Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

As the final part of Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge, I decided to read Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's been a long time since I've read Shakespeare. College, maybe. Although this play is rather short, it took some time, that's for sure. But such a fun little play!!

Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is preparing to marry Hippolyta. Egeus, arrives in town for the wedding with his daughter Hermia. Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius, who is in love with her. But Hermia wants to marry Lysander. They make plans to steal away into the night and run off and marry. They tell Hermia's friend, Helena, who is love with Demetrius. Hoping to get back in Demetrius' good graces, Helena tells him of Hermia's plan.

As the couple head off into the Woods, we come across a group of fairies. Oberon, the fairy king, and Titania, his queen are arguing about an Indian prince that Oberon wants to make a knight. Titania refuses. So Oberon sends out his servant, Puck, to find a magical flower. If the flower's juice is spread over a sleeping person's eyes, that person will immediately fall in love with the first person they see when they wake up. Oberon wants to use the flower on Titania, but he then he overhears Demetrius talking to Helena. Demetrius is rather cruel to the lovestruck Helena and Oberon decides to use the flower on Demetrius. But Puck spreads the juice on Lysander's eyes by mistake, and the first person he sees is Helena. So Lysander abandons Hermia.....and everything just goes awry from there!

Puck is such a fun sprite!! He is also known as Robin Goodfellow, and he's rather mischievous, but he does make up for it by trying to do the right thing. I haven't read a lot of Shakespeare's comedies. Mostly just the dramas. But this was fun, once you can get past the Old English writing and understand what is going on! It's enchanted, with fairies and sprites and is the perfect way to end the Once Upon a Time II Challenge. Look for my Challenge wrap-up tomorrow!

"If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended,

That you have but slumber'd here

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend:

if you pardon, we will mend:

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck

Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,

We will make amends ere long;

Else the Puck a liar call;

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin shall restore amends.

"

Also Reviewed by:

Trish @ Trish's Book Nook