)

For this week's online discussion, please view the following video of the workmen who meet to discuss the play 'Pyramus and Thisbe' in Act 1 Scene 2.



Characterization
1. What are some adjectives you would use to describe Nick Bottom based on what you have read in the play and what you saw in the video?
2. Do you like Nick Bottom? Why or why not? Substantiate your answer with examples and quotes from the play.
3. Peter Quince is rather good at ensuring that the most suitable person plays the different roles in their little play. Based on the way he deals with Bottom, what sort of a person would you say Peter Quince was?

Reading and thinking forward: Plot
1. Based on your opinion of Bottom in question (2) above, how does Bottom's character influence the way you feel about him when he is transfigured later on in the play?


ADDITIONAL TASK (Make-up for Lesson 1)

TASK TWO
To be completed in your exercise book.

Themes
The following are some of the themes of Act 1 Scene 1/2, as suggested by the groups that presented in class:
1. Love’s excesses & foolishness
2. Passion’s conflict with reason
3. Tyrannical parenting
4. Male domination
5. Difficulties in love
6. Magic & dreams (fantasy)
7. Love’s unfairness/irrational love
8. Young love
9. Gender discrimination
10. Freedom
11. Every man for himself
12. Love’s blindness

From the list above, choose FOUR themes that best represent the events in Act 1 Scene 1.
For each theme you have chosen, give TWO or more examples (events & quotes) to support the validity of the theme for this particular Act.
Remember to limit your evidence to events that take place ONLY in ACT 1.


Good Luck everyone!
Cheers
Ms. Nsa

LSN 1: 10&11 JANUARY 2008

Hi everyone.
For this week's online discussion, please view the following videos:








TASK ONE
Use the comments box to address the questions below:

Characterization
1. Compare the actresses who play the character Hermia in the two separate videos. Based on what you read in the play (Act 1 Scene 1), which actress in your opinion, portrays Hermia more effectively?
Explain and substantiate your responses in terms of:
- your knowledge of Hermia as a character
and
- what you liked and disliked about the actress's protrayal of Hermia

2. Compare the section in each video where Lysander tells Demetrius: "You have her father's love, Demetrius- Let me have Hermia's. Do you marry him."
Comment on the tone that each 'Lysander' uses. Which actor in your opinion, manages to portray Lysander's emotions more effectively? How is this actor more effective? In your response, please indicate clearly which video clip you are referring to.



Take note:
1. I will log-in periodically to view your responses. I may add-on to your comments or clarify what is not clear. I will also be on the look out for the best/most thought-provoking response to posed questions.
2. Use your real name and class when making your responses.
3. If you disagree with a comment made, you may respond- in a civilized manner.
4. No cursing, swearing, slandering allowed. No spamming either. Consequences will be dire.

Please visit regularly to read and/or comment on your classmates responses.
Good luck everyone! Here's to a fruitful discussion :)

Cheers
Ms. Nsa

WELCOME!

To all my ELITE Sec 3 CCHMS ELit students :)

This blog is a platform for discussions and illuminating discursives on Mr. William Shakepeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Please use your real name when posting or replying to queries and especially when participating in discussions. And, seeing as this IS an academic-content blog- please use Standard English in abundance :)

I will update this blog regularly- I hope *fingers crossed* :)

Cheers
Ms.Nsa