William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream

Three Struggles that “turned the world upside down” Love Triangle Jealousy Pyramus and Thesbe

Athens

Summary 1.1 Lysander and Hermia plan to escape to the forest because Duke of Athens gave Hermia an ultimatum: Marry Demetrius or join a nunnary. 2.1 Demetrius follows Hermia while Helena follows Demetrius. Oberon decides to make Demetrius fall in love with Helena, but Puck messes up the devious scheme.

Forest

King and Queen of the Fairies 2.1 King Oberon is jealous of a young boy, who Queen Titania is enamored by. Oberon schemes a way to take the boy from her, by ordering Puck to find pansy juice that makes people fall in love with the person they see.

Queen Titania awakes and falls in love with Nick Bottom, a weaver Queen Titania awakes and falls in love with Nick Bottom, a weaver. Puck transforms him into an ass.

Pyramus and Thisbe CAST Nick Bottom, a weaver Peter Quince, a carpenter Francis Flute, a bellows mender Tom Snout, a tinker Snug, a joiner Robin Starveling, a tailor Significance of the play-within-a-play A comical response to Romeo and Juliet To show the tragedy that might have occurred if the fairies had not intervened To comment on the nature of reality versus theatre

Additional Resources http://www.foxsearchlight.com/midfinal/ http://www.ulen.com/shakespeare/plays/mnd/mnd_guide.html http://www.pathguy.com/mnd.htm