William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Life Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon (90 miles from London) Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon (90 miles from London) Educated at a local grammar school until age 14 Educated at a local grammar school until age 14 Married Anne Hathaway at age 19 Married Anne Hathaway at age 19 2 daughters, 1 son 2 daughters, 1 son Worked as a teacher Worked as a teacher Moved to London in late 1580’s Moved to London in late 1580’s Joined theatrical company in London and became a poet, actor, & playwright Joined theatrical company in London and became a poet, actor, & playwright Theatrical co. built the Globe Theater Theatrical co. built the Globe Theater Outdoor theater Outdoor theater Opened summer, 1599 Opened summer, 1599

Philosophy Renaissance Man Renaissance Man Used classical learning to develop an understanding of human nature Used classical learning to develop an understanding of human nature Able to express to the fullest the greatest joys & horrors of humanity Able to express to the fullest the greatest joys & horrors of humanity 16 th Century religious influences were apparent in his works 16 th Century religious influences were apparent in his works Divine forces shaped the world into a great chain of being Divine forces shaped the world into a great chain of being Elements of the universe were joined in an ordered system Elements of the universe were joined in an ordered system Harmony required that each element function properly in its specific sphere Harmony required that each element function properly in its specific sphere One element out of place=chaos One element out of place=chaos

Philosophy, cont. Order intended to prevail in ordinary human affairs Order intended to prevail in ordinary human affairs Marriage was the natural fulfillment & culmination of love. Marriage was the natural fulfillment & culmination of love. Lovers always marry b/c marriage is part of the natural order. Lovers always marry b/c marriage is part of the natural order. W/o bonds of marriage, social fabric unravels. W/o bonds of marriage, social fabric unravels. Saw life as a mixture of pain & laughter Saw life as a mixture of pain & laughter Comedies express zest for life & broad tolerance for youth’s delusions & follies. Comedies express zest for life & broad tolerance for youth’s delusions & follies. Tragedies & histories explore pain of defeat & loss, which results when order and balance in human affairs are overthrown. Tragedies & histories explore pain of defeat & loss, which results when order and balance in human affairs are overthrown.

Techniques Noted for sonnets, dramatic poetry, plays Noted for sonnets, dramatic poetry, plays Worked in blank verse Worked in blank verse unrhymed iambic pentameter unrhymed iambic pentameter 10 syllables/line 10 syllables/line Often used rhyming couplet to end a scene Often used rhyming couplet to end a scene Used puns, metaphors, soliloques, & asides Used puns, metaphors, soliloques, & asides Wrote & produced 37 dramas between 1590 & 1613 Wrote & produced 37 dramas between 1590 & 1613 Histories, comedies, & tragedies Histories, comedies, & tragedies

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Written in 1595 to celebrate an important wedding Written in 1595 to celebrate an important wedding 4 plots 4 plots Wedding of Theseus & Hippolyta Wedding of Theseus & Hippolyta Relationships of Hermia & Lysander, Helena & Demetrius Relationships of Hermia & Lysander, Helena & Demetrius The fairies The fairies Play performed by laborers Play performed by laborers Based on other literature including Chaucer’s “Knight’s Tale,” & Legend of Good Women, Plutarch’s Lives, & Ovid’s Metamorphoses Based on other literature including Chaucer’s “Knight’s Tale,” & Legend of Good Women, Plutarch’s Lives, & Ovid’s Metamorphoses

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Set mostly in the forest at night Set mostly in the forest at night Concerned with the effects of love upon the characters—both real & supernatural Concerned with the effects of love upon the characters—both real & supernatural Possible themes Possible themes Love is blind. Love is blind. Love is war. Love is war. Love mocks reason. Love mocks reason.

Cast of Characters: Theseus – Duke of Athens Theseus – Duke of Athens Hippolyta – marrying Theseus Hippolyta – marrying Theseus Philostrate – Master of the Revels Philostrate – Master of the Revels Puck – mischievous fairy Puck – mischievous fairy Oberon – king of the fairies Oberon – king of the fairies Titania – queen of the fairies Titania – queen of the fairies Lysander – loves Hermia Lysander – loves Hermia Demetrius – thinks he loves Hermia, but REALLY loves Helena Demetrius – thinks he loves Hermia, but REALLY loves Helena Hermia – Egeus’s daughter; loves Lysander Hermia – Egeus’s daughter; loves Lysander Helena – loves Demetrius Helena – loves Demetrius Egeus – Hermia’s father; wants her to marry Demetrius Egeus – Hermia’s father; wants her to marry Demetrius