Read “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare (1506) and answer the following questions:

1. Why does Oberon cure Titania of her infatuation with Bottom? How does the relationship between Oberon and Titania change? How is this change symbolized? Why is it significant?

2. How are the relationships among the four lovers straightened out? How does each explain his or her feelings? What does Theseus decide about the couples? Why is this significant?

3. What momentous event occurs offstage and is briefly reported in Act 5?

4. Describe Pyramus and This by. What blocks their relationship? How do they plan to circumvent these obstructions? What happens to them?

5. What is the significance of the fairy masque (a combination of poetry, music, dance, and drama) that ends the play?

6. What does Puck’s epilogue suggest about you as a reader or spectator? How does it reinforce the connections among dreaming, imagination, illusion, and drama?