Historical Context (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

This section explains the historical context of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night's Dream, believed to have been written between 1595 and 1596, reflects both the cultural and social context of Elizabethan England. Understanding the historical background can help enhance your interpretation of the play’s themes, characters, and symbolism. The play was written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a period often referred to as the Elizabethan era.

Elizabethan Society and Beliefs

The Role of Marriage

In Elizabethan society, marriage was primarily seen as a social contract and was often arranged by families to secure wealth, status, or alliances. Love was not always the driving force behind marriage, which is reflected in the play through the character Egeus, who demands Hermia marry Demetrius against her will.

The importance of obedience

Obedience to the father was highly valued, and Hermia’s defiance of her father’s wishes to marry Lysander would have been seen as scandalous at the time. This tension highlights the clash between individual desires and societal expectations.

Elizabethan Gender Roles

Society had strict views on gender roles, with men holding positions of power and authority over women. Women were expected to be obedient and subservient to men. This is evident in the play, where Hermia and Helena’s decisions are heavily influenced by the men around them, and Theseus has the legal authority to determine Hermia’s fate.

However, the play also hints at a more progressive view of women, particularly through the character of Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Although she is a conquered queen, she is portrayed as a strong and independent figure, subtly challenging typical gender roles of the time.

The Influence of Mythology and Folklore

Classical Mythology

Shakespeare frequently drew upon Greek and Roman mythology for inspiration. The setting of the play in Athens, and the characters of Theseus and Hippolyta, both originate from Greek mythology. Theseus, the Duke of Athens, was a legendary hero, while Hippolyta was the Queen of the Amazons. Their inclusion in the play adds a mythical and grandiose element, linking the story to classical tales of heroism and conquest.

The play’s references to gods such as Cupid and Diana also reflect the Elizabethan audience’s familiarity with classical mythology.

Fairies and Elizabethan Folklore

Fairies played a significant role in English folklore during Shakespeare's time. They were often depicted as mischievous and magical beings who could influence human affairs. In the play, the characters of Oberon, Titania, and Puck are based on traditional fairy lore, with Puck (also known as Robin Goodfellow) being a popular figure in English folklore as a trickster.

The inclusion of the fairies brings a supernatural element to the play, and their actions drive much of the plot. Elizabethans believed in the supernatural and the influence of unseen forces, particularly in nature, which is reflected in the chaotic events in the forest.

The Elizabethan Theatre

The Globe Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream would have been performed at the Globe Theatre, an open-air playhouse in London where Shakespeare’s acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, performed. Audiences would have ranged from the wealthy and educated to the working-class. The mix of high comedy, magical elements, and physical humour in the play reflects the need to appeal to a diverse audience.

Plays were performed during the daytime due to the lack of artificial lighting, and the audience would have had to use their imagination to picture the magical forest and the actions of the fairies. The simplicity of the staging encouraged creative and symbolic interpretations of the scenes.

The Role of Actors

All actors during Shakespeare’s time were male, as it was considered improper for women to appear on stage. As a result, young boys would have played the roles of female characters like Hermia, Helena, and Titania. This adds an interesting layer of gender ambiguity, particularly in a play focused on love and identity.

Elizabethan Views on Magic and Dreams

The Power of Magic

In the Elizabethan era, there was a strong belief in magic and the supernatural. Many people believed in the existence of fairies, witches, and other magical creatures. While some saw them as benevolent, others feared their power to disrupt daily life.

The play’s portrayal of magical forces, particularly the love potion, reflects the period's fascination with the unknown and mystical. Puck’s magical meddling with the love lives of the characters mirrors the unpredictability of life and the belief that fate could be influenced by unseen forces.

Dreams and the Unconscious

Dreams were often seen as a reflection of inner desires or as messages from the divine. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the confusion and emotional turmoil experienced by the characters in the forest can be interpreted as dreamlike states. Puck’s final speech, where he asks the audience to think of the play as a dream, reflects the era’s belief in the boundary between reality and dreams.

The title itself references both the midsummer period, traditionally associated with magic and revelry, and the idea of dreams, hinting at the blurred lines between fantasy and reality in the play.

The Elizabethan World View

The Chain of Being

Elizabethans believed in a strict hierarchy known as the Great Chain of Being, where everything in the universe had its place, from God and angels at the top, down to kings, nobles, and peasants, and finally to animals and plants. Disruptions to this natural order, such as rebellion or unnatural events, were thought to lead to chaos.

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the natural order is temporarily disrupted in the forest. The chaos among the lovers and the fairy quarrels mirror this breakdown of order. However, by the end of the play, harmony is restored, and everyone returns to their rightful place in society.

Festivity and the ‘Green World’

The forest in A Midsummer Night’s Dream represents what scholars call the ‘Green World’ – a space outside the constraints of society where characters can escape, experience transformation, and resolve conflicts before returning to the ‘real world’. This ties into the Elizabethan tradition of celebrating festivals like May Day and Midsummer, which involved merriment, mischief, and temporary role reversals, much like the events in the play.

These festivals were also a time for romantic misadventures, making them a fitting backdrop for a play where the main action revolves around confused love and enchantment.

Conclusion

A Midsummer Night’s Dream reflects many aspects of the historical and cultural context of Shakespeare’s time, including the importance of marriage, gender roles, folklore, and the belief in magic. The play’s blend of classical mythology, Elizabethan customs, and social commentary make it a rich and complex work, offering insights into both Elizabethan society and universal human experiences. Understanding this context helps deepen our appreciation of the play’s themes, characters, and its lasting appeal.