Discussion Questions (After two run-throughs)

Who are these guys?
How do you know (find quotes to support answers)?
What is going on here? How do you know (find quotes to support answers)?
Do they know each other? (either is possible and supportable by text—class must decide for purposes of performance later)
Who’s the boss of the group?
Why are they putting on this play?

Discussion Questions (After third run-through)

Who wrote this play they are going to perform?
1. Has Quince written it all himself? Is it an original story? Adapted?
2. What do Snug, Snout, Starveling, and Flute think of the play?
3. What do they think about the tension between Quince and Bottom?
  1. Is there are reason they’re fairly quiet during the scene?
4. Is Bottom a bully? A loudmouth? An egomaniac? A good actor who wants to help?
5. Is Snug stupid? What’s his deal?
6. Does Flute really want to be in the play? How do you know?
Any other comments about what’s going on here? Any other characteristics we want to use to define the characters we’ve met?
How is Shakespeare having fun with the audience? Think about who is playing the roles, what type of actor would have been on the stage, and the characters' names. Hint: Shakespeare loved puns/plays on words.