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An exciting new edition of the complete works of Shakespeare with these features: Illustrated with photographs from New York Shakespeare Festival productions, vivid readable readable introductions for each play by noted scholar David Bevington, a lively personal foreword by Joseph Papp, an insightful essay on the play in performance, modern spelling and pronunciation, up-to-date annotated bibliographies, and convenient listing of key passages.
The central conflict arises when four young lovers flee into an enchanted forest, only to become entangled in the chaotic romantic disputes of the fairy king and queen. The protagonist group seeks to escape the rigid social laws of Athens, which threaten to force an unwanted marriage upon Hermia. They are opposed by the whims of Oberon and Titania, whose magical interference creates a series of misaligned affections. The narrative framework utilizes a multi-layered structure, shifting between the aristocratic court, the supernatural realm of the woods, and the comedic efforts of local laborers attempting to stage a play.
Community & Critical Observation: Discussion often centers on the play's intricate balance between lighthearted comedy and the darker, more unpredictable nature of the fairy realm. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the forest setting as a space where social norms are suspended and characters undergo significant psychological shifts. Critics often examine the play's meta-theatrical elements, noting how the performance of the mechanicals serves as a commentary on the nature of art itself. The work remains a frequent subject of analysis regarding its portrayal of gender roles and the arbitrary nature of love. Many readers appreciate the rhythmic quality of the dialogue and the enduring humor found in the interactions between the mortal and immortal characters.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
1980-10-16
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198319266
ISBN-13:
9780198319269