-1A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare
Context Question I

Given below is an extract from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Read the excerpt
carefully and answer ALL questions that follow on the next page.
Do not refer to the play for answers.

Context

EGEUS Full of vexation come I, with complaint 1

Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord,
This man hath my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander. And, my gracious Duke, 5
This man had bewitched the bosom of my child.
Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes
And interchanged love-tokens with my child;
Thou hast by moonlight at her iwndow sung,
With feigning voice, verses of feigning love, 10
And stol’n the impression of her fantasy
With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gauds, conceits,
Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats - messengers
Of strong prevalent in unhardened youth.
With cunning hast thou filched my daughter’s heart, 15
Turned her obedience, which is due to me,
To stubborn harshness. And, my gracious Duke,
Be it so she will not here before your Grace
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:
20
As she is mine, I may dispose of her,
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case.

THESUEUS What say you, Hermia? Be advise, fair maid. 25

To you your father should be as a god;
One that composed your beauties - yea, and one
To whom you are but as a form of wax
By him imprinted, and within his power
To leave the figure of disfigure it. 30
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.
Questions
1. Where does this scene take place? [1]
2. What is the mood of Egeus? Support your opinion by reference to the passage.[2]
3. What is the attitude of Egeus towards Thesus? Show how this is reflected in his
speech. [2]
4. Does Theseus appear to support or disapprove of Egeus’ plea here? Support your
opinion by reference to what he says. [2]
5. Name another occasion later in the play when Egeus behaves in a similar manner.

[2]
6. How is Theseus’ response different on this later occasion? [1]
7. What question does Hermia ask Theseus soon after this passage? [1]
8. What answer does Theseus give to Hermia’s question and how does Hermia react?

[3]
9. Name two arguments Lysander uses later in this scene to defend his right to marry
Hermia. [2]
10. What does Egeus think about Lysander and the way in which he has gained his
daughter’s love? How is his attitude reflected in his choice of words? Quote four
examples from his speech to support your views.
[4]

Information

Duration: 1 hour
Adapted: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Robert Wilks
Date Written: 2nd August 2008, Saturday
Credits: By Shawn