Shakespeare Recommendation: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, is a must-read. It’s a comedy, and it’s easier to understand than many of his other plays. Lovers who will risk anything to be together, arguing fairies, and tradesmen who are attempting to act are intertwined in its intricate plot, which, together with some of the best speeches ever written, results in one of the best plays of all time. If you have already read a Midsummer Night’s Dream, consider reading it again. I can guarantee that it will be worth it!

Ready for a challenge? Consider memorizing a selection of the play, such as Act 2 Scene 1 lines 2-17 or 248-267, or Act 3 Scene 2 lines 6-34.

While you read the play, think about the following questions:

-Who is the most virtuous character?
-Is there a villain?
-Was Oberon right to order Puck to put Titania under the spell?
-Was Helena right to tell Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander’s escape into the woods?
-Does Egeus care about Hermia?
-Is the “play within a play” (the one about Pyramus and Thisbe in Act 5 Scene 1) comic or tragic?

If you want, you can email your answers to [email protected], along with your name and grade level, and we will include them in the article: “Shakespeare Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream” which is coming out soon!