A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is a delightful comedy that weaves together the intersecting stories of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and a mischievous group of fairies.
Reading and Writing Workshop: Exploring Motifs in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Shakespearean Comedy
Session 1: The Theme of Love and Its Complications
Primary Text:Common Motif:
  • Love triangles and unrequited love as comedic devices.
Supporting Public Domain Text:Writing Prompt:
Write a scene where two characters are caught in a comedic misunderstanding over love, using mistaken identity as a plot device.

Session 2: Magic, Mischief, and the Supernatural
Primary Text:Common Motif:
  • The use of magic or supernatural forces to create comic confusion.
Supporting Public Domain Text:Writing Prompt:
Craft a short story where a magical element (potion, spell, or spirit) disrupts the plans of characters, leading to humorous consequences.

Session 3: Disguise and Mistaken Identity
Primary Text:Common Motif:
  • Characters using disguise to manipulate situations or escape predicaments.
Supporting Public Domain Text:Writing Prompt:
Write a comedic monologue from the perspective of a character who has disguised themselves and is now stuck in an awkward situation because of it.

Session 4: The “Play Within a Play” Device
Primary Text:Common Motif:
  • The meta-theatrical element of a play within a play to create humor and commentary.
Supporting Public Domain Text:Writing Prompt:
Create your own short comedic play within a play that reflects or parodies the themes of the larger story.

Session 5: Resolution and Comic Reconciliation
Primary Text:Common Motif:
  • Harmonious endings through weddings, forgiveness, and restored social order.
Supporting Public Domain Text:Writing Prompt:
Write an alternate ending where the resolution doesn’t restore order smoothly, creating a comic twist on the typical Shakespearean happy ending.

Optional Enrichment Session: Foolishness and the Role of the Clown
​Common Motif:
  • The clown or fool as a source of wisdom and comic relief.
Supporting Public Domain Texts:Writing Prompt:
Write a dialogue between two fools from different plays, debating which of them is the wisest while engaging in wordplay.
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