At the start of the Elizabethan era, women had little rights and almost no say in their own lives. ... Women did not often speak out about their situation because they feared the response they would receive from men. ... Elizabeth "was answerable to no male member of the family. ... Through his plays, Shakespeare began to openly support feminist ideology. ... Here, the men become the oppressed group who have no control over their own destinies. ...

• Word Count: 657
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," shows the use of "play" to simultaneously disguise and transmit essential but unpalatable truths. ... In the first scene of act I, Shakespeare introduces us to the patriarchal world of the court. ... Bottom says, "Ladies, Fair ladies I would entreat you, not to fear, not to tremble: my life for yours. ... No! I am no such thing; I am a man as other men are" (III.i.39-44). ...

• Word Count: 855
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Two themes present in many of Shakespeare's plays, the transition of reality into only a dream and the absurd nature of love form a large part of the dramatic content of A Midsummer Night's Dream. In Act Four Oberon tells Titania that Bottom will "think no more of the night's accidents / But as the fierce vexation of a dream" (IV.i.65-66). ... Turning a fearful nightmare into a fun song is crucial to understanding what Shakespeare has done with the play. ... Thus Shakespeare is making a further comment about the nature of plays and acting, showing them to be a medium by which ou...

• Word Count: 922
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In Shakespearean terms, a fool is usually a commoner or a clever peasant that uses their skill and wit to out-do those of a higher social status, in that sense, they are historically accurate to the real fools of their time period, but Shakespeare usually portrays his fools as caricatures of their real-life counterparts for dramatic effect, for example; by giving the fool the ability to use magic, Shakespeare created extensive opportunities for distinct and memorable situations to unfold and entertain his audience. ... " because the audience can see that Bottom actually has the head of an...

• Word Count: 975
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate