18th century A Midsummer Night's Dream

horace howard furness defended midsummer night s dream claims of inconsistency, , felt did not detract quality of play.

horace howard furness, defending play in 1895, felt apparent inconsistency did not detract play s quality. in 1971, neil taylor argued there double time-scheme in play, making seem last minimum of 4 nights timeless. in 1977, anne paolucci argued play lasts 5 days.

william duff, writing in 1770s, recommended play. felt depiction of supernatural among shakespeare s strengths, not weaknesses. praised poetry , wit of fairies, , quality of verse involved. contemporary francis gentleman, admirer of shakespeare, less appreciative of play. felt poetry, characterisation, , originality of play strengths, major weaknesses puerile (childishly silly , immature) plot , consists of odd mixture of incidents. connection of incidents each other seemed rather forced gentleman.

edmond malone, shakespearean scholar , critic of late 18th century, found supposed flaw in particular play, lack of proper decorum. found more exalted characters (the aristocrats of athens) subservient interests of beneath them. in other words, lower-class characters play larger roles betters , overshadow them. found grave error of writer. malone thought play had , immature work of shakespeare and, implication, older writer know better. malone s main argument seems derive classism of era. assumes aristocrats had receive more attention in narrative , more important, more distinguished, , better lower class.