A Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.12 Animated Note: Cowslip Pensioners

The transcript discusses the role of pensioners in the Royal Court of England, who served as an honor guard and wore elaborate clothing. It uses a fairy's imagination to depict cowslip flowers as the fairy Queen's honor guard, with yellow petals as coats and red dots as rubies. The fairy collects dewdrops to make earrings for the Guardsmen, reflecting a historical context where upper-class men, including Shakespeare, wore earrings.

What was the primary role of pensioners in the Royal Court?

• To act as the honor guard for the king or queen

• To serve as personal advisors to the king or queen

• To manage the financial affairs of the kingdom

• To entertain guests at royal banquets

In the fairy's imagination, what do the yellow petals of the cowslip flowers represent?

• The pensioners' coats

• The fairy Queen's crown

• The royal throne

• The queen's jewelry

What do the red dots on the cowslip leaves symbolize in the fairy's vision?

• Emeralds

• Sapphires

• Diamonds

• Rubies

What task is the fairy performing with the dewdrops?

• Watering the garden

• Creating a magical potion

• Cleaning the royal palace

• Decorating the guardsmen with pearl earrings

What fashion trend was common among upper-class men during Shakespeare's time?

• Sporting pearl earrings

• Donning colorful scarves

• Wearing large hats

• Carrying ornate walking sticks