A Midsummer Night's Dream

by Paul Leonard Murray, William Shakespeare (with help from)

The Silly Shakespeare for Students edition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream simplifies the famous play without dumbing it down. It's perfect for introducing students to the Bard and helping English Language Learners practice speaking and oracy skills while grappling with the classics. Author Paul Leonard Murray, director of the Belgrade English Language Theater, has cut the play down to an hour or so and made the language more accessible. But he's kept all the funny parts! Not only that, the whole thing is written in rhyming couplets.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's best-known plays for a reason. When Hermia's father forbids her to marry Lysander, the couple run away to elope. Demetrius, who is madly in love with Hermia follows them, and Helena who is in love with Demetrius, follows him. Little do they know that the fairies are watching them. The king of the fairies, Oberon sends his servant, mischievous pixie Puck, to fix these foolish mortals' woes, armed with a love potion. Hilarity ensues involving donkey-faced carpenters, dueling suitors, and some very confused Athenians.

Production notes and a summary of the play make putting on Shakespeare easy and fun, even if you've never done drama in class before! Looking for something different for drama club, student theater, or speaking class? Want to spice up your literature or reading class and give students a new appreciation for Shakespeare? This is the series for you.

82 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2020

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking an old classic and simplifying it for better understanding. Shakespeare can be hard to understand but this book tells the same story but in a way that is easier to understand. Great for students and teachers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of a series of plays called 'Silly Shakespeare for Students' and it is my opinion that this rendition of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' completely lives up to that description. This simplified version of Shakespeare's classic perfectly encapsulates the spirit and story of the original while being fun and silly and appealing to the humour of the elementary student. I wish this had been available when my nephew was studying Grade 4 English - he might have learned to enjoy poetry a lot more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Silly Shakespeare for Students! This edition makes Shakespeare fun and easy to understand without taking away any of the humour. The play is shorter and simpler, but it still keeps all the funny parts, like the donkey-faced carpenters and the chaotic love mix-ups.

The story is about Hermia and Lysander, who want to run away and be together even though Hermia’s dad says no. Demetrius loves Hermia, and Helena loves Demetrius, so everyone ends up chasing each other into the forest. Meanwhile, fairies are watching, and the fairy king Oberon sends Puck, a mischievous pixie, to fix everyone’s problems with a love potion. Things get crazy, confusing, and hilarious!

I loved how this edition keeps the rhyming couplets and makes it easier for students to read or perform. It’s perfect for drama clubs, classrooms, or anyone who wants to experience Shakespeare without getting lost in difficult old-fashioned words.

Even though it’s short, the play has a lot going on: love, magic, funny mistakes, and silly situations. It made me laugh and also think about how people act when they’re in love or jealous. I think it’s a really good introduction to Shakespeare for anyone my age.

Highly recommend for students, drama kids, and anyone curious about Shakespeare who wants a story that’s both funny and smart.

[Raju Chacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn English while enjoying a humorous, (shortened) Shakespeare classic in lovely couplet form! I recommend this book for ESL/EFL (any age) and native English language learners aged 10-15.