A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare Introduction Background Discussion Starters Menu

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A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act III, Scene 2

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction The setting of this play is a mythical version of ancient Athens. Magical fairies roam the woods, ready to make mischief on humans.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction One summer night, two pairs of young lovers and a group of amateur actors wander into the fairies’ mad world.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction Hermia and Lysander are in love. Hermia’s father, however, insists that she marry Demetrius. Hermia’s friend Helena loves Demetrius. HermiaLysander HelenaDemetrius

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction When Hermia and Lysander sneak off to the forest to elope, Demetrius and Helena follow.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction Meanwhile, Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, are having a quarrel. The results for innocent human bystanders are disastrous—and hilarious!

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction How will the fairies affect the situation of Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius? Can love triumph over magical mischief as well as more ordinary obstacles?

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background To create an atmosphere of merriment and madness, Shakespeare borrows elements from two summer holidays: May Day and Midsummer’s Eve.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background People have celebrated May Day (May 1) since ancient times, when May 1 was considered the return of spring. One traditional May Day custom is to dance around a maypole, a pole draped with ribbons or flowers.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background Midsummer Eve (June 23) is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background The summer solstice is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted nearest to the Sun.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background The winter solstice is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted farthest from the Sun.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background For many cultures throughout history, the summer and winter solstices have been the most important days of the year.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background Celebrated with bonfires and dancing, the summer solstice was historically a lover’s holiday.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Discussion Starters Discuss (1) This play’s title suggests the madness traditionally associated with the celebration of the summer solstice. When can love seem like a kind of temporary madness? What kind of love is steady and unchanging?

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Discussion Starters Discuss (2) Think about romantic comedies you have seen. What are some elements of this type of story? How do romantic comedies usually end?