A Midsummer Night’s Dream RJ Discussion A Midsummer Night’s Dream

let’s discuss What initial conflict(s) propel the story of the plot forward? How? A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a farce. What archetypical elements of a farce exist in this play? Relationships rule this play. How do the complex relationships that Shakespeare create add to the humor of the production? How does the character of Hermia contrast with the character of Helena? Lysander versus Demetrius? How does play’s structure match the content? What literary techniques does Shakespeare use and how do said techniques contribute to the characterization/structure/theme/etc.?

let’s discuss some more How does Shakespeare manipulate language and format to distinguish between different characters/character groups? The imagery revolving around fertility is intense in this play (both naturally and intimately). How does Shakespeare shape this imagery and how does his use of it enhance emerging themes? What are some of the transformations in the play? Consider both literal transformations as well as figurative ones. What role does “dreaming” play in the production? Not just at the surface, but at a metaphysical level as well. In Act V, viewers are watching an audience watch a play that is like the play they are watching as an audience. What does this parallelism suggest? What function does the "play within a play" serve? Are there parallels between the stories of Pyramus and Thisbe and of the Athenian lovers? Do Bottom and company exist only for comic relief, or do they convey a more serious message? How does the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream come “full circle” by the end?