There is a contrast between the nobility and the working class. Theseus, the Duke, speaks in a sophisticated way, ‘now, fair Hyppolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace’. The use of blank verse represents intelligence and nobility, establishing that he is very important, on the other hand, Bottom whom is an artisan uses prose, “I see their knavery, this is to make an ass of me”, this is ordinary written language. Shakespeare uses these types of structure to portray distinct characterisation; therefore the audience will gain a greater understanding of the characters and their love.
As the scene shifts into the woods, there is an immediate change in tone and images. In Athens the tone was strict and firm, ‘upon that day either prepare to die’. Blank verse was used and images portrayed tradition. However, in the woods the tone is calm and images seem to be linked closely to nature. ‘Therefore the winds piping to us in vain, as in revenge have sucked up the sea’. The natural images are used to describe true love.
Unlike the fearful Athens, the wood’s is free, but vulnerable to chaos. Puk, a mischievous fairy, accidentally muddles the characters up, when carrying out Oberon’s commands. Therefore, confusion begins; this allows different aspects of love to be explored. Puk’s language is full of natural images but containing within them the drama of the forest. ‘And now they never met in groove or green, by fountain clear or spangled starlight sheen’.
Love in the woods is lustful and infatuated. Confusion is created, allowing the readers to be drawn into the play. Puk’s mischievousness and the error of his judgement are used as comic relief. Lightening the play, to an extent that the audience will be more eager to find out what happens next.
In the woods, we learn that the illusion of love can often lead to anger and jealousy. In act 3, scene 2, we see the two lovers, Hermia and Lysander, having an argument, ‘hang off, thou cat, thou burr, vile thing, get loose’. Shakespeare cleverly makes the once lovers, Hermia and Lysander insult each other, for the fact that ‘the course of true love never did run smooth’. Shakespeare not only uses confusion to explore the theme of love, he also substitutes love for lust, which demonstrates how love can become an illusion.
The absurd lust of Titania and Bottom-the ass head, defines all social barriers. ‘Thou art wise as thou art beautiful’. This speech from Titania to Bottom would be seen as comic relief. The two lovers would attract attention because her love seems very imposible, meaning that love is an illusion, and illusion can become as well comic as an aspect of self-deception.
Shakespeare conveys lust by the tone of expression which is used. Unlike the tone of love, which has uses an elegant language; the tone of lust is wild and extravagant. Titania awakes to see the ass-headed bottom, ‘mine ear is much enthralled to thy shape… on the first view, to say, to swear I love thee’.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare makes his words full of meaning. He often gets a character to tell a story that is rich in ideas; it is more like a painting. These pictures are formed by the use of figurative language such as similes and metaphors to enrich the depth of sensed experience. In the second speech of the play, Hippolyta uses a simile, ‘and then the moon, like to silver bow now bent in heaven’. This use of simile creates a more vivid and clear picture of love and what it represents to each character.
As the potion wears off, we find that the two young lovers, Hermia and Lysander establish that their love for each other is sacred. Helena and Demetrius overcome all that has happened and have paired off together.
We now see that love is a source of comedy, through the badly acted play of ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’, and celebration of the wedding of Thesus and Hippolyta. Far from simply providing a shallow entertainment, Shakespeare presents a dynamic exploration of the comic nature of love.
The language of love in the play ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’ is a fuelled exaggeration. Here the heart broken Thisbe is comparing her dead lover to a variety of flowers, fruits and vegetables, ‘these lily lips, this cherry nose’. Shakespeare uses such exaggeration in the language to ease the tensions, and to soften the play so that the ending is optimistic rather than a tragic, possibly if performed for a wedding.
The wedding at the end of the play, suggests that Shakespeare’s exploration of the theme of love is to bring us closer to the nature of the reconciliation harmony which it embodies. This is because everyone is peacefully engaging with each other and enjoying the play, since the conflict has been resolved. Not only this, but different social classes emerge together. This is paralleled with, the relationship between Titaina and Oberon.
Shakespeare explores the theme of love by the tensions built up to create comic resolutions, therefore helping to diffuse possibly unpleasant impact of themes. Since it turns out to be a dream, the audience will not feel offended by the aspects Shakespeare explored.
Finally, Shakespeare’s exploration of love is an acknowledgement of its complex and powerful nature. Potentially both tragic and comic but never dull.
