The Lovers and Romance

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Lovers and Romance

1

Analyse how this extract from Demetrius’s speech from Act 1 Scene 1 shows his attitude towards Hermia.

DEMETRIUS Relent, sweet Hermia; and, Lysander, yield Thy crazed title to my certain right.

[2]

2

Analyse how this extract from Hermia and Helena’s speeches from Act 1 Scene 1 presents a romantic problem.

HERMIA HELENA I give him curses; yet he gives me love. O that my prayers could such affection move!

[2]

3

Analyse how Helena’s speech from Act 2 Scene 1 presents her feelings of unrequited love.

HELENA Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me, Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave, Unworthy as I am, to follow you.

4

Analyse how Lysander’s speech from Act 2 Scene 2 shows his love for Hermia.

LYSANDER I mean that my heart unto yours is knit So that but one heart we can make of it; Two bosoms interchanged with an oath; [3]

[3]

5

Analyse how this extract from Act 3 Scene 2 presents the changes in Demetrius and Helena’s relationship due to Puck’s love spell.

DEMETRIUS [Waking] O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne? Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe in show Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! [...] HELENA O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent To set against me for your merriment.

[4]

6

Compare how these extracts from Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 3 Scene 2 present the relationship between Lysander and Hermia. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.

LYSANDER There gentle Hermia, may I marry thee [...] And in the wood, a league without the town (Where I did meet thee once with Helena To do observance to a morn of May), There will I stay for thee. HERMIA My good Lysander! I swear to thee by Cupid’s strongest bow, By his best arrow with the golden head, By the simplicity of Venus’ doves,

LYSANDER Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose, Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent! HERMIA Why are you grown so rude? what change is this, Sweet love? LYSANDER Thy love? Out, tawny Tartar, out! Out loathed medicine! O hated poison, hence! [6]