ABSTRACT
William Shakespeare was born in England in April of 1564, and 52 years later, died in April of 1616. In between he married, had children, left his home in Stratford, went to London, and became an actor and playwright. He didn't leave many biographical markers, just the indelible marks of the masterpieces he wrote. The fact that Shakespeare's plays continue to live on the stage and the page is a great tribute to his characters, his gripping and sometimes uproarious plots of human passion and frailty, and his beautiful and powerful use of language. Shakespeare created characters that are both universal and specifically individual, one major key to longevity in theatrical literature. A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most loved and frequently performed comedies. It has been played nonstop for more than 400 years because of its universal appeal as a romantic comedy with slapstick elements that enhance its humorous effect.
