What effects and atmosphere does Shakespeare create in Act 3 scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'? How does he achieve this?

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Emma Lerway

What effects and atmosphere does Shakespeare create in Act 3 scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'? How does he achieve this?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy written by Shakespeare in the Elizabethan times, still performed in the present day.  At Act 3 scene 2 we are probably at the height of confusion in the play.  Each of the four lovers loves someone who does not love them. Demetrius loves Hermia, Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Helena and Helena loves Demetrius.  All this chaos is down to Puck, a mischievous fairy whose job is to stir up trouble to amuse the fairy King.  Not only has he been distorting the lives of humans, but also the fairy Queen.  She is momentarily in love with a mortal with an ass' head (also as a consequence of Puck's actions).

The audience has the advantage at this point as they are all knowing, making them feel as though they are a little superior.  They know that the fairies exist and all of Puck's activities.  The audience is expecting that Oberon will sort out the mess after seeing the chaos that Puck's actions have caused.

At the beginning of the scene we see Puck describing how he successfully 'An ass's nole fixed upon' Bottom's head and how he then fabricated the love between him and Titania. Puck is very pleased with himself at all the upheaval he has induced.  The audience sees his mischievous and naughty side once more.  It also tells the audience that Puck is dedicated to pleasing his King.  It is obvious that Puck thinks very little of 'mortals'.  He describes them as 'The shallowest thick-skin of that barren sort' making them seem very stupid.  And also as 'wild geese' which are seen as senseless annoying animals.

In this part of the scene rhyming couplets are used a lot. This not only gives the fairies a lighter feel to the way that they talk, making it nicer and easier to listen to, but it also makes what Puck is saying far more exciting. This adds to the atmosphere as Puck will obviously be talking very fast, so it will make the speech seem to move at an even quicker pace.

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Shortly after Puck and Oberon meet to talk, Hermia enters with Demetrius. The two are fighting. Hermia and Lysander used to both love one another, but because of Pucks actions Lysander now loves Helena. Demetrius, still in love with Hermia, is trying to convince her that he did not kill Lysander. This part of the scene is far more serious and somber than the light hearted atmosphere with Oberon and Puck. There is a lot of talk of death. 'thou has murdered him' is a very direct statement from Hermia, showing the desperation of her situation. Yet Demetrius, not ...

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