The Genre Explorers discussion

The 1500s-1800s Comedic Play groupread for February is
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, from approx. 1595.

Short Summary:
Shortly before the marriage of Duke Theseus of Athens, the culmination of a love triangle (or rather quadrangle) nears. Hermia loves Lysander, but her father has promised her to Demetrius which results in the two lovers running away into the forest at night. Demetrius, followed by the doting Helena, follows them. Mischievous fairies on the loose, common Athenians rehearsing a play and four people filled with passion will that night give the forest a show to remember.

Mythical references:
- Theseus and his Amazonian Queen-bride are also mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale" (from "The Canterbury Tales"), also as minor characters setting the scene. Their story is originally from Ancient Greek Mythology (thus the Athenian setting in Shakespeare's play).
- Oberon, the fairy king, was at this point a part of folklore. He seems to have evolved as a character from Medieval continental literature. His wife, Titania, remained nameless until Shakespeare named her thus.
- Puck is also known as Robin Goodfellow in English folklore, with Old English or Celtic origins. It was said that he would do you small housework favours, particularly if you left him gifts, but that he was very mischievous and would often play tricks, particularly if you feel out of favour with him.
- The Three Sisters: At some point towards the end, these are used in a line from the Pyramus play, talking about cutting someone's thread. This is a reference to the Norns from Norse Mythology - they're three old "ladies" weaving the tapestry of life who decide people's fate. Cutting someone's thread means ending their life (not important for the story, but thought it be unknown to non-Scandinavians today)

The Play within the Play:
Pyramus and Thisby (Thisbe actually) is a tragic story of two lovers, borrowed from Ovid's "Metamorphoses". The plot reads very much like that of "Romeo & Juliet" with the lovers being separated by their families' rivalry, talking to each other through a wall and finally arrange to meet at Ninus' tomb. When Thisbe arrives a lion attacks her and she runs away, leaving her blood-stained veil. Pyramus arrives, sees the veil, thinks her dead and stabs himself. Thisbe then returns, sees him dead and also stabs herself. They both die. The End.

I started early and already finished it Jan 1st :)

I recommend finding a non-modernized spelling version, as some of the poetry is lost in the modernized ones. But no matter which version you read, I recommend getting a copy of Shakespeare's Words: A Glossary and Language Companion. It's not that expensive and is not only a great dictionary, but also contains lots of useful info such as galleries of mythical caracters etc. Wouldn't be without it!

Anybody else reading this, any thoughts? I'm looking forward to reading more of Shakespeare's comedies.

I found the part about the little Indian fairy boy a bit strange though. (view spoiler)[Why did the fairy queen not protest when Oberon tricks her into giving him away, using magic? I found it a bit inconsistent with how she was otherwise portrayed. (hide spoiler)]