SHAKESPEARE A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S EDITED WITH A LIFE OF SHAKESPEARE, AN ACCOUNT OF BY SAMUEL THURBER, JR. NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL, NEWTONVILLE AND A. B. DE MILLE SECRETARY OF THE NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION FOREWORD THE aim of this edition is to present the play in a simple and straightforward manner, supplying such information as may be most helpful to those who have no ready access to good libraries. Modern high school students have much to occupy their attention; they are not inclined, as a rule, to search out references to other books. Many of them approach the reading of the classics in general, and of Shakespeare's plays in particular, with little or no literary background; many are handicapped, too, by the growth in school attendance and the consequent inadequacy of reference material. For these reasons the following features have been introduced into this edition of the play: an account of Shakespeare, the man his life, work, reputation, and the theatre for which he wrote; a brief summary of facts relating to the sources and publication of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"; some suggestions for acting the play in schools; a full and informational body of notes; and a list of practical topics for oral and written composition. It is hoped that the material which the editors have thus incorporated in the Appendix will not only increase the interest of the student, but may also serve to lighten the labor of the teacher. The illustrations facing pages 1, 23, 40, 50, and 56 are used by permission of Messrs. D. Appleton and Company. SAMUEL THURBER, JR. A. B. DE MILLE |