In A Midsummer Night's dream, how many named roles are there? Also, how many named roles are female? Hint: it is found in the introduction of Shakespeare's books (Signet Classic).

lanfranco

Well, I'm sitting here with my Yale Shakespeare, and it looks as though 21 roles are named, and 4 are definitely female -- Hippolyta, Hermia, Helena, and Titania. However, it's not easy to figure out the gender of the named fairies -- Cobweb, Pease-Blossom, Moth, and Mustard-Seed, for example. I'd have to take a close look at the text. Aug 01 05, 4:37 PM

gmackematix

This is further confused by five of the rude mechanicals playing five further named roles in their play within a play, one of which, Thisbe, is female. Although Puck, with the name, Robin Goodfellow is ostensibly male, he is often traditionally played by an actress and the fairies are usually girls. At one time, Oberon was also usually a female part but not so much these days. To complicate things further, in some modern productions, Theseus/Oberon and Hippolyta/Titania are acted as dual roles to highlight the contrast between the real and dream worlds. In case you are wondering, Peasy, we had a female Puck in our production, a male Oberon and separate actors for Theseus, Oberon, etc and everyone did very well. Aug 01 05, 5:04 PM

lanfranco

Oh, wow, gmack. Is that the one with the blue bag and the green dress? I played Helena in a university production of MND and our Thisbe was played by a guy -- who has since become quite a successful actor. As I recall, he also did Quince, though I'm not sure about that. Our Oberon and Theseus were male, our Hippolyta and Titania female, and our fairies (ahem) were all over the map. Though Puck was male. Aug 01 05, 5:14 PM

gmackematix

No, I wore a yellow dress really. And matching wig with pigtails. Happily in my next play I don't need to curtsey. We have no famous actors yet although we have a girl who was an extra in Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, and our Theseus has written plays for BBC radio. Aug 01 05, 5:30 PM

princess9

I think I will alternate between Ian and Frankie, Ianfranco. You are correct! I wish I could give you a banana but peasy seems to have the entire stock. Aug 01 05, 5:45 PM

lanfranco

Ask her. She might be willing to give up a few. Aug 01 05, 6:49 PM

peasypod

I can let em go at a good price.... Aug 01 05, 9:34 PM

peasypod

Actually, gmack, last week when you said about me making a good Puck it makes oh so much more sense now. But I think I prefer being Pease-Blossom.... ;) Aug 02 05, 5:35 AM

princess9

Nice...I'd rather earn the bananas than give them away though.:)Where's the fun for me? Aug 02 05, 5:46 PM

lanfranco

Ah, but the price is that you earn them ... Aug 02 05, 5:57 PM

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