by William Shakespeare
SCENE II. The Same. A Room in a Cottage
Enter QUINCE, SNUG, BOTTOM, FLUTE, SNOUT and STARVELING.
QUINCE.
Is all our company here?
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The Metamorphoses
by Ovid
BOOK THE FIFTH.
FABLE I.
While Perseus is continuing the relation of the adventures of Medusa, Phineus, to whom Andromeda has been previously promised in marriage, rushes into the palace, with his adherents, and attacks his rival. A furious combat is the consequence, in which Perseus gives signal proofs of his valor. At length, perceiving himself likely to be overpowered by the number of his enemies, he shows them the head of the Gorgon; on which Phineus and his followers are turned into statues of stone. After this victory, he takes Andromeda with him to Argos, his native city, where he turns the usurper Prœtus into stone, and re-establishes his grandfather Acrisius on the throne.
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Question
Use the passages to answer the question.
How does Shakespeare’s diction differ from Ovid’s in the treatment of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe?
(1 point)
Responses
Ovid uses diction that draws attention to the story’s humor.
Ovid uses diction that draws attention to the story’s humor.
Ovid turns the story into a play.
Ovid turns the story into a play.
Shakespeare uses diction that draws attention to the story’s humor.
Shakespeare uses diction that draws attention to the story’s humor.
Shakespeare writes the story using mostly exposition.
Shakespeare writes the story using mostly exposition.
1 answer
The correct response is:
Shakespeare uses diction that draws attention to the story’s humor.
In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Shakespeare incorporates a comedic and playful tone, especially in the way the characters interact and present the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. This contrasts with Ovid's more serious and dramatic narrative style in "Metamorphoses." In Shakespeare's version, the exaggerated and clumsy interpretations of the characters add humor to the overarching story.
