Introduction This is a play that was written by renowned playwright, William Shakespeare, in a period believed to in the late 16 th century. A Midsummer’s Night Dream illustrates happenings based on the marriage of Theseus, and Hippolyta. These happenings include the adventures of four youthful Athenian lovers and a number of amateur actors, who are controlled by the fairies that live in the forest in which most of the scenes occur. This is one of Shakespeare’s most popular literary plays and has been adapted and performed in many theatres across the globe. Setting and Context A Midsummer’s Night Dream is thought to have been written around 1590 and 1596. The play is set in ancient Athens and comprises three interlocking plots, ultimately joined at the Duke’s wedding ceremony. The other two plots are situated in the woods, and in the fairyland. The play draws on a myriad of cultures and mythologies from the Athenian society, for example, Theseus is loosely associated with a Greek hero with a similar name, and the play mentions a number of Greek gods and goddesses. The play also borrows from the English fairy lore, the example of which is Puck, whose character was common in 16 th century fables, the craftsmen were also common in London theatres. Characters Theseus – He is the Duke of Athens and is getting ready to marry Hippolyta at the beginning of the play. Hippolyta – She is the queen of the Amazons and is Theseus’ fiancée. Lysander – He is Hermia’s lover and in the end of the play, the two marry. Demetrius – He loves Hermia, but she does not love him back. He previously loved Helena but ditched her when he met Hermia. In the woods, Puck uses the magical flower juice to make Demetrius love Helena, and the two marry together with the duke. Helena – Is treated meanly by Demetrius, her former lover, and she does many things to win back his love. With Puck’s help, she wins him and the two eventually marry. Oberon – Is the fairies’ king. He is fighting with Titania over the young Indian boy, he instructs Puck to use the magical flower juice on her and he succeeds in having the boy. He also assists Helen in her quest to win back Demetrius’ love. Titania – She is Oberon’s wife and they have an argument over the custody of the Indian boy. She releases the boy under Puck’s spell after which the spell is lifted and the couple is united again. Puck – He is used by Oberon to influence both his wife and Demetrius using the magical flower juice. Nick Bottom- He is a craftsman and is a member of cast team rehearsing the play Pyramus and Thisbe in the woods. Titania falls in love with him momentarily while she was under the influence of Puck’s spell. Egeus is Hermia’s father. Philostrate is the man in charge of entertainment during Theseus’ wedding. Peter Quince is a carpenter and directs the group that performs a play at the wedding. Francis Flute is a bellows-mender and is part of the Pyramus and Thisbe cast. Tom Snout , Snug and Robin Starveling are also members of the Pyramus and Thisbe cast Peaseblossom , Cobweb , Moth , and Mustardseed are fairies. Themes Love The play illustrates the dark side of love and how finding it can be difficult. Lysander says “the course of true love never did run smooth”, stressing this important theme (Huke and Perkins, 1981). Although the play focuses on the conflicts arisin