A midsummer Night’s Dream Mythological and Historical References

#1 Greek mythology

Theseus Mythical son of Greek god and goddess Founder and King of Athens Social reformer; changed the social order Created unity

Hippolyta Queen of the Amazons Amazons = a race of female warriors Boarded Theseus’s ship with gifts during a visit Kidnapped by Theseus and forced to marry him

#2 Roman mythology

Pyramus and thisbe Lovers Forbidden to marry by parents Live in connected houses and whisper through crack Arrange to meet at Ninus’s tomb under a mulberry tree

What happened? Thisbe arrives, sees a lion with a bloody mouth, flees Leaves behind her veil, which lion mutilates Pyramus arrives, sees veil, assumes Thisbe is dead Kills himself by falling on his sword His blood splashes on the white mulberries and stains the fruit dark.

#3 Elizabethan culture

Midsummer Night When: Why: to celebrate… Summer Solstice June 23 Longest day of the year Why: to celebrate… Pleasant weather Agriculture Changing seasons Easy living Leisure

Looks Like… Debauchery Revelry Alcohol Partying Fertility Hanky-panky

A Brief Explanation of the Plot The Fairies The Wedding The Lovers The Players