One reason there’s so little sun and so much moon is that the play is A Midsummer Night’s Dream rather than A Midsummer Day’s Dream. The action takes place at night and mostly in a fairy realm, so moon is the appropriate heavenly body.

The best way to understand Shakespeare’s language and imagery is to see a performance. After all, these are plays, not novels. It’s quite possible you can find a film of the play at your local video store or through Netflix. Also, summer is a very popular time to put on Shakespeare in the Park productions, many of which are free or can be watched for a very low cost. When you can hear the words spoken well and see them matched with action, it’s easier to find your way into the unfamiliar language structure.

If you’re still having trouble following the story, pick up the Cliff’s Notes. You can find them at your local bookstore, and they aren’t very expensive.

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