Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare
Citation preview
A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare
IntroductionBackgroundDiscussion Starters
Menu
A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”A Midsummer Night’s DreamAct III, Scene 2
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.
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.
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
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Introduction
When Hermia and Lysander sneak off to the forest to elope, Demetrius and Helena follow.
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!
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?
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.
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.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background
Midsummer Eve (June 23) is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background
The summer solstice is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted nearest to the Sun.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background
The winter solstice is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted farthest from the Sun.
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.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Background
Celebrated with bonfires and dancing, the summer solstice was historically a lover’s holiday.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Discussion Starters
Discuss (1) 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?
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Discussion Starters
Discuss (2)
• Think about romantic comedies you have seen. What are some elements of this type of story?
• How do romantic comedies usually end?
