1. The Frog Prince By
David Mamet
To Laugh or Not to Laugh?

2. Meet the Writer 776 Build Background 776
Read the “Meet the Writer” text and note three details that may be important for understanding the play.
Build Background 776
Read the text and note two important pieces of information you learned.

3. Literary Perspectives 777
Read the text and define the literary term “archetype”.
List the archetypes you are aware of or where you have seen archetypes in other stories, novels, or movies.

4. Be sure to clearly state and defend your ideas.
Student Response
The Frog Prince
Read the play carefully and note the way the author uses the elements of drama to tell his version or interpretation of the classic tale.
Do you consider the play to be a comedy based on the definition provided in the textbook?
Be sure to clearly state and defend your ideas.
Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence from the text to support your response.

5. How to Start Read the entire play before forming your answer.
Review the textbook definitions of the important dramatic elements; especially comedy and tragedy.
Think about the specific events as well as the words and actions of the characters that SUPPORT your ideas.
Write your response in multiple paragraphs to demonstrate how you would organize your thoughts and ideas.

6. Quick Literary Questions
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
1. How did the Servingman change during the play?
2. How did the Peasant/Witch change during the play?
3. How did the Milkmaid change during the play?
4. How did the Prince change during the play?
Which character changed in the most significant ways in the play?
DYNAMIC characters change as a result of the events in the text.

7. Author’s Purpose Literary Questions
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
1. What was the author’s “point of view” concerning “true love”?
2. How did the author use language to communicate “humor” and “comedy” in the play?
3. What was the “life lesson” the author tried to share with the readers/audience of this play?
4. Why did the author end the play in the manner he did?
The author’s interpretation of the story conveys the theme.

8. Applying Your Skills Questions
Reading Focus #1-3 (Page 794)
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
1. In Scene 1, why does the prince refuse to give flowers to the
peasant woman?
*He believes the flowers are his because they are on Royal Land*
2. What offer does the milkmaid make to the prince? Does he
take the offer?
*She offers him a home with her fiancé. He refuses.*
3. Characters in myths and folk tales often undergo a
metamorphosis – a fantastic transformation, or change, from
one form to another. How does the prince change during the
course of the play?
*He goes from naïve prince to manipulative frog,
to considerate frog, back to prince*

9. Applying Your Skills Questions
Literary Focus #5-10 (Page 794)
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
5. ANALYZE – In what ways is the prince a round character – one
who grows and changes in the course of the play?
*The prince becomes less self-centered and more appreciative and understanding.
6. LITERARY PERSPECTIVES – What archetypal plot elements,
themes, or characters does the play contain? How does
Mamet defy our expectations of these archetypes?
*Characters: prince/frog, pure maid, peasant/witch, evil queen
*Plot: curse turns prince into frog, reversal of fortune
*Themes: the importance of true love, the importance of loyalty
*The archetypes defy our expectations in that the prince never achieves true love or otherwise “wins” in the end, and Bill’s loyalty to the prince is not rewarded.

10. Applying Your Skills Questions
Page 794
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
7. ANALYZE – At the end of the play, the prince asks the
peasant woman, “Don’t you think I was unduly punished?”
Do you agree? What point is Mamet making by having the prince
suffer harsh consequences for his actions?
*The prince’s punishment is too severe for his crime.
Mamet is demonstrating that life is not always fair.
8. COMPARE & CONTRAST – In what ways is this play similar to and different from a traditional comedy?
*The play possesses many characteristics of a comedy, such as conflict
and a flawed character who learns from his mistakes. However, the
ending does not restore the characters to their former happiness.

11. Applying Your Skills Questions
Page 794
Discuss the answers with your group and write a
complete and meaningful response for each question.
9. CONNECT – Does the play have a “happy ending”? What
effect does the play’s resolution have on you?
*No; the prince loses Bill, the fair Patricia, and his kingdom, and the milkmaid. The ending is unsettling.
10. ANALYZE – Theme is the insight about life that a literary
work conveys. What theme does Mamet explore?
What does the prince learn and what do we learn about life
from his experiences?
*Mamet explores themes of selflessness, loyalty, and life’s unfairness. The prince learns to accept his circumstances and discovers the value of loyalty.