Question

How does Shakespeare transform sources in A Midsummer Night's Dream? Question 8 options:

a) He uses the already existing play "Pyramus and Thisby" in a new way, making it a source of comedy instead of tragedy.


b) He uses the aristocratic characters, normally shown as serious during this time period, and reveals them as comedic to the audience.


c) He first wrote his play Romeo and Juliet, and then he took his own idea, changed it, and invented the story of "Pyramus and Thisby" to use in A Midsummer Night's Dream.


d) He combined the aristocracy, the day workers, and the magical world of fairies all into one play, an idea that had never been done before this time, as aristocracy didn't like to see themselves portrayed on stage with characters of lower class.

Answer 1

a) He uses the already existing play "Pyramus and Thisby" in a new way, making it a source of comedy instead of tragedy.

Answer 2

Shakespeare's drama is shaped by the influence of many literary works, including Ovid's "Metamorphoses" of course. Shakespeare had the characters of his plays watch a theatrical representation, a play within the play. The tragedy of "Pyramus and Thisbe" is used in a new way. The group is to perform the "Most LAmentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe". The source is made a comedy instead of a tragedy.