English – Thursday 21st January

Today, we are going to focus on the second part of Act 1 which introduces us to another group of characters who are known as the “Mechanicals”. Below you have the following:

  1. A summary of this scene.
  2. The script for this scene.
  3. A cartoon version of this scene.
  4. A video clip of this whole scene being performed.

Please read and watch all 4 before attempting the questions and tasks below.

A summary of the scene:

Six local craftsmen from another part of Athens, who are also known as the “mechanicals’, meet to rehearse an amateur production of ‘The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe’. Their aim is to practice and perform the play as part of Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding day celebrations.

Peter Quince, a carpenter and the play’s director, hands out the parts to each of the actors but the talkative weaver Nick Bottom continually interrupts him with advice and direction. Bottom is very keen to find out what part he has, telling Quince to ‘Name what part I am for and proceed’. Quince gives Bottom the part of Pyramus, ‘a lover that kills himself’, and Bottom tells everyone how great he will be in the part and how he will ‘move storms’. Quince then goes on to give out the rest of the parts, with some of the other actors complaining. Bottom says that he also wants to play the heroine Thisbe because he can speak in a woman’s voice, and the lion because he can roar, but Quince tells him he can ‘play no part but Pyramus’, because it is the most important part.

Quince asks the mechanicals to meet for their next rehearsal in the woods so they can’t be overheard.

Here is the script for this part of the play (don’t worry about knowing every word!):

A cartoon strip of the scene:

A video clip of the scene:

Using these different resources, attempt the following questions and tasks:

Level 1

  1. Which character is supposed to be in charge of the play?
  2. Which character keeps interrupting and wants to play every character?

Level 2

  1. How does Quince deal with Bottom’s interruptions and ideas?
  2. What kind of character is Bottom and how does he behave?
  3. What impression do you get of the mechanicals? How would you describe them?

Level 3

  1. Act 1 introduces both the scene involving Theseus, Egeus, Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and the scene containing the mechanicals. Both are set in the court of Athens. How are the two scenes different?
  2. Why do you think that Shakespeare placed these scenes next to each other in Act 1?
  3. Why do both the lovers and the mechanicals decide to go into the woods? Why might this be important later in the play?

You should spend between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes on this.

36 thoughts on “English – Thursday 21st January

  • 21st January 2021 at 9:59 am
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    1. Quince
    2. Bottom
    3. He just says that he is Pyramus
    4. He’s a mischievous character
    5. I don’t know
    6.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 10:18 am
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      Hello Kiran

      The short answers are fine for questions 1 and 2 but from then on you need more detail and thought.

      For question 3 you are right about what Quince says but how does he say it and how does he act towards Bottom?

      I agree with you on question 4 – Bottom is mischievous amongst other things. Can you go into more detail?

      You need to think about question 5 onwards. Don’t give up and spend time looking at the scene again. Think about how this group of actors come across to you.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:05 am
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    Level 3
    1) One scene was about love and the other was about a play
    2) Mabye to make it seem similar or because the two scenes could be linked somehow
    3) They want to go to the woods to live together and to reherse without anyone seeing them

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 10:13 am
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      Hello Franek

      Question 1 – They are definitely about different things. In what other ways are he scenes different? How do the characters in each screen seem different?
      Question 2 – Are the scenes similar or are they very different? If so, how? I like your comment about there being a link. What is the thing that happens at the end of each scene?
      Question 3 – Both sets of characters are now in the woods. Why is this important?

      Feel free to look at Level 1 and 2 as well. They are not necessarily easier, they just involve different reading skills.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
      • 21st January 2021 at 2:00 pm
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        One group is mostly in love with one another and here they are actors
        The scenes are different but they are linked by the fact that they are both going into the woods a mile without the town
        Mabye because they’re there together and they might argue about the lovers looking at the mechanics rehearsing

        Reply
        • 21st January 2021 at 6:28 pm
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          We will find out soon!

          Reply
      • 21st January 2021 at 4:26 pm
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        English level one

        1. Quince is supposed to be in charge of the play

        2. Bottem want do play every character and he keep interupting

        Reply
        • 21st January 2021 at 6:20 pm
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          Well done.

          Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:12 am
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    English
    Level1
    1.the character in charge of the play is the Quince.
    2.the character who wants to play every play is nick bottom.
    Level2
    1.Quince deals with bottoms inturruption
    by telling him what play he has been chosen to do and called him bear face.
    2.Bottom is a character who feels like he can do everything at once and his behaviour he clearly doesn’t care about it.
    3.The mechanicals are impressions are ungrateful for what play that they got. altogether I describe them non caring trouble makers.
    Level3
    1.there different because they don’t live at the same place there different because they all have different behaviour and they is no women at the mecanical’s.
    2.because he wanted to.
    3.because the lovers ran away and the mecanical’s are going to Athens so it’s a journey. It’s important because they are going to be doing a play in the court of athens for hermia’s wedding but she ain’t there for she loves lyslander not demitrius.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 10:41 am
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      Hello Michael

      This is a good response and it shows that you have begun to grasp many parts of this scene.
      For level 3, think more about question 2 – Why did Shakespeare put these scenes together? They are very different – Scene 1 is very serious and about the lovers’ dilemma whilst the mechanicals’ scene is a group of pretty bad actors. What effect does it have on the reader by putting them together?

      For question 3, don’t forget that the wedding the mechanicals are doing a play for is between Theseus and Hippolyta.

      Keep up the good work.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:17 am
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    English
    level 1 level 3
    1.Quince 1.Theres different people in the scenes.
    2.Bottom 2.To make it intresting to see the people meet.
    level 2 3.Themechanicals might catch the lovers.
    1.He tells him he can only be Pyrimis.
    2.He act’s like a child.
    3.That there not very good actors because all that bottom, and the others want to be a certain part or all of the parts.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 10:27 am
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      Hello George

      There are some great thoughts here and you begin to show a good understanding of this scene.
      You have a good awareness that the mechanicals as a group are perhaps not the best of actors. Bottom is definitely were child-like. How does Quince behave towards him?

      For the level 3 questions, I like the fact that you are thinking about how these two very different groups might meet. They are both going to the woods after all.

      How else are these two scenes different? Think about how each scene feels. Are they the same?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 12:33 pm
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      Level 1
      1) Peter Quince
      2) Nick Bottom

      Level 2
      3)He tells him what play he has been chosen to do
      4)He is Annoying and He thinks he knows it all he behaves selfishly
      5)They are troublemakers and act very jealous about of peoples parts

      Level 3
      6)The Characters are portrayed in different ways in each scene showing different sides to the characters
      7) To show the different moods of the characters and test the actors abilities
      8) The lovers were running to the forest to leave Athens and achieve there plan and the mechanicals were going to Athens to do the play for Theseus wedding, It’s important that they met in the forest to understand the true meaning of the play

      Reply
      • 21st January 2021 at 2:46 pm
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        Hello Finlay

        Do you think that the mechanicals are good actors?

        You show a good understanding of the scene and have had a good go at the level 3 questions. How different are the two scenes we have looked a so far? How would the audience react to these two very different scenes being next to each other?

        Mr Bushell

        Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:34 am
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    English:

    Level 1
    1. Quince is meant to be in charge of the play
    2. Bottom is the one who keeps interrupting and wants to play all the characters

    Level 2
    1.Quince deals with bottoms problems by shouting and telling him “the only character you will play is Pyramus”
    2.bottoms type of character is a interrupting person and the way he behaviour is annoying
    3.I would describe the mechanicals as annoying and picky

    Level 3
    1.act 1 scene 1 is different to act 1 scene 2 because one is a play and the other is a court meeting
    2.I think he did that because they are both in the same place because they are building drama
    3.They did it in the wood because in the end they all get married

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 3:21 pm
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      Hello Jake

      Well done, you have some great responses here to each question and you show a really good understanding of this scene.

      For level 3 question 1, in what other ways are the scenes different? How do they come across as different to the audience?

      Keep up he good work.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:34 am
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    Level 1

    Which character is supposed to be in charge of the play? Peter Quince
    Which character keeps interrupting and wants to play every character? Nick Bottom

    Level 2

    How does Quince deal with Bottom’s interruptions and ideas? “You can play no part, but Pyramus!” He shouts at Bottom and doesn’t use Bottom’s ideas.
    What kind of character is Bottom and how does he behave? He is like a child but with a beard. He is silly and funny at the same time.
    What impression do you get of the mechanicals? How would you describe them? They want to play different parts of the play but Quince doesn’t let them. They are quiet but Bottom is loud.

    Level 3

    Act 1 introduces both the scene involving Theseus, Egeus, Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and the scene containing the mechanicals. Both are set in the court of Athens.
    How are the two scenes different? The mechanicals are not being romantic like the four lovers in Athens.
    Why do you think that Shakespeare placed these scenes next to each other in Act 1? Because the mechanicals do a play for everyone at the end.
    Why do both the lovers and the mechanicals decide to go into the woods? So no one can see them or find them.
    Why might this be important later in the play? They will all meet up eventually.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 3:26 pm
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      Hello Cody

      This is terrific, you show a really good understanding of the play and why these scenes are important.

      Do you think that the mechanicals are good actors?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 10:45 am
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    Level 1
    1. Which character is supposed to be in charge of the play?
    Peter Quince

    2. Which character keeps interrupting and wants to play every character?
    Nick Bottom

    Level 2
    1. How does Quince deal with Bottom’s interruptions and ideas?
    He lets the parts to him and at the end he gets convinced that he only has one part.

    2. What kind of character is Bottom and how does he behave?
    He is very active and he behaves like that he wants to what he thinks that he is good at.

    3. What impression do you get of the mechanicals? How would you describe them?
    I get an impression that something won’t go right and it looked like Snug was nervous to do his act.

    Level 3
    1. Act 1 introduces both the scene involving Theseus, Egeus, Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and the scene containing the mechanicals. Both are set in the court of Athens. How are the two scenes different?
    It is different that the lovers will plan in Athens to go to the forest as the Mechanicals will plan in the woods and go to Athens.

    2. Why do you think that Shakespeare placed these scenes next to each other in Act 1?
    Because these characters are also doing something so the lovers are not the only characters.

    3. Why do both the lovers and the mechanicals decide to go into the woods? Why might this be important later in the play?
    This will be important because not just the lovers are there, maybe king Oberon and Titania!

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 3:19 pm
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      Hello Hargun

      Well done, you have tried to give detailed answers to each question.

      For level 3 question 1, be aware that the mechanicals are also in Athens and are going to go to the woods to rehearse.

      I wonder if the two groups of characters will meet in the woods?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 11:51 am
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    Level 1 The man who play part of thisbe the man who play part of prymas kept interupting and wants to play every part

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 2:26 pm
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      Hello Abby

      What was the man’s name?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 12:04 pm
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    1. Quince
    2. Bottom
    3. The character bottom is is a pyramis
    4. The type of character Bottom is is mischievous

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 2:25 pm
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      Hello Talal

      Bottom is asked to play Pyramis but then wants to play every other character too!

      Have a go at level 2.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 12:38 pm
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    Level 1

    Peter Quince
    Bottom

    Level 2

    He tells Bottom he can only play the part of Pyramid

    I think Bottom is a little selfish and ignorant.
    Confused and unacceptable

    Level 3

    Confused and unadaptable

    There emotions and attitude

    Because the mechanicals will be performing in Athens

    So people can’t see what is happening in the play

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 2:39 pm
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      Hello Jayden

      You have identified the main characters in this group and show a good understanding of them.

      What are the main differences between this scene and the one involving Hermia and Lysander?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 12:54 pm
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    1. qwince
    2. the second answer is bottom
    3. they want to go to the woods thogher withiout getting caght by anyone

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 2:27 pm
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      Hello Imaobong

      Well done for identifying Quince and Bottom.

      Have a go at level 2.

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 1:28 pm
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    level 1english
    1,Quice
    2.bottom
    level 2
    1. he just says no you just play one part
    2.his character is pyramus and he behaves naughty
    3.my expression of the mechanicals are well bad(for beggining
    level3
    1.Thats beacuse Shakespear did it on purpouse so that they will meet
    2.?
    3.They gone in the woods beacuse they want to keep it as a suprise

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 3:09 pm
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      Hello Alex

      You show a good understanding of this scene. Do you think that the mechanicals are good actors?

      For level 3, question 2, think about the difference between the two scenes. What effect does this have on the audience?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 2:13 pm
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    level 1.

    1. Quince
    2. Nick bottom

    level 2.

    1. Quince deals with the intteruption.
    2. He is a character that does anything he likes.
    3. I describe them as silly people.

    Level 3.

    1. stuck on this one.
    2.mabye to make it more intresting.
    3. mabye they will get married in the forest.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 6:27 pm
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      Hello Timur

      Well done. Levels 1 and 2 show that you have a good awareness of this scene. Is Quince patient or angry when dealing with Bottom’s interruptions?

      For level 3 question 1, think about how the two groups within Athens that we have looked at are so different. Did the two scenes feel different?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 3:01 pm
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    level 1

    1. Peter quince is supposed to be in charge.

    2. Nick bottom the weaver wants to play every character.

    level 2

    1. Quince deals with bottoms interuptions by shouting at him to make him stop.

    2. Bottom is a silly character and behaves like the dumbest person I know (as he is).

    3. I describe the mechanicals as funny and sily.

    level 3

    1. In one of the scenes they are talking about whether Hermia should marry Demetrius or die. The other one is the mechanicals planning their play

    2. As they could have a specific role being next to eachother.

    3. They go into the woods for different reasons and it could be important later in the play as the lovers might follow the music of the play and might end up in athens.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 6:22 pm
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      Good work Owen, you clearly have a good understanding of this scene.

      For level 3 question 1, in what ways do the scenes feel different?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply
  • 21st January 2021 at 5:49 pm
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    English task – level two

    1. Quince ignores Bottom at the start of the scene but you can tell he is angry and by the end he shouts at him.

    2. Bottom is an annoying character and he act like a small child that doesn’t listen.

    3. I dont think they know what there doing.

    Reply
    • 21st January 2021 at 6:19 pm
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      Wow! Mia, I think you’ve summed this up perfectly.

      Why do you think they will be important to the play?

      Mr Bushell

      Reply

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