A Midsummer Night’s Dream
I. About William Shakespeare
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is the most famous writer in English literature.
- He was a playwright, poet, and actor.
- Shakespeare was called the “Bard of Avon” and is considered England’s national poet.
- He wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 epic poems in about 25 years.
His plays are divided into:
- Histories
- Comedies
- Tragedies
Important comedies by Shakespeare include “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “The Merchant of Venice,” “The Comedy of Errors,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “As You Like It.”
- These comedies share similar themes.
II. About “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
- “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was probably written around 1595.
- It was meant to be entertainment for a nobleman’s wedding.
- Later, it was performed in public theaters.
- The play reflects the beliefs of the Elizabethan era, which included a belief in witches and spirits.
- The play uses elements like songs, dances, clever ideas, and mistaken identities.
- It creates a fantasy world where anything can happen.
- By the end, the play makes us think about how people love and behave.
III. Themes
- The main theme of the play is love.
- Shakespeare shows how people often fall in love with those they think are beautiful.
- The play suggests that real love is more than just physical attraction.
IV. Synopsis of the Extract (Act III, Scene ii)
- Oberon wonders what Titania loved when she woke up.
- Puck tells Oberon what happened and Oberon is pleased.
- Demetrius and Hermia enter, arguing, and Oberon realizes Puck put the potion on the wrong person.
- Demetrius falls asleep, and Oberon sends Puck to bring Helena.
- Oberon puts the potion on Demetrius’s eyes.
- When Helena arrives, Lysander is with her, declaring his love.
- Demetrius also wakes up and says he loves Helena.
- Hermia enters and is confused because both men now love Helena.
- Lysander rejects Hermia, and Helena and Hermia argue.
- The men go off to fight for Helena.
- The women continue to argue until Helena runs away.
- Oberon tells Puck to fix the mess and make sure the four lovers end up with the right people.
- Puck puts the potion on Lysander’s eyes so he will love Hermia again.
V. Key Characters
- Theseus: Duke of Athens
- Egeus: Hermia’s father
- Lysander: In love with Hermia
- Demetrius: In love with Hermia, later Helena
- Philostrate: In charge of Theseus’s celebrations
- Quince: A carpenter and director
- Snug: A joiner
- Bottom: A weaver
- Flute: A bellows-mender
- Snout: A tinker
- Starveling: A tailor
- Hippolyta: Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus
- Hermia: Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander
- Helena: In love with Demetrius
- Oberon: King of the fairies
- Titania: Queen of the fairies
- Puck (Robin Goodfellow): A fairy
- Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed: Fairies
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