Understanding A midsummer night's dream : a student casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Understanding A midsummer night's dream : a student casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents
（The Greenwood Press "Literature in context" series）
Greenwood Press, 2003
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Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This casebook begins by establishing the dramatic and literary concerns of the play, such as structure, themes, poetic language, and original sources and classical inspiration. Four historical context chapters consider attitudes toward gender relations, social distinctions, popular culture, and imagination in Shakespeare's time, revealing contemporary social and political issues and debates reflected in the comedy.
One of Shakespeare's most delightful plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream enchants audiences and readers with its celebration of magic, dreams, and love. This casebook begins by establishing the dramatic and literary concerns of the play. Four historical context chapters consider attitudes toward gender relations, social distinctions, popular culture, and imagination in Shakespeare's time, revealing contemporary issues and debates reflected in the comedy.
Each unit is supported by primary historical documents, including pamphlets and proclamations. A discussion of performance and interpretation focuses on how the play's popularity and perspectives have evolved over the centuries, and thematic connections to modern influences like sitcoms and Freudian dream analysis show how the play is pertinent to young readers. Numerous ideas for written assignments and oral discussions are offered, along with further suggested readings.
Table of Contents
Introduction Dramatic Analysis Gender Relations: Love, Marriage, and the Battle of the Sexes Social Distinctions: Royalty, Gentry, and the Common People Popular Culture: Holidays, Entertainments, and Play-Acting Imagination: Dreams, Fairies, and Transformation Performance and Interpretation Contemporary Applications Index
by "Nielsen BookData"