MSND: Act1 Flashcards
How does the audience see marriage and how has Shakespeare illustrated this in the act
Marriage is arranged in order to maintain and preserve family status and rank. The fathers choice, a woman being seen as a valuable commodity, the “ virgin patent”. Dynamically, marriages are arranged to create offspring to carry the name and honor of the family through the generations, the “ rose distilled” over which the father and husband have authority.
Explain the metaphor of the two roses
Theseus uses the metaphor of a rose to represent Hermia’s youth and beauty. On the one hand it refers to the,” earthier happy “ , contented, fulfilled “ rose distilled” into perfume,, its beauty scent and essence. This is the potential of Hermia marrying- her beauty will live through her children and she will have a satisfying life in this way. His diction is admiring, suggesting that this is a better choice by making it particularly unappealing. He compares Hermia being a nun to the, “ rose withering” on the thorn, fading, loosing beauty, being unhappy, lonely, and unfulfilled with only their virtue as their , “ single blessedness “
Who is Hermia referring to as,”his lordship”
She is referring to Demetrius.
what is relevant about Hermia’s character in this extract
She is courageous but determined, “made bold” and made loyal to Lysander, refusing to marry Demetrius. She is brave, liking to face the worst that may befall her, the consequences for her choice
What is the effectiveness of the word ‘cold’ in the phrase, “the cold fruitless moon”
The cold fruitless moon is Diana, the goddess of chastity. While a virtuous choice to become a nun, it is lonely, joyless, beaten and fruitless life (no children). It is meant to be discouraging. The moon here is barren, aloof, lifeless and unappealing, while the moon in his earlier reference is approaching, bring love, joy and marriage. He is excited and impatient seeing the ion as tedious and a delay.
What three options does Theseus give to Hermia if she doesn’t marry Demetrius
He says that she can: marry Demetrius, be killed or become a nun.
