A MIDSUMMER NIGHT´S DREAM

The main plot of Midsummer is complex because it involves  two sets of couples (Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius) with some love problems. They run away to the woods to escape from them. and the world of the fairies where Titania and Oberon live. They are the Queen and King of Fairyland. In this magic world the character of Puck or Robin Goodfellow is very important because he is a little bit naughty and plays tricks on the characters in such a way that the plot becomes even more complex. There is a subplot as well that introduces satire and humour and here we have to pay attention to Bottom and his band. They also go to this enchanted wood to rehearse a play that is based on the myth of "Pyramus and Thisbe".... What can happen in the forest in the solstice of summer?



The Woods, The night, the moon and the fairy world play a
very important role in the play





















To understand a bit better the relation between  the characters, have a look at the following chart :

The BBC has done this animated version of the play. Watch it and compare it with what we going to read in class

Another version is this CliffsNotes summary with more updated vocabulary

Shakespeare coined many popular phrases that are still commonly used today. Here are some examples of Shakespeare's most familiar quotes from A Midsummer Night's Dream: 

          "the course of true love never did run smooth"

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

                                       "Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

                                       "Or in the night, imagining some fear,

                 How easy is a bush supposed a bear"

                                           "If we shadows have offended,

         Think but this, and all is mended,
         That you have but slumbered here
          While these visions did appear.
           And this weak and idle theme,
          No more yielding but a dream,
         Gentles, do not reprehend:
        If you pardon, we will mend:
       And, as I am an honest Puck,                                          

                                            If we have unearned luck
                                           Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
                                           We will make amends ere long;
                                          Else the Puck a liar call;
                                          So, good night unto you all.
                                         Give me your hands, if we be friends,
                                        And Robin shall restore amends.”

 

                  "Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,

                   Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend

                    More than cool reason ever comprehends"

After this first approach to the play, let´s read and be for a  couple of weeks actors and actresses and act out of  his funniest and most beautiful work.
Pay attention to the following ideas in the play:
- mistaken identities
- multiple plots and subplots
. turning things upside down in the sense that conventions are not followed.
- language and its use (insults, misuse of words, etc)
- marriage and its presence in the play
- the fairy world and the importance of magic
- Puck and folklore

                         Enjoy!!