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A Midsummer Night's Dream Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

Midsummer Night's Dream study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in Athens. Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is planning his marriage with Hippolyta, and as a result he is a planning a large festival. Egeus enters, followed by his daughter Hermia, her beloved Lysander, and her suitor Demetrius. Egeus tells Theseus that Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, wanting instead to marry Lysander. He asks for the right to punish Hermia with death if she refuses to obey.

Theseus agrees that Hermia's duty is to obey her father, and threatens her with either entering a nunnery or marrying the man her father chooses. Lysander protests, but is overruled by the law. He and Hermia than decide to flee by night into the woods surrounding Athens, where they can escape the law and get…

Read the full A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary

• A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary
• About A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• A Midsummer Night's Dream: Essays
• A Midsummer Night's Dream: E-Text
• A Midsummer Night's Dream: Questions
• A Midsummer Night's Dream: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography