ENGL 2029 Chapter : A Midsummer Night
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Study Guide
Author
Williams Shakespeare
When
1595-1596
Characters
Theseus-Duke of Athens
Egeus- Father to Hermia
Lysander-In love with Hermia
Demetrius-In love with Hermia
Philostrate-Master of the Revels to Theseus
Quince-a carpenter
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 to Egeus, in love with Lysander
Helena-in love with Demetrius
Oberon-King of the Fairies
Titania-Queen of the Fairies
Puck, or Robin Goodfellow
Peaseblossom
Cobweb
Moth
Mustarseed
Play Type
Comedy
Document Summary
A midsummer night"s dream is an early comedy and one of shakespeare"s most beloved works. It is his most imaginative plays and introduces us to the world of fairies and the realm of dreams. Shakespeare"s fun for the play is showing how the world of fairies intersects with the world of real people. We can interpret the play as a hint of what would happen if the worlds of dreams and real experiences were to cross. The fact that these worlds are more alike than different gives him the comic basis to work on and finds new and amusing ways to interpret the device of mistaken identities. The play is set in athens, with duke theseus about to wed hippolyta, the queen of the amazons. Helena and hermia are young women in love with demetrius and lysander, respectively. Demetrius, however, wants to marry hermia and has the blessing of hermia"s father.
