A Midsummer Night's Dream ★★★★☆

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Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Series: ----------
Author: William Shakespeare
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Play, Comedy
Pages: 111
Format: Digital Edition

Synopsis:

Lysander and Hermia are in love. Hermia's father however, wants her to marry Demetrius. Demetrius claims he's in love with Hermia but had previously woo'd and declared his love to Helena. Helena is in love with Demetrius. Lysander and Hermia plan to run away from Athens and get married. Helena tells Demetrius (I'm not sure why) and all 4 meet in the woods at night.

During this time, the King and Queen of the fairies are having a tiff because of a little serving boy. Oberon, the king, gives his servant Puck some magic herbs to cause trouble for Titania, the Queen. Puck also uses this magic herb on Lysander and Demetrius and lots of problems ensure between the 4 humans.

At the same time, a group of workmen are practicing a play in the same woods for the Duke of Athen's upcoming nuptials. Puck turns one of them into a creature with a donkey's head and everyone runs away. Titania ends up falling in love with Bottom due to the magic herbs. Oberon tells Puck to fix everything, which he does and it is all sweetness and light between everyone.

The play is performed at the wedding and the Duke and Company have as much making fun of the play as they watching it. The players are rewarded and everyone is happy.

My Thoughts:

I read this back in highschool in the 90's and have watched the movie, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, at least twice since 2000 so I'm relatively familiar with the story.

Finally, a “comedy” that I could laugh at. There is a reason this is one of Shakespeare's more produced plays. There is something for everyone and for almost every kind of humor. Whether word plays or physical comedy or situational comedy, this has it all.

I don't have much to say. I enjoyed this, am glad I really enjoyed something by Shakespeare and it has given me a shot in the arm to keep on reading. You're never going to hear me quoting Shakespeare like Jeeves though.

★★★★☆

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