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Why does Helena struggle to believe Lysander when he declares his love for her?
She believes he is mocking her.
What mistake does Puck make with the magical flower?
Puck mistakenly enchants Lysander instead of Demetrius.
How does Titania suggest that Oberon and Titania's conflict is affecting the natural world?
She describes unnatural weather and disrupted seasons. Their personal conflict seems to have consequences for the wider natural world, connecting the fairies' emotions with nature.
What does Oberon plan to do to Titania?
He plans to use a magical flower whose juice causes a person to fall in love with the first living creature they see after waking.
Why does Oberon intend to use the magical enchanting flower on Titania?
He wants revenge for her refusal to go along with his plans with the boy Titania stole. In other words: to control her.
How does dramatic irony cause tension, humor, or both? Explain with an example from the text so far.
It creates a situation that the audience can anticipate. Example: Puck enchanting the wrong people with the flower.
What could the 'magical flower' suggest about Shakespeare's presentation of love?
(YOUR INTERPRETATION)
We can see love is irrational / unpredictable / uncontrollable / vulnerable
How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in Act II?
The audience knows Puck has made the mistake with the love potion.
Why is Puck's mistake with Lysander important to the plot?
It causes Lysander to fall in love with Helena instead of Hermia. This transforms the original conflict between Hermia, Lysander, Helena and Demetrius into a much more complicated love triangle.
Why does Shakespeare have the lovers enter the forest at this point in the play?
The forest is a scene where mythical and magical events can take place.
Why are Oberon and Titania arguing at the beginning of Act II?
They are fighting over a changeling boy whom Titania refuses to give to Oberon. Their argument reveals a struggle for power and control within their relationship.
Why is the forest important in Act II?
The forest is a space where the normal rules of Athens are disrupted. Magic, dreams, transformation and confusion become possible.
The forest is used in two contexts in this scene: one being a magical escape from reality with the use of magic. What's the other context?
A literal escape as the lovers attempt to get away from their everyday obligations and relationships.
When the audience knows something a character does not, what is the called?
Dramatic Irony
Why might Shakespeare deliberately make the events of Act II increasingly confusing for the audience?
It reinforces Shakespeare's focus on the concept of a dream.