A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, a play that moves between the ordered court of Athens and a magical wood where anything can happen. Duke Theseus is preparing to marry Hippolyta, but four young lovers flee into the forest, where their romantic entanglements are complicated by a fairy king and queen, a mischievous sprite named Puck, and a love potion that causes chaos. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearses a play that they hope to perform at the Duke's wedding, and their efforts lead to some of the funniest scenes in English theatre.

This edition is designed for readers who are new to Shakespeare or who want to revisit the play. It contains the complete text of the play, divided into five acts with clear scene headings. A new introduction offers context about Shakespeare's life and times, the play's likely occasion, and what to notice while reading. A character guide introduces the principal figures, from Hermia and Lysander to Oberon and Bottom. A summary tells the story from beginning to end, and a list of themes explores the play's ideas about love, dreams, order, and imagination. A glossary explains unfamiliar words and phrases, and discussion questions invite readers, students, and book clubs to think more deeply about the comedy. Whether you are studying the play or simply enjoying it, this edition provides helpful support without getting in the way of the text.