A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare - Summary of Theme and Narrative

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comic play written by Shakespeare. It is set in the ancient times. The play begins and ends in the Greek city of Athens, but most of the action takes place in a nearby wood. This is a magical place where a series of tricks are played on several of the characters by a group of fairies and spirits. The play is about the nature of love. The theme of love provides opportunities for comedy, and serious social comment. Shakespeare portrays a clear difference between the natural state of genuine love and the illusion generated by love that has no substance. Nothing can stand in the way of true love, even if 'the course of true love never did run smooth.' A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in three groups. The groups contrast vividly: the sophisticated yet earth bound Theseus and Hippolyta; the homespun vulgarity of Bottom and the workmen; and the ephemeral delicacy of the fairies. The first to come forth on stage are the Athenian nobles, which sub-divide themselves into four lovers and the rest of the court. Next, are the fairies; the fairies embody the force of nature. The effect of this personification is to make the cosmos seem a place, which, though it may be unpredictable and dangerous, is ultimately friendly to the humans, and finally the Athenian craftsmen. The play-within-a play that makes up most of act 5 scene1 it is used to represent,

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The question to be answered is whether or not Midsummer Night's Dream suggests happiness is to be found in marriage.

A Midsummer Night's Dream. The question to be answered is whether or not Midsummer Night's Dream suggests happiness is to be found in marriage. In Act 1,Scene 1 Hermia has been brought to court by her father Egeus. This is because Hermia refuses to marry her father's choice of husband, Demetrius. Hermia is deeply in love with Lysander, Egeus won't let be Lysander be Hermia's husband. Egeus hates Lysander and won't let him marry Hermia shown by this ". Egeus gives Hermia three choices either to become a nun, obeying her father's wishes or face the ultimatum of death. Theseus, the Duke of Athens confirms that the Athenian law demands that she be obedient to her father, following his wishes, her death or to live her life as a nun. Lysander and Demetrius state their claim to Hermia. Lysander who Hermia is still deeply in love with tries to win her father's trust by getting Demetrius distrusted. Lysander tries to get Demetrius in trouble by saying that he has had a love relationship with Helena and broke her heart. Helena still cherishes the as a love idol. While this is happening Hermia has been given four days to decide her own fate. Lysander and Hermia both agree to run away together to his aunt's house and marry away from the city where Athenian Law cannot reach them. This shows that they have a very strong love relationship and are desperate to get married. Lysander and

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Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" Fool Hearted In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" the mortal teenage characters fall in love foolishly, and the character Bottom states, "O what fools these mortals be". They are foolish because they act like children. Although Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena appear grown-up, when they are in love they act foolishly. The four teenage lovers are fools. Demetrius is a fool because he is unaware that his love changes through out the play. At the start of the play Demetrius does not love Helena. (II ii,line 188) Demetrius says, "I love thee not, therefore pursue me not." (II ii,line 194) "Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more." In III ii, Demetrius after being juiced begins to love Helena. (III ii,line 169-173) Demetrius says, "Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none. If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as guest- wise sojourned, And now to Helen is it home returned, There to remain." This proves he is a fool, because he is not aware of his changing love for Helena. Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but she still persists in chasing him. Demetrius shows no love for Helena. (II i,line 227-228) Demetrius says, "I'll run from thee, and hide me in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts." (II i,line 199-201) "Do I entice you? Do I speak you

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Compare how Act 3 Scene 2 was presented in the two versions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that you watched.

Compare how Act 3 Scene 2 was presented in the two versions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that you watched. You are asked to pay particular attention to the way the characters of Helena and Hermia are presented and to comment on how different audiences might respond to the two films. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is about the love life of four characters, two men, Lysander and Demetrius, and two women, Hermia and Helena. Lysander and Hermia love each other and Helena loves Demetrius. However, Demetrius loves Hermia too. In the scene in the videos, two fairies, Oberon and Puck, are trying to bring Helena and Demetrius together so that the four of them can co-exist peacefully. However, Puck accidentally makes Lysander fall in love with Helena, and then Oberon makes Demetrius fall in love with Helena too, with some juice that they pour into the men's eyes. Therefore, both men have now fallen in love with Helena and Hermia is desperately trying to win Lysander's love back. However, Lysander keeps declaring his love for Helena and his hate for Hermia so Hermia eventually tries to start a fight with Helena but is dragged off by both men. Then both men leave the scene bracing for a fight, and Helena is chased away by Hermia. There are two versions of this scene, the black and white version directed by Max Reindhart in 1935, and a colour

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Comparison of Two Productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream

GCSE English/English Literature Assignment Shakespeare's 'A midsummer Night's Dream In this assignment I am going to study William Shakespeare's 'A midsummer night's dream'. Which I will watch be performed by two different theatre company's. The first show is to take place at the Royal exchange theatre, on the 8th April. Directed by Lucy Bailey. The second performance is to take place on the 16th May, at the Salford Lowry theatre. Performed by The Royal Shakespeare Company. Directed by Richard Jones. In this assignment I will describe the two different theatre designs. I will also look closely into one chosen key scene, giving a brief plot of the scene and discuss key characters from this scene. I will comment on how the two different directors, directed my chosen scene and the differences between them while commenting on how affective they were. I will then compare the two different productions overall and specifically in my chosen scene saying which one I preferred and why. As well as any other thoughts on the play. The theatre design of the Royal Exchange is a theatre in the round. A road ran from one side of the theatres across to the opposite side. Although this was a fixes scene it was multi-per phased a lamppost stood in one corner of the theatre. This was very affective as it gave the audience the idea of being in the middle of nowhere. A if it was just one on going

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What effects do the woods and the city have on love in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

"Love and reason keep little company nowadays" Bottom. What effects do the woods and the city have on love in A Midsummer Night's Dream? A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the wonderful works of playwright William Shakespeare. In its extraordinary flow of events many facts and concepts become apparent. The play can be said to be based on a romantic love theme with a drop of comedy as to give extra pleasure to the audience. However, there are many more to the play and more critically, there are smaller steps taken to form the actual object of the plot. To examine that is what I intend to do in this essay. The play is set in two completely different places which sometimes, through compromise, do appear to be similar, they are; The city (Athens) and the Woods. It is in these two places I shall base my essay on, comparing how they affect the four lovers in their affairs, with its un-evolved law and its contaminated opinion or supernatural being meddling with the activities of human life. Love can be a complicated thing as quoted from the speech of Lysander (one whom was beloved of Hermia and loved her back) "Never did the course of true love run smooth", but in absolute contrast love can be as easy as ABC, "Love and reason keep little company nowadays" Bottom. And as we all know, humans are not beings of super intellect, so in the presence of events occurring with such

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How would you perform the role of Titania in Act 2, scene 1 and Act 4 scene 1 to highlight her contrasting attitudes and behaviour towards Oberon and Bottom?

How would you perform the role of Titania in Act 2, scene 1 and Act 4 scene 1 to highlight her contrasting attitudes and behaviour towards Oberon and Bottom? A midsummer night's dream is a very popular Shakespearian comedy, and has always been exceedingly popular with audiences. In the nineteenth century, it was a favourite at its performance in London, and in the development of the twentieth century the outdoor performances would begin to draw mass crowds. Films, ballets, operas, artists and musicians have all been influenced by this play, and the different interpretations performed. This essay describes just one of the many variations that have been developed. In Act 2 scene 1, Titania has a very dramatic and effective entrance. Her competitiveness with Oberon can be seen by the entrances as the opposing sides of the train. A true feeling of unity between the characters would be symbolised by an entrance together. They each have their separate train of fairies in an attempted power struggle. In this entrance Titania would come on first, confidently, striding with an air of competitiveness and determinedness. She would then take centre stage with her menagerie of fairies. The initial look of confidence would morph into annoyance, and perhaps a small crease of hurt as Oberon has not shown, and as if this was an intentional but yet unspoken meeting between her and Oberon.

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Comparing and contrasting The characters of Helena and Hermia - A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Comparing and contrasting The characters of Helena and Hermia A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in Athens where Duke Theseus is planning his marriage with Hippolyta. Egeus enters, followed by his daughter Hermia, her beloved Lysander, and her suitor Demetrius. Egeus tells Theseus that Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, wanting instead to marry Lysander. Helena and Hermia are two wealthy Athenian nobles. Puck meets the fairies who serve Queen Titania. He tells them that his King Oberon is in the woods, and that Titania should avoid Oberon because they will quarrel again. Soon after Puck is sent away to fetch the flower as Oberon wants to play a trick on Titania so that she falls into the first thing she sees when she wakes up but Oberon decides to change his mind when he overhears Demetrius and Helena quarrelling in the woods. Oberon then tells Puck to put the juice on Demetrius, a man wearing Athenian clothes. But Puck finds Lysander thinking it was Demetrius and puts the juice on Lysander, who upon waking up falls in love with Helena. The workmen arrive in the woods and start to practice their play which is to be performed in front of the Duke and Duchess of Athens. Puck, watching this silly scene, catches Bottom alone and puts an asses head on him. Bottom then comes across Titania, and succeeds in waking her up. Lysander and Demetrius prepare to fight one

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Explore the significance of transformation and discuss its significance as a theme in the play

Explore the presentation of transformation and discuss its significance as a theme in the play Having studied William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", it is evident that a significant theme within this comedy is that of transformation. Being a key theme, transformation is mentioned right away in the beginning of the play with references to the moon. The moon is an ideal example of transformation due to its constantly changing nature. It goes through phases, in which it is seen in a different form and also controls the fluctuations of the tide. Both these things change or transform. Other examples of transformation would be the transformation of Bottom's head into an ass's head and Titania's maternal love of the Indian boy into the lust for Bottom. There are many forms of transformation but I will be focusing on the transforming power of love Transformation can instantly be noted in Act 1, Scene 1, where Shakespeare uses Theseus and Hippolyta to start the play. Their relationship has transformed the most, although it does not happen during the actual play. Before they became lovers, Theseus and Hippolyta, leaders of the Athenians and the Amazons respectively, were bitter enemies. However, Theseus "wooed" her with his sword and "won" her love with the injuries he inflicted on her. Having beaten her in battle, Theseus has fallen deeply in love with Hipployta, and

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"The course of true love never did run smooth." Discuss how Act 1 scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' mirrors this comment of Lysanders';

A Midsummer Night's Dream "The course of true love never did run smooth." Discuss how Act 1 scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' mirrors this comment of Lysanders'; hinting at the possibility of a tragic outcome, though the situation is ultimately resolved happily. In what ways might the response of a modern audience to this scene differ from that of an Elizabethan audience? A Midsummer Night's Dream is the epic play depicting the tangled emotions of love, and the tale of a destructive love triangle between Athenian lovers. Act 1 Scene 1 begins with Theseus, duke of Athens and his bride-to-be Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, making preparations for their forthcoming marriage. Theseus and Hippolyta are undoubtedly wholly in love, as they exchange romantic words as they discuss their wedding plans. Theseus says "Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace: four happy days bring in another moon." And Hippolyta replies "Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; four nights will quickly dream away the time; and then the moon, like to a silver bow, new bent in heaven, shall behold the night of our solemnities." However, underlying the glossy visage of these two lovers, we can see that their love had not always been whole, as Theseus tells us of their past, "Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword, and won thy love doing thee injuries;" This shows that their

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