Shakespeare himself is a character in the opera as are Elizabeth I and Falstaff .
Although it shares the French title for Shakespeare 's play , A Midsummer Night 's Dream , its plot is not based on the play .
Shakespeare himself is a Shakespeare in the opera as are Elizabeth I and Falstaff .
Although it shares the French title for Shakespeare 's play , A Midsummer Night 's Dream , its plot is not based on the play .