Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Quarto 1, 1600)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Suzanne Westfall
Not Peer Reviewed
A Midsommer nightes dreame.
Haue with our needles, created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key;
As if our hands, our sides, voyces, and mindes
1235Had bin incorporate. So wee grewe together,
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted;
But yet an vnion in partition,
Two louely berries moulded on one stemme:
So with two seeming bodies, but one heart,
1240Two of the first life coats in heraldry,
Due but to one, and crowned with one creast.
And will you rent our auncient loue asunder,
To ioyne with men, in scorning your poore friend?
It is not friendly, tis not maidenly.
1245Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it;
Though I alone doe fele the iniury.
Her. I am amazed at your words:
I scorne you not. It seemes that you scorne mee.
Hel. Haue you not set Lysander, as in scorne,
1250To follow mee, and praise my eyes and face?
And made your other loue, Demetrius
(Who euen but now did spurne mee with his foote)
To call mee goddesse, nymph, diuine, and rare,
Pretious celestiall? VVherefore speakes he this,
1255To her he hates? And wherfore doth Lysander
Deny your loue (so rich within his soule)
And tender mee (forsooth) affection,
But by your setting on, by your consent?
VVhat, though I be not so in grace as you,
1260So hung vpon with loue, so fortunate?
(But miserable most, to loue vnlou'd)
This you should pittie, rather then despise.
Her. I vnderstand not, what you meane by this.
Hel. I doe. Perseuer, counterfait sad lookes:
1265Make mouthes vpon mee, when I turne my back:
E3
Winke