WorksheetsMidsummer Test
Total questions: 43
Worksheet time: 23mins
Which of the following are possible reasons why Shakespeare's work is still performed, read, and taught in schools around the world?
Because his works explore universal themes and human nature.
Because his plays are only relevant to people in England.
Because his language and storytelling have influenced literature and culture.
Because his works are required by law to be taught in every country.
Match each word invented by Shakespeare to its meaning:
a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else
Champion
speak or shout at length in a wild, impassioned way
Rant
a feeling of great surprise or wonder
Amazement
walk or behave in a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive way
Swagger
the joint between the forearm and the upper arm
Elbow
What is the Elizabethan English word for 'No'?
Nay
Yea
Aye
Verily
What is the Elizabethan English word for 'Maybe'?
Perchance
Anon
Hither
Fain
Which of the following is the correct Elizabethan English translation of the sentence: Curse you, boy! Why are you my enemy?
Avaunt, thou knave! Wherefore art thou mine adversary?
Begone, young sir! Dost thou oppose me thus?
Fie on thee, child! Why dost thou vex me?
Away with thee, boy! What cause hast thou to hate me?
What are the three ‘solutions’ Theseus gives to Hermia?
1. Marry Demetrius 2. Become a nun 3. Face death
1. Marry Lysander 2. Leave Athens 3. Become queen
1. Run away 2. Marry Lysander 3. Join the fairies
1. Become a servant 2. Marry Theseus 3. Live alone
Who is Theseus in the opening scene and which adjective best describes your first impression of him?
Athenian king; bossy
Athenian servant; quiet
Spartan warrior; shy
Athenian messenger; timid
Who is Hippolyta in the opening scene, and which adjective best describes your first impression of her?
Queen of the Amazons; quiet
Queen of the Amazons; bossy
Queen of the Amazons; timid
Queen of the Amazons; aggressive
Egeus in the opening scene can best be described as:
bossy and authoritative
quiet and shy
playful and humorous
indifferent and careless
Who is Hermia in the opening scene? Choose the best description and key adjectives.
A rebellious young woman, determined and passionate
A strict ruler, cold and distant
A comic character, foolish and clumsy
A wise elder, calm and patient
Who is Demetrius in the opening scene and which adjective best describes your first impression of him?
A young Athenian nobleman; bossy
A king; quiet
A fairy; mischievous
A servant; timid
Lysander in the opening scene can best be described as:
Bossy and aggressive
Romantic and determined
Quiet and shy
Indifferent and careless
Who is Helena in the opening scene and what are your first impressions of her? Choose the most appropriate set of adjectives.
Helena is a quiet and reserved character.
Helena is bossy and outspoken.
Helena is jealous and lovesick.
Helena is cheerful and carefree.
Draw a diagram illustrating who loves whom in the opening scene of the play. (In the opening scene of the play, we’re introduced to a love/relationship dilemma between 4 key characters.)
Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Hermia, Demetrius loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius.
Hermia loves Demetrius, Demetrius loves Helena, Lysander loves Hermia, Helena loves Lysander.
Hermia loves Helena, Lysander loves Demetrius, Demetrius loves Lysander, Helena loves Hermia.
Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Helena, Demetrius loves Hermia, Helena loves Lysander.
What does this interaction between Hermia and Theseus reveal about the relationship between fathers and daughters?
It shows that fathers have complete authority over their daughters.
It shows that daughters have more freedom than their fathers.
It shows that fathers and daughters are equals in decision-making.
It shows that daughters always disobey their fathers.
Who do you feel sympathy for in the opening scene? If possible, identify more than one character. Give a reason for your choice.
Hippolyta
Theseus
Lysander
Egeus
Hermia
Lysander comes up with a plan to:
Run away with Hermia to escape Athenian law
Challenge Demetrius to a duel
Ask Theseus for permission to marry Hermia
Convince Egeus to change his mind
Helena feels jealous of Hermia. Quote as proof.
"Through Athens I am thought as fair as she."
"I frown upon him, yet he loves me still."
"O, teach me how you look, and with what art you sway the motion of Demetrius' heart."
"The more I hate, the more he follows me."
Helena feels that love is difficult and unfair. Quote as proof.
'Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.'
'The course of true love never did run smooth.'
'I am your spaniel.'
'Lord, what fools these mortals be!'
What does Helena plan to tell Demetrius?
Helena plans to tell Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander's plan to run away.
Helena plans to tell Demetrius that she is leaving Athens.
Helena plans to tell Demetrius about a secret treasure.
Helena plans to tell Demetrius that Hermia loves him.
What are two emotions governing Helena's thoughts and actions?
Jealousy and desperation.
Joy and confidence.
Anger and pride.
Calmness and indifference.
The quote 'The course of true love never did run smooth' means that:
True love always faces challenges.
True love is always easy.
True love never has problems.
True love is predictable.
Who are 'The Mechanicals'?
A group of friends, who meet to discuss plays and poetry.
A group of professional actors hired to perform at the Duke's wedding.
Working men, hired to help with the Duke's wedding.
A group of amateur actors hoping to perform at the Duke's wedding.
How would you create this mood on stage, as a director?
By using lighting, sound, and actors' expressions
By ignoring the mood and focusing on dialogue
By removing all props and costumes
By having no actors on stage
What is your first impression of Bottom's character?
He is serious and thoughtful.
He is foolish and comical.
He is shy and reserved.
He is cruel and mean.
A quote from this scene which shows Bottom's personality:
'I will roar, that I will do any man's heart good to hear me.'
'The course of true love never did run smooth.'
'Lord, what fools these mortals be!'
'Though she be but little, she is fierce.'
Do you think Shakespeare wants the audience to like Bottom?
yes
no
When and where are The Mechanicals set to meet again?
The next night in the palace woods
The following morning at the town square
At midnight in the enchanted forest
At dawn in the village hall
The scene in which Titania meets Bottom is... (Check one and give a reason for your choice)
Serious
Funny
Sad
Gripping
Mysterious
Rank the following characters in terms of most to least power, in your opinion:
Demetrius
Theseus
Helena
Hippolyta
Egeus
Hermia and Lysander meet in secret to discuss their plans. What do they decide to do to avoid Egeus's wrath?
They will run away to Lysander's aunt's house.
They will plead with Theseus for leniency.
They will fake their own deaths.
They will seek refuge in a neighboring kingdom.
The play is set in Athens and the surrounding woods. What is the significance of the woods in Act I?
It is a place of danger and mystery.
It is a place of refuge and escape.
It is a place of magic and enchantment.
It is a place of celebration and revelry.
Oberon sends Puck to find a flower with magical properties. What happens when the flower's juice is applied to someone's eyelids while they sleep?
They fall into a deep sleep.
They forget their past loves.
They fall in love with the first person they see upon waking.
They gain the ability to see fairies.
Titania is attended by her fairy servants. They (a) for her as she prepares for sleep.
The love potion is a symbol of the unpredictable nature of love. What other elements in Act II contribute to the theme of love's unpredictability?
The changing seasons
The fairies' mischievous pranks
The characters' dreams and illusions
The conflict between Athens and the Amazons
Bottom is concerned that the ladies in the audience will be frightened by the lion in the Mechanicals' play. What solution does he propose to address this concern?
Remove the lion from the play
Have someone play the lion wearing a sign that says "I am not a lion"
Make an announcement before the play to reassure the audience
Replace the lion with a less scary animal
Oberon wants to correct Puck's mistake and restore order to the situation. What does he instruct Puck to do?
Gather more of the love potion flower.
Apologize to the Athenian lovers.
Create a fog to separate the lovers and reapply the potion correctly.
Wake up Titania and tell her the truth about Bottom.
Match the following characters with what they are looking for in the forest.
The mischievous fairies
Oberon and Titania
The lost Athenian lovers
Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus
The Mechanicals and their play
Bottom and his troupe
The magical flower
Puck
Who said this line:
"Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
But either it was different in blood—"
(a)
What happens after the other actors run away from the transformed Bottom?
Titania wakes up and falls in love with Bottom and his terrible singing
Bottom sees his face in a pool of water and is shocked
Oberon punishes Robin for his cruelty
Titania recoils in horror from Bottom's ugly face
Romeo and Juliet are the inspiration for Pyramus & Thisbe
True
False
Shakespeare wrote under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
True
False
