People of Salem
This young woman is the leader of the girls who make accusations of witchcraft.
Who is Abigail Williams?
This young woman is in love with Lysander but is told by her father she must marry Demetrius.
Who is Hermia?
The strange behavior of Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam leads to these initial suspicions.
What is witchcraft?
This mischievous sprite is Oberon's servant and causes much confusion.
Who is Puck (or Robin Goodfellow)?
Both plays explore the power of this to influence events and perceptions.
What is language (or words)?
This respected farmer struggles with his conscience after a past sin.
Who is John Proctor?
This man initially loves Hermia but his affections are magically switched to Helena.
Who is Demetrius?
Abigail claims this animal attacks her spirit in court.
What is a yellow bird?
This is the queen of the fairies who has a quarrel with her husband.
Who is Titania?
While one is literal and one is metaphorical, both plays depict a form of this social phenomenon.
What is hysteria?
This minister is initially brought to Salem to investigate witchcraft but later doubts the accusations.
Who is Reverend Hale?
This woman laments that "the course of true love never did run smooth."
Who is Helena?
Mary Warren eventually confesses that the girls' accusations are this.
What is pretense (or lies)?
Puck puts a donkey's head on this weaver.
Who is Bottom?
The struggle to maintain this is central to John Proctor's internal conflict and Helena's desires.
What is reputation (or love)?
This elderly man is pressed to death for refusing to name his sources.
This runaway couple flees to the woods to escape Athenian law.
Who are Lysander and Hermia?
To save his wife, John Proctor confesses to this "crime."
What is adultery?
The love potion is made from the juice of this flower.
What is "love-in-idleness"?
Both sets of characters grapple with the consequences of actions taken under the influence of strong emotions or this.
What is magic (or fear/revenge)?
This character is accused of witchcraft partly due to her possession of poppets.
Who is Elizabeth Proctor?
Oberon orders Puck to put a love potion in the eyes of this Athenian man.
Who is Demetrius?
This legal document, signed by many accused, is torn up by Proctor.
What is his confession?
This is the specific task Puck is supposed to perform on the eyes of the Athenian man who loves Hermia.
What is to put the potion on his eyelids so he will love Helena?
The contrast between appearance and reality is a key element in the accusations in Salem and the magical transformations in the Athenian woods, highlighting this literary device.
What is irony?