A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Comedy vs. Tragedy Tragedy Begins quietly and ends with horror Individual is the focus with death as the end result Tragedy Begins quietly and ends with horror Individual is the focus with death as the end result Comedy Begins with conflict and ends in peace Community is the focus with a celebration of life and community as the end result

Exposition: Act 1 Duke Theseus and Hyppolita are on the eve of their wedding in the city of Athens. Theseus is summoned to determine a dispute between Aegeus and his daughter Hermia. Hermia wants to marry Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius Duke Theseus and Hyppolita are on the eve of their wedding in the city of Athens. Theseus is summoned to determine a dispute between Aegeus and his daughter Hermia. Hermia wants to marry Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius

Love/ Hate Relationships Duke Theseus Hyppolita Hermia Lysander Helena Demetrius Oberon Titania Duke Theseus Hyppolita Hermia Lysander Helena Demetrius Oberon Titania

The Rude Mechanicals »Lower middle class workers (artisans, tradesmen) »By the Elizabethan era, these common workers could work/buy their way into gentleman status »In MSND they perform the play of Pyramus and Thisbe for Theseus’ wedding in the hopes of making a name for themselves »Lower middle class workers (artisans, tradesmen) »By the Elizabethan era, these common workers could work/buy their way into gentleman status »In MSND they perform the play of Pyramus and Thisbe for Theseus’ wedding in the hopes of making a name for themselves

Midsummer’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, May Day V- Day and May day are referenced in the play. Both are holidays associated with coupling and love/infatuation Midsummer’s Eve is on June 23, the longest day of the year. It is one of the oldest holidays that dates back to pagan times. »fertility, courtship, and marriage. »Harvest, superstition and magic, dreams, outdoor festivities V- Day and May day are referenced in the play. Both are holidays associated with coupling and love/infatuation Midsummer’s Eve is on June 23, the longest day of the year. It is one of the oldest holidays that dates back to pagan times. »fertility, courtship, and marriage. »Harvest, superstition and magic, dreams, outdoor festivities

Literary Devices »Allusion- Greek and Roman mythology (example: moon references) »Imagery- nature and supernatural »Dramatic Irony- the audience has information that certain characters do not have »Allusion- Greek and Roman mythology (example: moon references) »Imagery- nature and supernatural »Dramatic Irony- the audience has information that certain characters do not have

Language »Very lyric, song-like and poetic »Blank verse-unrhymed iambic pentameter ( 10 syllables per line alternating stressed, unstressed); spoken by the nobles »Couplets- two rhyming lines often spoken by the lovers (couple=couplet) »Prose- spoken by characters of low stature i.e. the rude mechanicals »Very lyric, song-like and poetic »Blank verse-unrhymed iambic pentameter ( 10 syllables per line alternating stressed, unstressed); spoken by the nobles »Couplets- two rhyming lines often spoken by the lovers (couple=couplet) »Prose- spoken by characters of low stature i.e. the rude mechanicals

Themes »Complexities of LOVE »Dream and imagination »Opposites : city /woods; waking/sleeping; night/day; sight and blindness; reality /illusion »Complexities of LOVE »Dream and imagination »Opposites : city /woods; waking/sleeping; night/day; sight and blindness; reality /illusion