CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

by Jacobson, Karin

• ISBN13: 9780764586729
• ISBN10: 0764586726
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-11-30
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes

Summary

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature.In CliffsNotes on A Midsummer Night's Dream, you dig into Shakespeare's entertaining story of young lovers as they're toyed with by mischievous forest sprites.Shakespeare claimed to have written this romantic comedy to show that "love hath no law but its own." This study guide follows the action from scene to scene with commentaries that bring sense to the entertaining play, which is neither realistic nor tragic. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author Introduction to and synopsis of the play Analyses of all the characters and a character map Summaries of each of the five acts A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topicsClassic literature or modern-day treasure - you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Author Biography

Karin Jacobson received her Ph.D. in English from Ohio State University and is currently an Assistant Professor of English and Composition at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Table of Contents

Life and Background of the Author	1	(6)
Personal Background	2	(1)
Education and Marriage	2	(1)
Life in London	3	(1)
Shakespeare's Work	4	(2)
Introduction to the Play	6	(13)
Introduction	7	(4)
Sources and Allusions	7	(1)
Performance History	8	(1)
Structure of the Play	8	(1)
Theme	9	(1)
The Elizabethan Theater	10	(1)
A Brief Synopsis	11	(3)
List of Characters	14	(4)
Character Map	18	(1)
Critical Commentaries	19	(42)
Act I, Scene 1	20	(6)
Summary	20	(1)
Commentary	21	(3)
Glossary	24	(2)
Act I, Scene 2	26	(4)
Summary	26	(1)
Commentary	26	(3)
Glossary	29	(1)
Act II, Scene 1	30	(6)
Summary	30	(1)
Commentary	31	(3)
Glossary	34	(2)
Act II, Scene 2	36	(4)
Summary	36	(1)
Commentary	36	(3)
Glossary	39	(1)
Act III, Scene 1	40	(4)
Summary	40	(1)
Commentary	40	(3)
Glossary	43	(1)
Act III, Scene 2	44	(5)
Summary	44	(1)
Commentary	45	(3)
Glossary	48	(1)
Act IV, Scene 1	49	(5)
Summary	49	(1)
Commentary	49	(4)
Glossary	53	(1)
Act IV, Scene 2	54	(2)
Summary	54	(1)
Commentary	54	(1)
Glossary	55	(1)
Act V, Scene 1	56	(5)
Summary	56	(1)
Commentary	56	(3)
Glossary	59	(2)
Character Analyses	61	(7)
Hermia	62	(1)
Helena	62	(2)
Bottom	64	(1)
Puck	65	(1)
Oberon	66	(1)
Theseus	66	(2)
Critical Essays	68	(9)
``A Silver Bow, New Bent in Heaven'': Moon Imagery in A Midsummer Night's Dream	69	(2)
Imagining Love	71	(2)
A Tedious Brief Movie Review of Michael Hoffman's A Midsummer Night's Dream	73	(4)
CliffsNotes Review	77	(4)
Q&A	77	(1)
Identify the Quote	78	(1)
Essay Questions	79	(1)
Practice Projects	80	(1)
CliffsNotes Resource Center	81	(4)
Books	81	(1)
Internet	82	(1)
Films and Other Recordings	83	(1)
Essays	83	(1)
Send Us Your Favorite Tips	84	(1)
Cliffs Notes Index	85