A Midsummer Night's Dream - California Shakespeare Theater
A Midsummer Night's Dream - California Shakespeare Theater
A Midsummer Night's Dream - California Shakespeare Theater
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SEEING THE PLAY: BEFORE AND AFTER<br />
“How now, spirit! Whither wander you?”<br />
-Puck, Act 2, scene 1<br />
Consider the following questions before and after the show.<br />
BEFORE Viewing the Play AFTER Viewing the Play<br />
What to watch for:<br />
Look for how all three groups of<br />
characters intertwine in the story.<br />
How are they all getting their<br />
hearts’ desires?<br />
How does magic help the lovers?<br />
How are the fairies being<br />
portrayed?<br />
How is the audience asked to use<br />
their imagination to create the<br />
world of this play?<br />
Look for moments that you<br />
recognize in modern life: Are the<br />
characters acting like people would<br />
today? Why or why not?<br />
Is <strong>Shakespeare</strong> trying to say something about<br />
how humans behave by using the fairies as he<br />
does? Do the fairies represent something about<br />
human nature?<br />
What do the mechanicals seem to mean in this<br />
play?<br />
Did the setting and costumes of the characters<br />
make sense to you?<br />
Which of the characters do you like the best?<br />
Why?<br />
Do you believe in fate? Or can people make their<br />
own destiny? Explain.<br />
What kind of picture do you think <strong>Shakespeare</strong> is<br />
trying to paint?<br />
Did you recognize any parts of this story from<br />
modern movies or books, or your own life?<br />
See the “Write Your Own Critique” page in the Activity Appendix for more ideas about what to watch<br />
for, and how to write about your reactions after the show.<br />
A MiDSuMMer NiGht’S DreAM OVERVIEW<br />
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