Shakespeare's comedy appears to be more of an indirect attack on the sexist attitudes of the times than anything else. The Bard revolutionized drama in more ways than one in his time. He was not only a pioneer in establishing it as a socially relevant art form, but used it as social commentary in a way that left his targets befuddled. It was centuries later as Sartre satirized the Nazi Empire in Vichy France until we would again see the like of such literary subterfuge sailing way over the heads of the subjects in question.

Shakespeare went on record about social hypocrisy in "Taming of the Shrew", public corruption in "Measure for Measure", and racism in "Merchant of Venice". In "Dream" he features female characters of varying degrees of moral character pitted against male protagonists who display the crudest characteristics of the species. He uses comedy to offset the social innuendos, distracting his audiences with enchanted forestry that ironically got him in more hot water than the indictment of the overt sexism of the times.

Theseus, king of Athens, intends to marry Hippolyta, an Amazon captive taken in conquest. The mood is further soured by Egeus, who finds his preferred son-in-law Demetrius jilted in favor of Lysander, the love of daughter Hermia's life. Despite the threats of Theseus and Egeus, Lysander and Hermia decide to elope. They flee into the forest where the locals are preparing a play in honor of the King's upcoming wedding. The forest spirits, meanwhile, are experiencing similar difficulties as Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, are in the midst of a lovers' squabble. Titania hurls herself into the forest as does Demetrius, in search of Lysander and Hermia, with a rejected Helena on his heels. Theseus sends Puck, lord of mischief, after Titania and Demetrius with a love potion to alter their fates to his own liking. Only the ploy fails miserably as both targets focus their emotions on the wrong people. Eventually things are resolved, and a triple wedding is the happy result.

Problem we have is the attitudes of our male protagonists. Theseus and Oberon, kings of their respective worlds, unashamedly force their wills on their women. So does Egeus without regard for his daughter's wishes. Demetrius also seeks to do so, while showing utter contempt for Helena who is portrayed as an attractive young woman. Lysander, under the spell of Puck, proceeds to treat Hermia with equally unwarranted disgust as he and Demetrius vie for Helena's charms. Puck appears as a heartless wretch whose sole purpose in life is the bedevilment of anyone he chooses. Even Bottom is transformed into an ass which makes him perfect for Titania's humiliation.

Interestingly, this play has been attacked by reactionary clergyman over the centuries for its celebration of mystical beings in the forest scenes. The use of potions and transformations is alleged to promote witchcraft and the occult, the sexual innuendos serving to fan the flames. It is bemusing to note that nothing is ever mentioned about the demeaning attitude shown towards the women in the plot.

Perhaps they believe not only that women should be seen and not heard, but that Shakespeare purposely gave them no voice to begin with. Consider that their silence over the years has become somewhat deafening.