On Stage
ACT 1, SCENE 1
A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens with the Duke, Theseus, and his wife-to-be, Hippolyta, talking about their upcoming wedding. Egeus, Hermia’s father, enters at line 20, complaining about his daughter and making demands of the Duke.
- Read lines Act 1, Scene 1, lines 20-127. Describe what happens in this scene and which characters are involved.
- The scene quickly shifts from happiness to a more serious tone. Why do you think Shakespeare has done this?
- Read up to line 179. Who are the two characters and what do they decide to do?
- How does this decision impact the rest of the play?
CREATIVE WRITING:
Act 1, Scene 1 is set in motion after two characters are not allowed to do something they feel is right, because the rules of the world they live in declare it wrong.
Create a story outline for a fictional movie, play or novel. Make sure you do the following:
- Decide on a time period or setting for your story that is in a world with definite restrictions and rules
- Create two characters who are in a close relationship (could be partners, friends, brother and sister, etc.)
- Decide what these two characters want most in the world that goes against the rules of the world
- Decide whether the two characters fight the rule or agree to it
- What happens after this point?
- What could be a possible climax and ending for the story?
Choose one of the following moments in the story and write it in your chosen form:
- The moment the characters are told they would be going against the rules of their world if they do what they want to do
- The moment they either decide to fight against or agree to the rule
- A private moment between the two characters where they discuss why they want to break the rules of their society.
