Understanding A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents
By (Author) Faith Nostbakken
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Greenwood Press
30th August 2003
United States
General
Non Fiction
822.33
Hardback
216
This casebook begins by establishing the dramatic and literary concerns of the play, such as structure, themes, poetic language, and original sources and classical inspiration. Four historical context chapters consider attitudes toward gender relations, social distinctions, popular culture, and imagination in Shakespeare's time, revealing contemporary social and political issues and debates reflected in the comedy. One of Shakespeare's most delightful plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream enchants audiences and readers with its celebration of magic, dreams, and love. This casebook begins by establishing the dramatic and literary concerns of the play. Four historical context chapters consider attitudes toward gender relations, social distinctions, popular culture, and imagination in Shakespeare's time, revealing contemporary issues and debates reflected in the comedy. Each unit is supported by primary historical documents, including pamphlets and proclamations. A discussion of performance and interpretation focuses on how the play's popularity and perspectives have evolved over the centuries, and thematic connections to modern influences like sitcoms and Freudian dream analysis show how the play is pertinent to young readers. Numerous ideas for written assignments and oral discussions are offered, along with further suggested readings.
[W]ould benefit undergraduate and high school library collections-Against the Grain
"Would benefit undergraduate and high school library collections"-Against the Grain
"[W]ould benefit undergraduate and high school library collections"-Against the Grain
FAITH NOSTBAKKEN has taught at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her research focuses on Shakespeare and Renaissance drama, particularly the historical contexts. She is the author of two other books in Greenwood's Literature in Context series, Understanding Macbeth: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents (1997) and Understanding Othello (2000).