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A Midsummer Night's Dreamwas written around 1595-6 and within it there is much opportunity for reference to Shakespeare's contemporary world and life.
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Contextualisation. A little background information. A Midsummer Night's Dream was written around 1595-6 and within it there is much opportunity for reference to Shakespeare's contemporary world and life. The play's title, for example, refers to an old English holiday custom on the night of "Midsummer's Eve" or summer solstice on June 23rd. On this night English men and women would tell stories of fairies and witchcraft. It was believed that spirits were particularly active on this night. The play also refers to the rite of May or "Maying". This is a familiar English tradition that took place on the first night of May, where young men and women could engage in singing and dancing (and possibly more) in the woods outside their towns. It is likely this is where Shakespeare got the ideas for setting and themes. At the time the play was written these traditions were under attack...
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