Act I-A Midsummer Night's Dream

What are Theseus and Hippolyta discussing as the play's start?

• The are planning a party for the King.

• They are discussing their wedding, which is supposed to take place in four days' time.

• They are debating politics.

• They are discussing the relative merits of the different gods.

How does Hippolyta come to be betrothed to Theseus?

• He has defeated her in battle and won her hand in marriage as a peace settlement or perhaps as the spoils of victory.

• Their fathers made an agreement at their births that they would marry.

• Theseus kidnapped her as revenge against her father.

• They had both received messages from Aphrodite, say that they should wed.

Why is Egeus disturbed?

• He thinks he is paying too much in dowry offerings.

• He wanted to be named assistant to Theseus.

• His wife is angry and is threatening to leave him.

• He wants his daughter, Hermia to marry Demetrius, but she loves and desires to marry Lysander.

What will be Hermia's fate if she refuses to marry Demetrius?

• She will become a servant in her father's house.

• She will be banished to the wilderness.

• She will have to choose to die or live as a cloistered nun,

• She will be blinded and driven off to live as a beggar.

To what do Lysander and Hermia agree?

• She will do as her father asks, but poison Demetrius soon after the marriage. Then she will marry Lysander.

• They will stand together and defy her father.

• They will go to the temple, make offerings to the Gods, and ask for their help.

• They will meet the next night in the woods and escape to Lysander's aunt's house to be married.

What hopes does Helena have by telling Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia's flight?

• She anticipates the sweet pain of following him to and from the appointed wood while he pursues Hermia.

• She expects a monetary reward from Egeus for stopping Hermia,

• She is jealous and wants to get Hermia inn as much trouble as possible.

• She wants Lysander to marry her instead.

Who are the character's in Act I, Scene II, and what do they plan?

• They are wedding guests, planning what to wear and where to sit.

• They are the bride's friends, planning on what kind of gifts to give her.

• They are six craftsmen of Athens who plan to perform the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby as an entertainment to honor the duke's wedding day.

• They are thieves, planning to rob everyone at the wedding.