2.  What is known about Shakespeare's private life?

3.  In what year did Shakespeare build his own theatre? Who did he build it with and what was it called?

4.  How many plays did Shakespeare write?

5.  Why were Shakespeare's plays not widely read at the time they were written?

6.  When was the first theatre constructed in London? What was it called?

7.  What caused the closure of playhouses during Shakespeare's time?

8.  What did it cost to see a Shakespeare play?

9.  Why did boys perform the role of female characters in Shakespeare's plays?

10.  How were the performers of Shakespeare's plays costumed?

11.  What was the connection between William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth?

What pattern is there in the way that the characters speak?

2.  cast the play with well known actors, characters or celebrities – explain your choices.

3.  Tweet a summary of each scene hashtagging the themes (or key ideas)

4.  Find key quotes about 'Love’s difficulty', 'magic', 'foolishness' and 'dreams.

2. How does Lysander's language change after he takes the love potion?

3. How does Helena react to Lysander's words?

4. How does Hermia feel when she wakes up? What evidence of this is in the language she uses?

Bonus question: find the stories behind each of the characters' names

Hermia: is named after the Greek god Hermes who is also son of Zeus. Hermes is the messenger and traveler god.

Demetrius : is named after the god of harvest and seasons Demeter, sister of Zeus.

Lysander: was a Spartan admiral who commanded the Spartan fleet in the Hellespont which defeated the Athenians at Aegospotami in 405 BC.

Hamza

2. How do the actors seem to regard Bottom in general?

3. How would you describe Titania's use of language in this scene?

2. What does Puck mean when he says "senseless things will begin to do them wrong" in line 28?

3. Puck notes that "two will at once woo one" in line 118. What does he mean by this and what is his attitude to this situation?

4. In a table compare Demetrius' language at the beginning of the play with that at the end. Use metalanguage to describe the literary devices where possible.

5. What poetic devices do Lysander and Demetrius use to insult Hermia? What is the effect of these?

2. What positive qualities does Oberon show in the end of the scene (from line 345, after Puck has given Demetrius the love potion)?

3. Oberon describes the black fog in great detail; why is this?

4. Do you think Puck enjoys insulting the Athenians? Find evidence of this.

5. Puck's final speech in A3S2 sounds like a nursery rhyme, do you think Shakespeare intended for this? Explain.

If you finish early, find quotes and plot points relating to love in the play.

What message do you think Shakespeare is making on love? Do you agree with him? (explain)

2. Why do you think Bottom's Dream speech has received critical acclaim in literature?

2. Think of a ridiculous metaphor, simile or analogy.

1. Why does Theseus dismiss the young lovers’ stories?

2. How is the happy mood of the weddings emphasised?

3. Why does Theseus choose Pyramus and Thisbe?

4. What does hard-handed men mean?

5. Why does Philostrate criticise the play?

6. What do lovers, madmen and poets have in common?

* costumes should add meaning to character

* set should add meaning to situation and geographic and temporal settings. You can project the setting on the board and use tables and chairs creatively.

* no backs to the audience!

* speak clearly and loudly. Try to remember your lines.

* use the stage space well. Don't all stay in one corner.