A Midsummer Night’s Dream

1. Characters, plots, Shakespeare’s techniques and inspiration A Midsummer Night’s Dream

2. Characters • There are three subplots going on simultaneously within this play. Each subplot has its own set of characters and conflicts; however, they all collide and intertwine at different points within the play.

3. The Nobles • Lysander – In love with Hermia • Hermia – In love with Lysander • Helena – In love with Demetrius, who used to be in love with her • Demetrius – Has permission to marry Hermia and may be in love with her, or not • Egeus – Hermia’s father who has promised her hand to Demetrius despite the fact that she is in love with another man • Theseus – Duke of Athens, about to marry Hippolyta, a beautiful Amazonian.

4. The Rude Mechanicals • These are a group of laborers who all aspire to be actors in the nuptial celebration of Theseus and Hippolyta • Peter Quince – a carpenter • Bottom – a weaver • Flute – a bellows mender • Snug - a joiner ( specific carpentry work) • Tom Snout – a tinker (repairs household items) • Robin Starveling – a tailor

5. The Fairies • The king and queen of Fairyland are having an argument. The fight is so violent that it is affecting the weather in the mortal world. The fight is over a semi-human child. Both want him for their own • Oberon – King • Titania – Queen • Puck – a devilish trickster employed by the king

6. Types of Comedy • Character: the actual characters/their personalities are amusing • Ex. The main character in ELF makes us laugh because of his quirky behavior and thoughts • Language: the dialogue is funny • Ex. A stand-up comedian’s speech • Situation: The events that occur are humorous • Ex. The episode of Friends when Rachel and Chandler are so hooked on cheesecake that they eat it off the floor after dropping it during a scuffle

7. Types of Irony • Situational • Occurs when a character or audience expects one thing to happen but something entirely different happens • Dramatic • Refers to the contrast between what a character knows and what the reader or audience knows • Verbal • When someone says one thing but means another

8. Shakespeare’s Inspiration • PubliusOvidiusNaso or Ovid was born in 43 B.C. in Italy. He was born into a wealthy family and was sent to Rome to study so that he could become a public speaker and politician. Ovid used his education to further his writing and did not become the man his father had hoped. • Ovid wrote Metamorphosis. It tells stories about the transformations of mostly humans and nymphs into animals, plants, etc. Metamorphosis is a storehouse for Greek and Roman mythology. • The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is from this body of literature. • Shakespeare and his contemporaries were all familiar with, and frequently plagiarized from, Metamorphosis