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Overview
Synopsis
In one of the most famous of literary love quadrangles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the tale of Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander, and Helena; four misguided lovers whose journey into the woods lands them in even more trouble, as members of the fairy kingdom decide to use them as veritable pawns in their own love games. Against the backdrop of the wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, and the fiery battle of wills between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, the four lovers are challenged by magic and trickery to finally work out what love is all about.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1595
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Athens in antiquity, A magical forest
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Regional Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's earlier comedies, written around 1595-6. It is believed that Shakespeare wrote this play to be performed at the wedding celebrations of a young nobleman. If this is true, the final act of the play is self-referential, as the wedding guests would have been doing exactly what they watched Hippolyta and Theseus doing: watching a play before them on the stage. Although the title of the play refers to a dream, it is clear that it is also refers to
to read the context for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In Athens, Duke Theseus is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Egeus, a nobleman, comes to Theseus with a complaint: his daughter Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, the man he has chosen for her, because she loves Lysander. Theseus gives Hermia an ultimatum: marry Demetrius, face death, or become a nun. Hermia and Lysander plan to escape to Lysander’s aunt’s house outside Athens, where they can marry. They confide in Helena, Hermia's friend, who is in love
to read the plot for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Farewell
A reference, usually implied, to a literary or historical person, place, event, or idea.
A person who is inexperienced.
A child that is intentionally or accidentally substituted for another, often by magical means.
An ending speech that sums up the central point of the performance, often thanking the audience or asking for applause.
A fictional story of the fantasy genre – idealised, romantic, and magical.
A type of theatre which draws attention to the nature of theatre and performance, often through a "play within a play"
Stories from ancient cultures about divine figures and supernatural events, often considered as a combination of literature, science, history, and religion
Description of material not protected by copyright law.
A reference made to one's own self, character, or experience.
A feeling or action that is not returned or reciprocated, such as love.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher