... of Shakespeare's early "festive comedies,"" written around 1595-6. Despite the many thematic references to "dreams- and the fantastic setting of the Athenian forest, the play also contains a fair amount of commentary on Shakespeare's contemporary English world. The play's title, for instance, refers to an English holiday custom: on "Midsummer Eve,"" or the night of the summer solstice on June 23, English men and women would spend ... of true love. Rather than marry a man she despises (Demetrius), Hermia elopes with her beloved Lysander, setting off into the Athenian woods, en route to L...

• Word Count: 10864
• Approx Pages: 43
• Grade Level: High School