The cuckoo bird is named after the sound it makes. Its behavior of the female laying eggs in the nests of males other than her partner has led to the term "cuckold," referring to a man whose wife has been unfaithful. In A Midsummer...

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lysander suggests to Hermia that they should sleep together, justifying it by their united hearts and their betrothal ("a truth"). A betrothal was as legally binding as an engagement but could not be easily...

In A Midsumer Night's Dream, Titania describes her quarrel with Oberon as disrupting the natural world, causing mists to pull water from the sea and flood rivers, which she personifies as becoming "proud and arrogant." This video...

Before the advent of modern chemistry in the 19th century, one of the most unusual natural coloring agents was a red dye made by grinding up the bodies of insects living on cacti in Central America. This dye was known as "purple in...

In the Bible, anointing is a sacred ceremony marking someone or something as chosen by God, typically involving the pouring of oil. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Robin humorously references this practice in his plan to apply a love...

Tthe word nymph derives from the latin verb "nubrey," to mary in ancient latin. The word, "nymph" referred to a woman who was ready to marry because she had reached sexual maturity. In medieval English, however, nymph was used to refer...

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Helena references the myth of Apollo and Daphne. Cupid's arrows cause Apollo to love Daphne and Daphne to detest Apollo, leading to her transformation into a laurel tree as Apollo nearly captures her. Apollo...

The word "adamant" originates from the Latin word "aramas," meaning a hard stone, and has evolved to denote anything unbreakable. In Shakespeare's era, "adamant" specifically referred to a lodestone or naturally occurring magnet,...

The term "vestal" originates from Vesta, an ancient Roman goddess, and was initially associated with the Vestal Virgins who served her temple in Rome, pledging thirty years of chastity. By Shakespeare's time, "vestal" had broadened to...

Less than a decade before Shakespeare wrote "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the English Navy had defeated the Spanish Armada, paving the way for English dominance in global trade, notably through the establishment of the East India Trading...

The term "henchman" originates from the German word "hangst," meaning a male horse, and initially described a servant who walked beside the king or noblemen while they rode their horses. By Shakespeare's time, it referred to boys and...

In Shakespeare's era, "pensioners" referred to a group of noblemen closely associated with the English monarch, forming an honor guard and receiving a pension for their service. These gentleman pensioners were known for their extravagant...

In Shakespeare's time, excessive rain posed as much risk to agriculture and livestock as drought did, leading to crop rot, washaways, and livestock drowning. This not only affected farmers negatively but also disrupted recreational...

Learn how the expression "hold or cut bowstrings" traces back to medieval warfare tactics. At that time, archers often had to quickly decide whether to stand their ground and continue shooting or retreat and cut their bowstrings to...

The word "mew" originates from the Latin word "mutate," which means to change, and is the root of the English word "mutate." However, "mew" is specifically used to describe the molting process of a bird. This term has been extended...

The term "triumph" originally comes from the Latin "triumpus," signifying the highest honor bestowed by the Roman Empire for a significant military victory. By Shakespeare's era, "triumph" had evolved to denote any public celebration, as...

In affirming her love for Lysander, Hermia swears by two symbols from ancient mythology. The doves represent lifelong marriage and fidelity due to their portrayal alongside Venus, the goddess of love. The fire that burned Dido, the...

This video explores the etymology and historical context of the use of the word "gaud," relating it to a Latin word "gaudere," meaning to rejoice, and its association with a special kind of bead on a Catholic Rosary. It also touches on...

Watch this video to learn about Shakespeare’s fascinating world, and its influence on the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Watch the Elizabethan era come to life and come to a deeper understanding of Elizabethan comedy, views on gender,...

Love is in the air! Athens is abuzz with preparations for Theseus’ marriage to Hippolyta. Meanwhile, the younger Athenians are negotiating a tricky love triangle: Lysander and Hermia are in love, but Hermia’s father wants her to marry...

ARCHIVAL - Theatre, Waterloo, London, UK. Midsummers Night Dream. 1950

ARCHIVAL - Theatre, Waterloo, London, UK. Midsummers Night Dream. 1950

Nate Butler at the 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Annual Celebrity All-Star Charity Weekend Presented by LA Stars at House of Blues in West Hollywood, California on July 8, 2006. (Footage by WireImage Video/Getty Images)

Ticket at the 'William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream' Premiere at the Bruin Theatre in Westwood, California on April 26, 1999. (Footage by WireImage Video/Getty Images)