Family Background William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, a small town of about 1,500 people northwest of London. John Shakespeare, William’s father, made his living primarily as a tanner and a glover but also traded wool and grain from time to time. John Shakespeare also served (although […]
Read more William Shakespeare BiographyCharacter Analysis Theseus
Like Oberon, Theseus is a contradictory character. On the one hand, he is the ruler of Athens and represents the voice of law and authority in the mortal realm, paralleling Oberon’s similar position in the fairy world. His duty as dispenser of justice is seen early in the play through […]
Read more Character Analysis TheseusCharacter Analysis Oberon
The King of the Fairies, Oberon’s personality has two sides. On the one hand, he ensures that the proper lovers end up together by the end of the play. He sympathizes with the sorely abused Helena and causes Demetrius to fall madly in love with her. As a benevolent ruler […]
Read more Character Analysis OberonCharacter Analysis Puck
Oberon’s jester and lieutenant, Puck is a powerful supernatural creature, capable of circling the globe in 40 minutes or of enshrouding unsuspecting mortals in a deep fog. Also known as Robin Goodfellow, Puck would have been familiar to a sixteenth-century English audience, who would have recognized him as a common […]
Read more Character Analysis PuckCharacter Analysis Bottom
Probably created as a showcase for one of Shakespeare’s favorite actors, Bottom’s role involves dancing, singing, and laughter. From his first introduction, Bottom is presented as courageous and outgoing. He is confident in his ability to play any, even all, roles in “Pyramus and Thisbe.” For example, he says his […]
Read more Character Analysis BottomCharacter Analysis Helena
Obsessed over Demetrius, Helena’s character emphasizes the capriciousness of love and its excesses. Even though she knows she is making a fool of herself by pursuing Demetrius, Helena cannot stop the chase. She reminds us that love is blind, declaring that she is as beautiful as Hermia, so there is […]
Read more Character Analysis HelenaCharacter Analysis Hermia
Critics often recognize the similarity between Hermia and Helena because both represent the difficulties of adolescent love. But these two young women are more different than their male counterparts, Lysander and Demetrius, who are, indeed, indistinguishable. Not only do these two young women show the trials and tribulations of young […]
Read more Character Analysis HermiaSummary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1
Summary The play has come full circle, and the cast has now returned to the palace where Theseus and Hippolyta discuss the strange tale the lovers have told them about the events of the previous evening. The joyous lovers enter, and Theseus decides it is time to plan the festivities […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary In this short scene, Quince and Flute are searching for their missing friend, Bottom. They worry that “Pyramus and Thisbe” won’t be performed without him. Theseus is known for his generosity, and the actors believe they will potentially be rewarded with a lifelong pension for their stellar performance of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary Bottom is enjoying his sojourn in Titania’s bower: Peaseblossom amiably scratches his head, while Cobweb goes off in search of honey for him. As Bottom sleeps in Titania’s arms, Oberon walks in. Feeling pity for Titania’s pitiful love for this ass, Oberon squeezes an herb on her eyes to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1