A Midsummer Night's Dream

Why should you read A Midsummer Night's Dream?

Watch this video from Ted-Ed as an introduction to the play, a brief synopsis, and a discussion of the play's merits.

AMND - Introductory Slides

Click the heading or the image to access a PDF version of the play. Alternatively, you can access the Shakescleare version of the text from LitCharts here. You can also access the CourseHero resources here, and you this independent study pack to help organise your ideas.

Don't forget! Shakespeare is a blend of poetry and drama: his plays are also works of poetry.

Keeping The Audience In Mind

Understanding Comedies

How does Shakespeare address the theme of love and its irrational nature in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
In what ways does A Midsummer Night's Dream reflect on the societal hierarchy of the Elizabethan era through its portrayal of characters from different social classes?
Examine the significance of the play within a play in A Midsummer Night's Dream and its effect on the audience's understanding of the main themes.
Discuss the role of rumour, eavesdropping, and miscommunication in driving the plot of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Analyse Shakespeare's use of character transformation in A Midsummer Night's Dream to underscore the complexity of human relationships.
How does A Midsummer Night's Dream provide commentary on the relationship between love and societal expectations?
Evaluate the ways in which A Midsummer Night's Dream challenges traditional gender roles and patriarchal authority.
To what extent does A Midsummer Night's Dream a good example of Renaissance literature?
How does A Midsummer Night's Dream depict the concept of internal conflict and personal folly within the context of romantic pursuits?
Consider the two distinct settings in A Midsummer Night's Dream—Athens and the woods—and their contributions to the development of the play’s themes of order and chaos.
How does the natural and supernatural environment in A Midsummer Night's Dream serve as a backdrop for exploring themes of enchantment, transformation, and the unknown?

Click the link above or the image to access materials that can develop your understanding of the text.

Back to Texts