A Midsummer Night's Dream was written in 16th century England. In 1595, life was, as you can imagine, very different. During this period Queen Elizabeth I was at the throne. England was a Christian country, and people greatly honored the queen. Shakespeare was Elizabeth I's poet laureate, so his work was highly valued across England. Women were treated as second-class citizens. In lower-class families, girls were not usually educated. They were expected to do domestic jobs and look after children. In the upper-class homes things were different. Girls were educated, but they did not have a free opinion. Women did not have any rights; they had no choice in what they did with their lives or whom they married. The girl's father would choose a suitor for her (usually being the wealthiest man available), and she was expected to marry him. In theatre, men would play the part of women. The Elizabethans strongly believed in the supernatural. Few aspects of sixteenth-century life were not affected by the belief in witchcraft—fairies and sorcerers as being real. Magic was not as we see it today; things that young children believe are compelling and real. Their beliefs in god were very much related to those of witches and demons. If you had sinned, people believed you had the devil in you.
             In a Midsummer Night's Dream, different plots are linked to form a comical play based on magic and love. The play is set in an enchanting forest amongst the cowslips; hidden deep in the wood is the fairy kingdom.
             I personally think that Shakespeare was very clever in how he devised 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' as he has three outstanding elements of entertainment; love, magic, and comedy represented with different stories and characters. The Lovers represent the effects and powers of love. Hermia is prepared to give her life up for the man she loves. In a way, Shakespeare has adopted a modern view of things, as Hermia's character is not a ...