Allusion in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Objective: Complete research on allusion in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by
identifying and interpreting allusion, researching its origin and other uses of the allusion, and
analyzing the usage of the specific allusion in context.
1. Choose one of the following allusions that are used within the play:
*The Numbers refer to the Act.Scene.Line of the text using the Class Set of the play. You will have to skim around
that area to find the same lines in the full-text link on my web site.
Allusion
Diana (1.1.73)
Marry (1.2.11)
Cupid (1.1.170) & (2.1.155-165)
Phoebus (1.2.32)
Venus (1.1.171)
Ninus (3.1.97)
Dido (1.1.173)
Antipodes (3.2.55)
Aeneas (1.1.174)
Taurus (3.2.141)
Ariadne (2.1.80)
Acheron (3.2.357)
Neptune (2.1.126)
Aurora’s Harbinger (3.2.380)
Cadmus (4.1.98)
St. Valentine (4.1.140-141)
Jove (5.1.177)
Thracian singer – Orpheus (5.1.49)
Robin Goodfellow - puck (1.2.32-57 mainly)
Sisters Three – Three fates (5.1.339)
Pyramus and Thisby (1.2.12)
Queen Elizabeth (2.1.10 and 2.1.158)
Queen of the Amazons – Hippolyta (1.1.16) Griffin (2.1.232)
2. Find the line in the play which refers to the character. Interpret the use of the allusion.
What is the character saying? Put it in your own words.
3. Complete research on the character by use of Mythology books and reliable online
resources.
a. Take notes on where you find the information and what the information says
about the character you are researching.
b. Summarize the original story of the character.
c. Tell of the origin of the character, when, where, do you know the original author?
4. Analyze the usage of the allusion within the play. Does it fit what Shakespeare is trying
to accomplish or say?
5. Write a brief essay summarizing your finding. Include all of the above information.
a. Your Thesis statement should include the purpose of your essay, which should be
something about exploring the usage of the allusion within the play of A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
b. Your supporting paragraphs should align with the steps followed above. They
should include the quoted from the play, the origin of the character, the
summarization of the story, and the validity of the allusion within the text.
c. Your conclusion should summarize the information and leave the reader with a
purpose for having read your essay.
d. Bonus – Include a great hook and great word usage and sentence fluency in your
writing.
Name ______________________________ Period _______ Allusion ___________________________________
Rubric of allusion analysis essay
Thesis statement includes a clear purpose of
the essay.
Support 1 – 1 supporting paragraph includes
the quote from the play and a paraphrase of the
lines.
1 support summarizes the research of the origin
of the allusion and its validity and purpose
within Shakespeare’s text.
1 support summarizes the story of the allusion.
The essay has a clear conclusion.
Name ______________________________ Period _______ Allusion ___________________________________
Rubric of allusion analysis essay
Thesis statement includes a clear purpose of
the essay.
Support 1 – 1 supporting paragraph includes
the quote from the play and a paraphrase of the
lines.
1 support summarizes the research of the origin
of the allusion and its validity and purpose
within Shakespeare’s text.
1 support summarizes the story of the allusion.
The essay has a clear conclusion.