Vain Love -- Shakespeare's Annotations Series

Author: William Shakespeare
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-04-29
Features: A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's early comedies with the most cheerful tone. The plot summary is as follows: The King of Athens and three noble courtiers swear to abstain from sensual pleasures for three years. However, the King of France sends his princess, accompanied by three maids, to negotiate the ownership of a territory. The four men quickly abandon their vow and fall in love with each other. Thus, four pairs of lovers stage a series of romantic and comical scenes. Suddenly, a French messenger arrives to report the death of the French King, forcing the princess to return immediately. The princess, on behalf of the women, sets a condition: the men must wait for a year to see if their affections change. The four ladies depart gracefully. Although the play is titled A Midsummer Night's Dream, the plot actually demonstrates how love can conquer all. Shakespeare creates many laugh-out-loud jokes through clever plot devices, mocking the asceticism that shuns love and also the blindness of love. The entire play is filled with wordplay and puns. It encompasses all social classes, from the king and ministers to farmers and clowns, each with language that suits their respective roles. The play also interweaves fresh and beautiful songs and folk tunes, which are poetic and exude the scent of the English countryside, fully showcasing Shakespeare's linguistic genius.