Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play along with full explanatory notes on facing pages, accounts of the author's life and his theater, and an essay which discusses the play in the light of contemporary interests and concerns. Author William Shakespeare; edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine.

At head of title: Folger Shakespeare library.

Shakespeare's A midsummer night's dream -- Reading Shakespeare's language : A midsummer night's dream -- Shakespeare's life -- Shakespeare's theater -- The publication of Shakespeare's plays -- An introduction to this text -- A midsummer night's dream : text of the play with commentary -- Textual notes -- A midsummer night's dream : a modern perspective / by Catherine Belsey -- Further reading -- Key to famous lines and phrases.