A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Historical Background Elizabethan Age: Queen Elizabeth I (born 1533, rules from 1558 to 1603) Catholic (Queen Mary, 1553-1558) versus Protestant revolts; Elizabeth returns country to Protestantism when she gets the crown. Defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588 confirmed England’s status as a world power Black Plague persists (1300-1700: estimated death of 1/3 world’s population) Relative stability and length of Elizabeth’s reign, and her love of the humanities, led to transformation of English literature, especially plays and poetry

Elizabethan Actors First time in England’s history that actors became professional (did full-time and make a living) Troupes often under patronage of royal member of court (example: Lord Chamberlain’s Men) Much of the public thought acting a “low” profession Men only! Young boys played female parts.

Elizabethan Theaters The Globe outside London simple sets used open-roofed, “wooden O” “Groundlings” stood, middle class sat, royalty top tier often closed because of plague

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, 75 miles NW of London. Middle-class family. Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 (in 1582) and moved to London shortly afterward. Wife and children stayed in Stratford. Long periods away from home. Actor, poet, playwright, manager / shareholder Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets Borrowed heavily from other plays and literary sources. Authorship Controversy Retired to Stratford home after Globe Theater burnt down. Died at age 52.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream First performed approx. 1595 One of Shakespeare’s few “original” plays Major Themes: What is real and what is false? All’s fair in love and war “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind” (Act I, scene i)

The Artisans Peter Quince: carpenter Nick Bottom: weaver (“bottom” of thread reel) Snug: “joiner” (cabinet-maker, makes “snug” joints) Flute: bellows-maker (for church organ; has high-pitched voice) Snout: “tinker” (fixes kettle spouts) Robin Starveling: tailor (tailors were often poor in E. Age)

LITERARY TERMS

COMIC RELIEF The interruption of (or relief from) tragedy, with a humorous incident or scene. Shakespeare often uses servants, clowns and jesters to “lighten the mood” before or after a particularly dramatic scene. In Midsummer Act I, the humor of Scene 2 follows the seriousness of Scene 1.

ALLUSION A reference to something famous, such as another literary work, historical event, well-known person, etc. Shakespeare often alludes to mythology and folklore commonly known in the Elizabethan era. The myth of Pyramus and Thisbe is central in Midsummer.

FOIL A character whose personality or attitudes are in sharp contrast to those of another character in the same story As you read Midsummer, think of the following pairs: Hermia / Helena Peter Quince/ Nick Bottom Oberon / Titania

SOLILOQUY A speech that one character gives when he or she is alone on stage Reveals personal thoughts; as if we’re inside their head Different from monologue, when one character speaks uninterrupted for several lines when others are around on stage Example: Helena at end of I:i

ASIDE A character’s remark, either to another character or to the audience, that others on stage are not supposed to hear Often indicated in parenthetical stage directions, like this: (aside)

FORESHADOWING A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur later in the story. Suspenseful, sometimes ironic Examples: Helena’s “love looks not with the eyes” foreshadows Puck’s mixup

IRONY subtle (not obvious) humor, as determined by context. Three kinds often used: VERBAL: difference between what is said and what is meant, often using sarcasm Example: “What is Pyramus? A lover, or a tyrant?” (I:ii) Bottom ironically suggests they are the same, echoing the theme, “All’s fair in love and war.”

IRONY (continued) SITUATIONAL: when a character or reader expects one thing to happen but something else actually occurs. Example: Hermia and Lysander expect to meet in Act II and get married. What actually happens?

IRONY (continued) DRAMATIC: when the reader or a character knows something that another character does not know. Example: At the end of Act I, when the artisans plan to rehearse in the woods, we (the audience) know something the artisans do not: Hermia and Lysander plan to meet there as well to elope.

THE END