A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream was written 420 years ago so it's syntax of Elizabethan English is quite different and foreign to our modern American English. William Shakespeare was brilliant but his writing reflects his time so it is imperative to have a guide of sorts to breakdown his syntax into our modern syntax making the experience of reading Shakespeare more fulfilling. This is where A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare Made Clear) comes in handy as it is the ultimate accompanying guide to the famous story. This accompanying guide version makes understanding Shakespeare easier and more enjoyable. The guide includes an introductory discussion of the play's themes and characters, its dramatic structure, its history and historical context and of course its author and insightful summary at the end. This accompanying guide makes understanding Shakespeare easier and useful by having a new modern interpretation and translation of Shakespeare's original text underneath the original text provided line by line on every page of the play. This is then followed by a detailed explanation featuring insights in Shakespeare's original text with historical facts and deeper motives. As the accompanying guide concludes there is a very helpful and intriguing insight into the play's major themes. I highly suggest that if you want to not only grasp understanding the complexities of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream but also gain a deeper appreciation for it then buy this most helpful of all accompanying guides to this timeless touching, playful and insightful story.

Product arrived early, condition as listed. Very pleased.

I like reading this edition. The story is timeless and the kindle format makes it easy to enjoy anywhere.

This series of Shakespeare Made Clear does full justice to William Shakespeare and is a real service to the average reader who wants to know and understand the works of the greatest author/dramatist that ever lived. As in all the Shakespeare Made Clear series there is a simply marvelous rundown about Shakespeare's life and times. His often difficult-to-interpret dialogue is set side-by-side with our own vernacular. Bravo! "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is also one of the most raucous, joyful and merriest of Shakespeare's comedies and a good place to start learning about his plays. Don't pass this up, it's a fun story...you'll be hooked on Shakespeare for good as well as the Shakespeare Made Clear series. There's a clear synopsis of a complicated plot, a scene-by-scene rundown and even annotated notes along the way explaining the genesis, the subtext and the history of Shakespeare's words and phrases. It also includes a cast of characters, the play's major themes are discussed and an entertaining biography of William Shakespeare to boot. Hear! Hear! Shakespeare Made Clear honors the works of Shakespeare by making his words and ideas more accessible for the masses. Why should you believe me? In college I was a Theater Arts major, before turning to English and I followed several authors throughout my college days and beyond, but particularly William Shakespeare. I have read all his plays and hundreds of critical essays dissecting his works, so it came as a surprise - no, I must confess, a shock - that after reading everything from dense scholarly theses to Cliff's Notes, that the simplicity of the Shakespeare Made Clear stands alone. This is the best way for anyone - from young students to just plain "folks" - who wants to experience Shakespeare and bring his works to life. Author! Author!

A book that could have been so much better if it had been able to format itself differently. Having read any number of books that translate older English works so that a Modern reader can understand better what was intended or being described in the older work, something that is needed due to the shifts in language, there is a format that works well to keep things clear for the reader. This format is one where the older text is displayed on one side with the translation/explanations displayed on the other. This works out well helping the reader to keep track of what is going on without loosing the continuity of either text. In this case that format has not been used, instead the translation and any explanations come directly after the passage it is translating. Making it somewhat difficult to keep flow of the play in mind. With the downside being to such a degree it would be thought that perhaps the book had no value, but this is not true. The book has a major upside for students who are new to Shakespeare and the language he uses for his plays. In this capacity it will help those who have not learned to appreciate or haven't adjusted to the older mode of expression an introduction to the joys of the world that Shakespeare brought to life in his plays. In this context the book is a valuable resource and one that can and will bring much joy to those who go to the effort to use it in the way it was meant to be used. It would be a very good companion to the books that were handed out in class for the reading of Midsummer Nights Dream. Another bonus of this book over one that just translates the text into modern English is the fact that there are a number of explanations given to explain what the references/idioms mean in modern terms. Helping the reader to reason out the slang terms that Shakespeare used that would have been contemporary for his times, but have since lost their meaning. Also it includes a lot of information in regards to the background of the play as well as a full synopsis of the play. It also gives a run down of the characters and the major themes of the play both of which are quite important to the student who is assigned the play for a class. So while the format is a distraction it doesn't keep the book from being quite useful.

Whether you have to read A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare, or you are a total Shakespeare fan, this is a dream guide to understanding Shakespeare's writing. I found this guide just what you need to help enjoy, or for some to tolerate the original writing. The language in the 1600's are not heard on the streets today. Some say they simply cannot read or understand Shakespeare. This guide not only explains the play in easier to understand terms, but it also gives you the entire play in the original language and then in the new language. Just to read a scene in the old and then in the new, you somehow feel like you get it. The characters and the flow of the play are clearly explained. In the four appendices you get the scene by scene summary, the cast of characters, the play's major themes and finally a stab at telling us about the author William Shakespeare. By then end of this book I felt like I conquered a Shakespeare writing and got the story - perhaps not as Shakespeare did, but as a he intended to reach his audience even if only for entertainment.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Shakespeare Library)" is a must-have for any Shakespeare enthusiast. The Folger edition beautifully presents this timeless classic with comprehensive annotations, making it accessible to readers of all levels. The insightful commentary provides invaluable context, enhancing the understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's brilliant storytelling. Whether you're a student, actor, or simply an admirer of the Bard's work, this edition is an indispensable resource for delving into the enchanting world of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

This is a really beautiful small hardback. I subtracted one star due to the large price sticker on the back. I was able to carefully remove the entire sticker, but it left sticky residue on the dust jacket, which is a shame for what is clearly meant to be a gift copy.