Farewell, sweet playfellow refers to

Analyze the question: The phrase comes from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1, Scene 1. The question asks who the "sweet playfellow" is, meaning the person being addressed, not the speaker.

Concept: Hermia and Lysander have just decided to elope to escape Egeus's demand that Hermia marry Demetrius. Before leaving, Hermia says goodbye to her childhood friend, Helena:

> "Farewell, sweet playfellow. Pray thou for us, > And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius! > Keep word, Lysander..."

Solution:

• The speaker is Hermia, so B is wrong, because she is the one saying farewell.
• Lysander is her lover and is addressed separately ("Keep word, Lysander"), so D is wrong.
• Demetrius is the man Helena loves, so he is mentioned in the wish and is not the playfellow. A is wrong.
• "Playfellow" means a childhood companion. Helena and Hermia grew up together, as Helena recalls later in the play: "We, Hermia, like two artificial gods…". The playfellow is therefore Helena.

Correct answer: C. Helena

Tip: In quote questions, first work out who is speaking and who is being spoken to. "Playfellow" signals a childhood friendship, and in this play that is Helena and Hermia.