A Midsummer Night's Dream: Script Analysis 

Title of the Play and Playwright:

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Script Analysis

The title of the play is “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and the play was written by William Shakespeare back in 1596.

Significance of the Play's Name or Title:

When you first read the play's title, it carries both social and literal meanings. The title “A Midsummer Night's Dream” indicates that the play is about a midnight dream during the middle of the summer. This duality is what's significant about the play's title, hinting at both the fantastical elements and the setting.

The Genre of the Play:

The genre of the play “A Midsummer Night's Dream” is comedy. It is classified as a comedy due to the obstacles it presents that are characteristic of Shakespearean comedy, such as misdirected love and parental disapproval. The play focuses less on the emotions of the characters and more on the humorous situations they find themselves in. For example, Hermia is in love with Lysander, yet her father Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius. This creates a dilemma for Hermia, as defying her father could lead to exile or even death. Additionally, Helena loves Demetrius, but Demetrius loves Hermia, leading to further comedic confusion when both Lysander and Demetrius start to fall for Helena.

Physical Settings of the Play:

The play features two distinct physical settings. The first is the court and city of Athens in ancient Greece, used at the beginning and end of the play. The second setting is a nearby forest, which plays a central role in the middle of the play. The time period of the play is set around 1595 and 1596.

The Plot of the Play:

The plot revolves around the Duke of Athens, Theseus, who is set to marry Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. Before the marriage, a four-day event full of festivities is planned. During these four days, Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, demands that his daughter Hermia marry Demetrius, despite her love for Lysander. Hermia faces the dire consequences of exile or death if she disobeys her father. As the deadline of Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding approaches, Hermia and Lysander devise a plan to escape to Lysander’s aunt's house in a distant city and marry there. Hermia confides in her friend Helena, who is also Demetrius's former fiancée, hoping to rekindle his love for her. When the time comes for Lysander and Hermia to flee, Demetrius follows them into the woods. Theseus and Hippolyta discover the young lovers in the forest and bring them back to the city. Puck, a mischievous fairy, ultimately resolves the romantic entanglements, ensuring that Lysander loves Hermia and Demetrius loves Helena. The play concludes with their marriages and a humorous performance by the Athenian craftsmen. Puck apologizes for the confusion and suggests the audience consider the events as a dream.

Characters of the Play:

• Hippolyta: The queen of the Amazons, representing order in the story.
• Theseus: The Duke of Athens, embodying order and power.
• Egeus: A brief character who insists his daughter Hermia marry a man she does not love, believing she must respect his wishes.
• Helena: In love with Demetrius and confident in herself, she wishes for him to fall for her again, which he eventually does.
• Hermia: In love with Lysander, yet her father wants her to marry Demetrius. Facing exile, she plans to escape with Lysander.
• Demetrius: A young Athenian initially in love with Hermia, but eventually rekindles his love for Helena.
• Lysander: A young Athenian who loves Hermia but is thwarted by her father’s wishes for her to marry Demetrius.
• Oberon: The king of fairies, whose actions lead to much of the play's confusion when he sends Puck for a love potion.
• Puck: Oberon's servant, known for playing pranks. He is a protagonist because he attempts to rectify the chaos he causes.

The protagonists in the story are Puck, Lysander, and Hermia. Puck is a protagonist because he tries to fix everything after causing chaos. Lysander and Hermia are protagonists because their quest for love and unity drives the narrative. The antagonist is Egeus, who selfishly demands his daughter marry his choice, disregarding her true feelings.

Playwright Craft:

The central theme of the play is that true love always prevails. It teaches a lesson that one should love with confidence and that love cannot be forced; it must be genuine.

Historical Context:

Written in 1595, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” reflects the societal norms and beliefs of its time. It remains relevant as a timeless exploration of love and the complexities of human relationships. Watching a live performance of this play would offer a unique perspective on how different interpretations bring out its comedic elements.

This was a funny play to read, and I think it would be interesting to see it performed live to witness how others envision its comedic and thematic aspects. References are formatted according to APA standards, such as (Shakespeare, 1596), and MLA, as in "Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Night's Dream. 1596."