The Influence of Classical Mythology on Shakespeare’s Plays, Particularly A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest

Classical mythology plays a significant role in several of Shakespeare’s works, enriching the narrative with references to gods, mythic stories, and archetypal characters. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, Shakespeare draws from Greek and Roman mythology to explore themes of love, magic, and the human condition.

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare draws upon classical mythology through characters like Oberon, the king of the fairies, and Titania, his queen, both of whom are figures in ancient mythology. The play also references Puck, a mischievous fairy who echoes the trickster figures in classical folklore. The love triangle between Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius, manipulated by the magical potions, mirrors the chaotic and whimsical nature of love often found in classical myths. Shakespeare’s use of mythological figures highlights the play’s themes of love, illusion, and transformation, and how these forces are as unpredictable and uncontrollable as the gods themselves in classical mythology.

In The Tempest, Shakespeare incorporates elements of classical mythology through the character of Prospero, who embodies the archetype of the magician, a figure common in mythic traditions. The island in The Tempest can be seen as a magical realm akin to the mythological realms of gods and spirits. Ariel, the spirit who serves Prospero, has attributes similar to classical nymphs or lesser gods, reinforcing the mythological tone of the play. Shakespeare uses these mythological references to explore themes of power, control, forgiveness, and redemption, with Prospero ultimately relinquishing his magical powers, similar to how mythic heroes often must give up their divine gifts to restore balance.

Shakespeare’s use of classical mythology in both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest not only adds depth to the plays but also connects them to a broader literary tradition, using myth to address timeless human concerns.