1. A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare
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Discussion Starters

2. A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.
Hermia
Lysander
Helena
Demetrius

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

8. 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!

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

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

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

15. 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.

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

17. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Discussion Starters
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?

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