Context & Writers Techniques (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Context & Writer's Techniques

Context in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Shakespeare's Life

• Born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
• Attended a local grammar school, where he studied Latin and classical texts.
• Moved to London in the late 1580s to pursue a career in theatre.
• Became a prominent playwright and actor by 1592.
• Wrote for the acting troupe Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
• Married Anne Hathaway in 1582; had three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.
• Hamnet, his only son, died at age 11.
• Died in April 1616 at age 52.

History of the Play

• Written between 1595 and 1596.

• Likely first performed at an aristocratic wedding or the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

• The initial reception was positive and appreciated for its whimsical and imaginative qualities.

• Early performances were popular, delighting audiences with its magical elements and comedic twists.

• Adapted and performed in various forms over the centuries, with notable adaptations including film versions by Max Reinhardt (1935) and Michael Hoffman (1999). Textual History

• First Quarto (1600): The first printed version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

• First Folio (1623): Published posthumously in Shakespeare's First Folio with minor textual differences from the Quarto.

• Differences: Some variations between the Quarto and Folio versions lead to modern editions that often merge elements from both.

Literary Contexts

The Genre of the Play

• Comedy: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a comedy, characterised by its humourous elements, misunderstandings, and happy resolution.

• Romantic Comedy: Incorporates elements of romantic comedy, focusing on the trials and tribulations of lovers. Historical and Political Context

• Elizabethan Era: Written during the Elizabethan era, a time of cultural flowering and relative political stability under Queen Elizabeth I.

• Aristocratic Weddings: Often associated with aristocratic weddings, reflecting the period's customs and celebrations.

• Mythological References: Draws on classical mythology and folklore, reflecting contemporary interests in ancient cultures and traditions. Philosophical Context

• Renaissance Humanism: Influenced by Renaissance humanism, emphasising individual potential and the exploration of human emotions.

• Nature and Transformation: Reflects Renaissance fascination with the natural world and the idea of transformation and change. Cultural and Social Context

• Social Hierarchy and Class: Reflects the social hierarchy of the time, with characters from different social classes interacting and influencing each other.

• Gender Roles: Explores the roles and expectations of men and women, particularly through the characters of Hermia, Helena, and Titania.

• Marriage and Festivity: Central themes of marriage and festivity, highlighting the importance of social harmony and celebration.

• Magic and Folklore: Draws on contemporary beliefs in magic and folklore, particularly through the characters of the fairies. Literary Influences

• Classical Sources: Influenced by works of Ovid, particularly "Metamorphoses", and the comedies of Plautus and Terence.

• English Folklore: Incorporates elements of English folklore and fairy lore, particularly in the depiction of Oberon, Titania, and Puck.

Writer's Techniques in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Verse and Prose

Philosophical Context

• Blank Verse: Used primarily by the noble characters, giving their speech a formal and elevated tone. This helps to distinguish the social status of the characters.

• Prose: Employed by the Mechanicals and sometimes by characters in more relaxed or humourous situations, adding a comedic and informal touch to their interactions. Imagery and Metaphor

• Nature Imagery: Frequent references to nature, plants, and the moon, enhance the play's fairy-tale atmosphere and connect to themes of love and transformation.

• Examples: The imagery of flowers and forests is central, with the magic flower's juice causing characters to fall in love.

• Light and Dark Imagery: Symbolises the contrast between reality and illusion, order and chaos.

• Examples: The moon is a recurring symbol representing both romance and the passage of time. Symbolic Language

• Dreams and Illusions: Language related to dreams and illusions underscores the play's themes of fantasy versus reality.

• Examples: Puck's final speech refers to the play as a dream, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

• Magic and Transformation: Symbolises the transformative power of love and the fluidity of identity.

• Examples: The magic flower's juice alters perceptions and affections.

Structure and Plot Devices

Multiple Plotlines

• The play intertwines several plotlines involving the Athenian lovers, the fairies, and the Mechanicals, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories.

• Effect: The multiple plotlines converge in the forest, highlighting the theme of transformation and the interplay between order and chaos. Play-within-a-Play

• The Mechanicals' performance of "Pyramus and Thisbe" serves as a comic reflexion of the main themes and adds a layer of meta-theatricality.

• Effect: This device allows Shakespeare to explore the nature of theatre and illusion, and to provide comic relief. Dramatic Irony

• The audience is aware of information that the characters are not, creating humour and enhancing the themes of misunderstanding and confusion.

• Examples: The audience knows about Puck's mistake with the love potion, leading to humourous situations among the lovers. Foreshadowing

• Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to hint at the play's resolution and to build anticipation.

• Examples: Oberon's plan to use the love potion foreshadows the eventual resolution of the lovers' conflicts.

Characterization Techniques

Complex Characters

• Shakespeare creates characters with distinct and exaggerated traits, enhancing the play's comedic and fantastical elements.

• Puck: A mischievous fairy who embodies the play's themes of chaos and transformation.

• Bottom: A humourous and self-important character whose transformation into an ass highlights the play's exploration of identity and perception. Soliloquies and Asides

• These provide insight into characters' inner thoughts and motivations, often adding to the comedic or dramatic effect.

• Examples: Puck's soliloquies offer insight into his mischievous nature and his view of human folly. Dynamic Interactions

• The interactions between characters, especially the lovers and the fairies, are marked by misunderstandings, transformations, and reconciliations.

• Examples: The shifting affections among the lovers create comedic tension and highlight the theme of love's irrationality.

Dramatic Techniques

Irony and Paradox

• Shakespeare employs irony and paradox to underscore the play's themes of appearance versus reality and the transformative power of love.

• Examples: The irony of the love potion causes characters to fall in and out of love unpredictably.

• Paradox: The idea that the irrational and chaotic events in the forest lead to a harmonious resolution. Symbolism and Motifs

• The Moon: Symbolises both romance and the passage of time, appearing throughout the play in various contexts.

• Dreams and Illusions: Represent the fluid boundary between reality and fantasy, a central theme of the play. Catharsis and Comic Relief

• Catharsis: The play's resolution provides a cathartic experience for the audience as order is restored and conflicts are resolved.

• Comic Relief: The antics of the Mechanicals and the misunderstandings among the lovers provide humour and lighten the mood.

Sound and Rhythm

Alliteration and Assonance

• Shakespeare uses alliteration and assonance to enhance the musicality and whimsical quality of the dialogue.
• Examples: The rhythmic and playful language of the fairies, such as in Puck's and Oberon's speeches.

Stagecraft and Theatricality

Visual Spectacle

• Shakespeare's descriptions and stage directions create a vivid and fantastical visual spectacle, particularly in the enchanted forest.

• Effect: These elements enhance the magical and otherworldly atmosphere of the play. Fluid Scene Changes

• Rapid shifts in location, particularly between Athens and the forest, create a dynamic and fluid narrative.

• Effect: This technique underscores the play's exploration of transformation and the boundary between reality and fantasy Use of Props and Costumes

• Props and costumes play a significant role in the play's theatricality, especially in the Mechanicals' performance and the fairies' appearances.

• Examples: Bottom's transformation with the ass's head and the fairy costumes that enhance the whimsical elements.