A Midsummers Nights Dream

1
A Midsummers Nights Dream

• By William Shakespeare

2
Topics of Discussion

• History of Play
• Character Groups
• Couples
• The Court vs. the Forest
• Nature of Love
• Love vs. Power

3
History of Play

• Shortest Play
• Commissioned for Wedding
• Popularity

4
Character Groups

• Court Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus
• Lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, Demetrius
• Mechanicals Quince, Bottom, Snout, Snug, etc.
• Fairies Oberon, Titania, Puck, etc.

5
Couples

• Theseus and Hippolyta
• Egeus and Hermia
• Hermia and Helena
• Hermia and Lysander
• Hermia and Demetrius
• Helena and Demetrius
• Helena and Lysander
• Oberon and Titania
• Oberon and Puck
• Bottom and Quince
• Bottom and Titania

6
The Court vs. the Forest

• Court Order, law, reason, etc.
• Forest Renewal, magic, Edenic, Pastoral, etc.
• Edenic Symbols
• Nature of Pastoralism

7
The Nature of Love

• True Love
• Paternal Love
• Controlling Love
• Love at First Sight
• Platonic Love

8
Love vs. Power

• Power in a relationship
• Dominance and Control
• Methods of Assuming Control