Philostrate is

Analyzing the question: The question asks about the character Philostrate, who appears in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a popular WASSCE Literature-in-English text.

Concept: In the play, Philostrate is the Master of the Revels (Master of the Ceremonies) to Theseus, Duke of Athens. His job is to arrange entertainment and amusements for the Duke's court, especially for the wedding celebrations of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Working through it:

• In Act 1, Scene 1, Theseus tells Philostrate to "Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments" and to prepare festivities for the upcoming wedding.
• In Act 5, Scene 1, Philostrate presents Theseus with a list of possible entertainments. He recommends against the mechanicals' play, "Pyramus and Thisbe", saying it is not worth watching. Theseus insists on seeing it anyway.

Now we check each option:

• A. Clown of Hippolyta: Wrong. Philostrate serves Theseus, not Hippolyta, and he is not a clown.
• B. Duke's entertainer: Correct. He is the Duke's Master of the Revels, in charge of the Duke's entertainment.
• C. Fairy king's cuckold: Wrong. This is nonsense. Oberon is the fairy king, and Philostrate has nothing to do with him.
• D. Rival of Puck: Wrong. Puck (Robin Goodfellow) is Oberon's servant, and Philostrate is a human in the Athenian court, so they are not rivals.

Answer: The correct option is B. Duke's entertainer.

Exam tip: Match each character to their world. In this play there are three groups:

1. The court: Theseus, Hippolyta, Philostrate, Egeus
2. The lovers: Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, Helena
3. The fairies: Oberon, Titania, Puck
4. The mechanicals: Bottom, Quince, Flute, and others

Philostrate belongs with the court, so look for an answer linked to the Duke.