1. A midsummer Night’s Dream
Mythological and Historical
References

2. #1
Greek mythology

3. Theseus Mythical son of Greek god and goddess
Founder and King of Athens
Social reformer; changed the social order
Created unity

4. Hippolyta Queen of the Amazons Amazons = a race of female warriors
Boarded Theseus’s ship with gifts during a visit
Kidnapped by Theseus and forced to marry him

5. #2
Roman mythology

6. Pyramus and thisbe Lovers Forbidden to marry by parents
Live in connected houses and whisper through crack
Arrange to meet at Ninus’s tomb under a mulberry tree

7. What happened? Thisbe arrives, sees a lion with a bloody mouth, flees
Leaves behind her veil, which lion mutilates
Pyramus arrives, sees veil, assumes Thisbe is dead
Kills himself by falling on his sword
His blood splashes on the white mulberries and stains the fruit dark.

8. #3
Elizabethan culture

9. Midsummer Night When: Why: to celebrate… Summer Solstice June 23
Longest day of the year
Why: to celebrate…
Pleasant weather
Agriculture
Changing seasons
Easy living
Leisure

10. Looks Like…
Debauchery
Revelry
Alcohol
Partying
Fertility
Hanky-panky

11. A Brief Explanation of the Plot
The Fairies
The Wedding
The Lovers
The Players