A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

I. Exposition
A. Time: First Performed between 1595 and 1596. Script was first printed in 1600. The play is set in Mythological times.
B. Place: Athens in Greece
C. Mood & Atmosphere: Slightly surreal, dreamy, comedic atmosphere and mood.
D. Preliminary Situation: Theseus has captured Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, on the battlefield, and they plan to marry. Also, Egeus stipulates that his daughter Hermia must marry Demetrius, but she wants to marry Lysander, whom Hermia's friend Helena is in love with.

II. Plot
A. Initial Incident:
B. Rising Action:
C. Climax:
D. Conclusion – Final Outcome for Each Major Character

III. Characters
A. Protagonist: Possibly Puck
B. Antagonist:
C. Secondary:
D. Minor:

IV. Theme: The theme of the play is a Comedy.
V. Personal Reaction:

VI. Evidence:
"I know a bank where the wild thyme grows."
-Oberon

"Lord, what fools these mortals be!"
-Puck

"The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well."
-Puck

"The course of true love never did run smooth."
-Lysander

"Use me but as your spaniel: spurn me, strike me, / neglect me, lose me; only give me leave / (Unworthy as I am) to follow you."
-Helena