Egæus expresses horror and regret throughout the story. Is he responsible for his actions? Is he a sympathetic character?

Compare and contrast Egæus’s obsession with the other mental pursuits mentioned in the story, such as daydreaming and religious meditation.

Discuss the role of dreams and trances in this story. Are there moments when it is uncertain whether something is real or imagined? How does this relate to the condition of the human mind before birth or after death?