this was awesome, i needed to purchase extra books for a classroom for children that could not obtain their own coppies. this worked out great because the local book stores only had one copy and i needed 5. thank you.

This is my favorite comedy by Shakespeare, but it is so much more than that. It also has elements of romance, fantasy, Greek mythology and adventure. The main characters, in search of romance, get lost in a forest of talking animals and fairies. Through a series of chaotic events the two worlds collide and suddenly everyone becomes confused about who they were in love with. Dream and reality become one in this fairytale that I believe is one of Shakespeare's most creative stories.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (The New Folger Library Shakespeare)

This is a terrific book, particularly for those who have not studied Shakespeare or who want to brush up on the play before seeing it performed. The play's text is printed on the right-hand pages, with explanations of archaic or unfamiliar words, terms, meanings, characters, etc. printed on the left-hand pages. Can't take the class? Buy this beautiful little book. I hope the New Folger Libaray publishes similar volumes for all of Shakespeare's plays.

To learn about the historical figures, events, and beliefs in Shakespeare's plays, find a new or used copy Azimov's Guide to Shakespeare. Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Works of Shakespeare. Azimov presents a lucid, interesting chapter on every play. As does Harold Bloom Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human.

-- Bill Brenner

For some bizarre reason, schools push the most painfully boring works by any author. In Shakespeare's case, you get handed a copy of "The Tempest", when you could get this. The underlying theory appears to be that if a book is interesting, lively, and enjoyable, it can't be good (upon this reflection, I think Arts departments get up to the same thing, lord knows it's the NEA's theory).

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is interesting, lively, and enjoyable. On the eve of the wedding of King Thesseus and Queen Hippolyta, the young and dreadfully confused lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius get caught in the middle of an old married couple's spat. The old married couple is Oberon and Titania, who have what could mildly be described as a strained marriage. Oh yes, Oberon and Titania are the king and queen of Faerie.

This is Shakespearean comedy at its best. Wordplay and physical comedy abound, and timeless aspects of human nature are shown at their most sublime and ridiculous. I loved it.

E.M. Van Court

My daughter needed this for a school assignment. It worked out well for her, good price.