In the 17th Century we see that the way things were done was very different to now. We know this from the fact that Egeus was allowed to decide who Hermia would marry even if she didn’t love that person. The father’s role played a very big part in those times.
‘To you father should as a god,’
The penalty for not listening to her father would be that she would die or have to become a nun.
‘Either to die the death’
‘You can endure the livery of a num’
From the following statements above we notice the fact that Samuel Pepy’s thought that this play was ridiculous but from the quotes we see that this was in fact a very interesting subject. We also should see that the different ages have made a dramatic change in traditions, and fathers no longer choose a husband for their daughters unless it is in their religion or beliefs.
The love displayed between the four lovers gives great humour as the way some things are done are quite different to how things are done now.
In act 1 sc 2 we come to the mechanicals which bring great humour to the audience because as these Athenian workmen prepare to make this play for Theseus and Hyppolyta there come some difficulties.
Firstly the name of the play is
‘The most lamentable comedy, and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe’
This title contradicts itself because it’s a sad and regretful, yet a funny comedy, and the cruelest death. When you think about this you wouldn’t think that a sad and cruel death could still be funny play, it just seems very illogical.
The workmen are then introduced to their characters and Bottom the weaver brings more humour into the play because he wants to be all the parts in the play which is absolutely impossible, humour is also created by the different language he uses as he again to contradicts himself being unaware of what he is actually saying.
‘I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make a split’.
‘Let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice’
This is contradicting because if you speak in a monstrous voice u can’t speak in a little voice as well which shows that Bottom had very little knowledge.
This shows Bottom as a very over enthusiastic person as he is trying to persuade Quince that he would be a good Thisbe by acting it with expression.
‘Let me play the lion too’.
‘I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar as gently as any sucking dove; I will roar you an’twere any nightingale’.
This is contradicting because Bottom uses aggravate which makes things worse so we would assume that he really wants a word like moderate, and then it would seem as if he would have some control. He also confuses two models of gentleness- the sucking duck and the sitting dove, the dove is a very peaceful creature. Also a nightingale is a small bird that sings very sweetly in the evening therefore can not be compared with that of a lions roar.
In Act 2 sc1 the fairies are introduced but are still not seen by the mechanicals. By this point in the play I think that the audience are anticipating humour before Demetrius and Helena enter the room because when Oberon told puck to get the love juice the audience are aware of what’s going to happen before the characters are, therefore they know that when the love juice is placed upon Titania’s eyes Oberon could put the most ugliest thing or person in front of her which means that she would fall in love with it no matter how ugly it may be.
The love shown between Demetrius and Helena is most comical as it seems strange that a man is running away from a woman, which you wouldn’t expect from a man but from a woman. However, I say this not to be sexist, but to point out that in those times women were known as the weaker vessels and were very much dependant upon men to take the lead. However, when comparing women of today I believe there is a shift and that women are a lot more forward now than ever before. Although this play could be just telling one that women have always been forward, but because of television and media it is more publicised with chat shows and famous female movie stars showing their promiscuities.
‘Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather in plainest truth tell you I do not nor I cannot love you?’
‘I’ll run from thee and hide me in thy brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts’.
In addition as that Helena refers to herself as a spaniel
‘I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius the more you beat me, I will fawn on you: Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me, Neglect me, Lose me, only give me leave, Unworthy as I am, to follow you.’
This brings us back to the point that love is unpredictable and unreasonable and can sometimes be blind which is very true.
In act 2 sc 2 we come to Hermia and Lysander as they are trying to escape Athens so that they can be married with the law of Athens with them. This act appeared quite humorous, however, it showed their commitment and how strong and powerful their love was for each other.
‘But gentle friend for love and courtesy, Lie further off, in human modesty’.
‘So far be distant; and, good night, sweet friend. Thy love ne’er alter till thy sweet life end!’
In addition to their modesty things start to go wrong for the four lovers, which is very amusing for the audience as there are more aware of what’s going on than the characters are. After Puck makes the mistake of placing the love juice on Lysander, Helena comes along and awakes him from his sleep causing the love circle to start.
This creates humour for the four lovers because Demetrius is running away from Helena and Helena is running away from Lysander and Hermia is running after Lysander.
I would make this situation very funny by having all four lovers running around after each other in the order that they are running in. So I would have one person running out onto the stage at a time.
I like the twist in the narrative that in the beginning Demetrius never loved Helena and now was deeply in love with her She finds this strange and she thinks that he is mocking her. Lysander who has always loved Hermia and is now in love with Helena she also finds this strange and thinks that they are in it together.
