This is post 5 of 5 in the series “A Midsummer Night's Dream” A collection of literary analysis articles about A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Introduction and Context Background of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Myth, Folklore and Festivity Structure in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Plots and Patterns Why Is A…
Written in the mid-1590s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream combines Athenian mythology, English folklore, romantic comedy and theatrical parody. This introduction examines its context, characters, themes, language and enduring dramatic appeal.
Shakespeare combines ancient Athens, Ovidian transformation, medieval romance, English fairy lore and seasonal festivity. This cultural background explains the play’s unusual mixture of classical authority, woodland magic, romantic confusion and theatrical comedy.
