A Midsummer Night’s A Midsummer Night’s DreamDream

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A Midsummer Night’s A Midsummer Night’s DreamDream

Symbolism/Imagery and ThemesSymbolism/Imagery and Themes

within the playwithin the play

A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream

Symbols/ImagerySymbols/Imagery Theseus & HippolytaTheseus & Hippolyta The Love PotionThe Love Potion The Mechanicals PlayThe Mechanicals Play Light v. Dark & Night Light v. Dark & Night

v. Dayv. Day MoonMoon Reality v. IllusionReality v. Illusion

ThemesThemes Love: Difficulty of love, Love: Difficulty of love,

Contrasts of love, Contrasts of love, Love out of BalanceLove out of Balance

MagicMagic DreamsDreams

Symbols/ImagerySymbols/Imagery

Theseus & HippolytaTheseus & Hippolyta

Theseus and Hippolyta appear in the daylight at Theseus and Hippolyta appear in the daylight at both the beginning and the end of the play’s both the beginning and the end of the play’s main action. main action. They disappear, however, for the duration of the They disappear, however, for the duration of the

action, leaving in the middle of Act I, scene i and not action, leaving in the middle of Act I, scene i and not reappearing until Act IV, as the sun is coming up to reappearing until Act IV, as the sun is coming up to end the magical night in the forest.end the magical night in the forest.

Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and Theseus and Hippolyta, the ruler of Athens and his warrior bride, are used to represent order his warrior bride, are used to represent order and stability, to contrast with the uncertainty, and stability, to contrast with the uncertainty, instability, and darkness of most of the play. instability, and darkness of most of the play.

The Love PotionThe Love Potion The love potion is used by the fairies to wreak The love potion is used by the fairies to wreak

romantic havoc throughout Acts II, III, & IV. romantic havoc throughout Acts II, III, & IV. Because the meddling fairies are careless with the love Because the meddling fairies are careless with the love

potion, the situation of the young Athenian lovers potion, the situation of the young Athenian lovers becomes increasingly chaotic and confusing (becomes increasingly chaotic and confusing (Demetrius Demetrius and Lysander are magically compelled to transfer their and Lysander are magically compelled to transfer their love from Hermia to Helenalove from Hermia to Helena), and Titania is hilariously ), and Titania is hilariously humiliated (humiliated (she is magically compelled to fall deeply in she is magically compelled to fall deeply in love with the ass-headed Bottomlove with the ass-headed Bottom).).

The love potion thus becomes a symbol of the The love potion thus becomes a symbol of the

unreasoning, fickle, erratic, and undeniably unreasoning, fickle, erratic, and undeniably powerful nature of love, which can lead to powerful nature of love, which can lead to inexplicable and bizarre behavior and cannot be inexplicable and bizarre behavior and cannot be resisted. resisted.

The Mechanicals PlayThe Mechanicals Play The play-within-a-play is used to represent, in condensed The play-within-a-play is used to represent, in condensed

form, many of the important ideas and themes of the main form, many of the important ideas and themes of the main plot.plot. Because the craftsmen are such bumbling actors, their Because the craftsmen are such bumbling actors, their

performance satirizes the melodramatic Athenian lovers and performance satirizes the melodramatic Athenian lovers and gives the play a purely joyful, comedic ending. gives the play a purely joyful, comedic ending.

Pyramis and Thisbe face parental disapproval in the play-Pyramis and Thisbe face parental disapproval in the play-within-a-play, just as Hermia and Lysander dowithin-a-play, just as Hermia and Lysander do

the theme of romantic confusion enhanced by the darkness of the theme of romantic confusion enhanced by the darkness of night is rehashed, as Pyramis mistakenly believes that Thisbe night is rehashed, as Pyramis mistakenly believes that Thisbe has been killed by the lion, just as the Athenian lovers has been killed by the lion, just as the Athenian lovers experience intense misery because of the mix-ups caused by experience intense misery because of the mix-ups caused by the fairies’ meddling. the fairies’ meddling.

The craftsmen’s play is, therefore, a kind of symbol for The craftsmen’s play is, therefore, a kind of symbol for A A Midsummer Night’s DreamMidsummer Night’s Dream itself: a story involving powerful itself: a story involving powerful emotions that is made hilarious by its comical presentation.emotions that is made hilarious by its comical presentation.

Light v. Dark/ Day v. NightLight v. Dark/ Day v. Night

The plot, characters, and conflicts within The plot, characters, and conflicts within the play, the play, A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream, are , are clearly driven by the notion of contrast – clearly driven by the notion of contrast – specifically that of light/dark (day/night).specifically that of light/dark (day/night).

There are 6 key components for analysis of any There are 6 key components for analysis of any literary work:literary work:

Setting, Style, Characterization, Symbol, Structure, Setting, Style, Characterization, Symbol, Structure, and Conflict.and Conflict.

Know these terms for a good focus on future Know these terms for a good focus on future test preperationtest preperation

Light (Day)Light (Day) OrderOrder Structure & RulesStructure & Rules RigidityRigidity Proper Respectable Proper Respectable

behaviorbehavior

Dark (Night)Dark (Night) ChaosChaos Lack of Structure & Lack of Structure &

RulesRules FlexibilityFlexibility Bizarre and Illicit Bizarre and Illicit

behaviorbehavior

As a class, brainstorm a few events As a class, brainstorm a few events which occur in the two placeswhich occur in the two places

Using a copy of the play, meet with peers and search for evidence of your findings/connections of evidence within the play and the concepts listed above. (15 min.)Be sure to document with proper source notations: (Act, scene, line numbers) = (3.2.110-115)

MoonMoon The moon symbolizes love, lust, and dreaming The moon symbolizes love, lust, and dreaming

and is seen as a powerful symbolic force that and is seen as a powerful symbolic force that determines and affects human behavior and determines and affects human behavior and reactions.reactions.

The meaning of the moon is never static; it The meaning of the moon is never static; it means different things to each character, means different things to each character, depending on his or her present situation or depending on his or her present situation or character attributes. character attributes.

The moon is not only a luminous, passive The moon is not only a luminous, passive watcher in the night sky, but it is a powerful watcher in the night sky, but it is a powerful force. It has an intoxicating effect on all the force. It has an intoxicating effect on all the characters and seems to incite bizarre and illicit characters and seems to incite bizarre and illicit behavior. behavior.

It is worth mentioning that the moon It is worth mentioning that the moon can also…can also…

be a force of treachery and destruction. be a force of treachery and destruction. Even though an errant fairy like Puck is just a harmless Even though an errant fairy like Puck is just a harmless

troublemaker, the fact remains that he exists to “mislead troublemaker, the fact remains that he exists to “mislead night-wanderers”. night-wanderers”.

It is easy to view Puck in a positive light, but the dark It is easy to view Puck in a positive light, but the dark creatures and intentions lurk under the cover of night. creatures and intentions lurk under the cover of night.

This possibility of unsavory ambitions by the supernatural This possibility of unsavory ambitions by the supernatural creatures might only be helped by the moon-intoxicated creatures might only be helped by the moon-intoxicated susceptibility of human prey. It is as if the moon is a drug, susceptibility of human prey. It is as if the moon is a drug, which renders the characters into a dream-state and the which renders the characters into a dream-state and the fairies have rule of the night. This could be rather a fairies have rule of the night. This could be rather a frightening prospect, indeed. frightening prospect, indeed.

Reality v. IllusionReality v. Illusion Shakespeare balances reality and illusion when Shakespeare balances reality and illusion when

he mingles the romances, problems, and actions he mingles the romances, problems, and actions of mortals and spirits!of mortals and spirits! In the realm of illusion, notice several elements in In the realm of illusion, notice several elements in

which logic is suspended in favor of symbolism, as in which logic is suspended in favor of symbolism, as in our own dreams. our own dreams.

Puck describes his own helpful and harmful behavior Puck describes his own helpful and harmful behavior as if it is all logically consistent.as if it is all logically consistent.

Are the fairies large (Titania embraces Bottom) or tiny Are the fairies large (Titania embraces Bottom) or tiny (creep into acorn cups, wrap in a snakeskin, make (creep into acorn cups, wrap in a snakeskin, make coats from bat fur)?coats from bat fur)?

Do the spirits fly around the globe with the night, or Do the spirits fly around the globe with the night, or watch the dawn and have diminished powers during watch the dawn and have diminished powers during the day? Shakespeare describes both.the day? Shakespeare describes both.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" breaks theatrical "A Midsummer Night's Dream" breaks theatrical illusion, the rule that the players do not talk to the illusion, the rule that the players do not talk to the audience about this being a play. Oberon begins by audience about this being a play. Oberon begins by saying, "I am invisible." The play-within-a-play is saying, "I am invisible." The play-within-a-play is interrupted several times by explanations by the interrupted several times by explanations by the actors.actors.

Nowadays, breaking theatrical illusion is an easy laugh. Nowadays, breaking theatrical illusion is an easy laugh. For example, in "The Hostage", Brendan Behan has For example, in "The Hostage", Brendan Behan has characters say, "Silence! This is a serious play!", "That's characters say, "Silence! This is a serious play!", "That's the kind of joke this audience understands", and "That the kind of joke this audience understands", and "That song has just about brought the show to a standstill." song has just about brought the show to a standstill."

In Shakespeare, even "asides" are unusual, though he In Shakespeare, even "asides" are unusual, though he uses prologues as modern movies may begin with text or uses prologues as modern movies may begin with text or voiceover giving the background. voiceover giving the background.

The amateur actor's concern about the lion The amateur actor's concern about the lion frightening the ladies probably refers to an frightening the ladies probably refers to an episode in which actors who were to impersonate episode in which actors who were to impersonate lions were omitted from James of Scotland's lions were omitted from James of Scotland's parade, out of fear of frightening the audience. parade, out of fear of frightening the audience. The actors decide the lion must be played with a The actors decide the lion must be played with a half-mask, so people will realize it's really a half-mask, so people will realize it's really a person.person.

The reality!The reality! The key passage in the play is Theseus's The key passage in the play is Theseus's

speech on "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" speech on "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" (V.i.5-22). (V.i.5-22). Mentally ill people hallucinate, lovers see ugly people Mentally ill people hallucinate, lovers see ugly people

as beautiful, and poets create an imaginary world to as beautiful, and poets create an imaginary world to give life to ideas ("giving to airy nothing a local give life to ideas ("giving to airy nothing a local habitation and a name"). habitation and a name").

Fear can make even a normal person, in dim light, Fear can make even a normal person, in dim light, mistake a bush for a bear.mistake a bush for a bear.

Samples from the playSamples from the play Egeus accuses Lysander of being insincere, and using evil magic to win Egeus accuses Lysander of being insincere, and using evil magic to win

Hermia's love (I.i.27-32). Actually, it's Egeus who's fantasizing.Hermia's love (I.i.27-32). Actually, it's Egeus who's fantasizing.

Hermia says, "I wish my father looked but with my eyes", to which Theseus Hermia says, "I wish my father looked but with my eyes", to which Theseus replies "Rather your eyes must with his judgment look" (I.i.56-57). No two replies "Rather your eyes must with his judgment look" (I.i.56-57). No two people see the world in the same way.people see the world in the same way.

Helena knows Demetrius is a jerk, says he has bad taste in women, etc., Helena knows Demetrius is a jerk, says he has bad taste in women, etc., etc. But Helena loves him anyway (I.i.226-233). She reflects on love's etc. But Helena loves him anyway (I.i.226-233). She reflects on love's blindness and sudden changeability (234-245).blindness and sudden changeability (234-245).

Demetrius, who remains under the influence of the love juice, remarks after Demetrius, who remains under the influence of the love juice, remarks after talking with Theseus in the woods that he doesn't know what he dreamed, talking with Theseus in the woods that he doesn't know what he dreamed, and what really happened.and what really happened.

Theseus says that even the best theatrical productions are "shadows", and Theseus says that even the best theatrical productions are "shadows", and that imagination can "amend" (mend, repair) a bad play so it seems good. that imagination can "amend" (mend, repair) a bad play so it seems good. Notice that Theseus is himself a character in a play.Notice that Theseus is himself a character in a play.

At the end, Puck invites the audience to believe that, if they didn't like the At the end, Puck invites the audience to believe that, if they didn't like the play, they just dreamed it.play, they just dreamed it.

The Paradox!The Paradox!((How R&I blend together)How R&I blend together)

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", imagination makes impossible In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", imagination makes impossible things into reality. things into reality. Theseus woos Hippolyta "with his sword". On opposite sides in battle, they fall Theseus woos Hippolyta "with his sword". On opposite sides in battle, they fall

in love. Enemies become friends (the mismatched lovers, the families of in love. Enemies become friends (the mismatched lovers, the families of Pyramis and Thisbe.)Pyramis and Thisbe.)

Helena's affection for Demetrius seems to make him hate her. Hermia's hatred Helena's affection for Demetrius seems to make him hate her. Hermia's hatred seems to make him love her.seems to make him love her.

In the dream world of the forest, deer chase tigers as Helena pursues In the dream world of the forest, deer chase tigers as Helena pursues Demetrius.Demetrius.

Like Demetrius's whipped spaniel, Helena grows fonder from mistreatment.Like Demetrius's whipped spaniel, Helena grows fonder from mistreatment.

Pyramis is white as a lily, red as a rose.Pyramis is white as a lily, red as a rose.

Theseus and Hippolyta, describing the hunt, with the hounds sounding Theseus and Hippolyta, describing the hunt, with the hounds sounding random, discordant notes, celebrate the wild, free beauty of chaos.random, discordant notes, celebrate the wild, free beauty of chaos.

The play-within-a-play is "tragical mirth, merry and tragical, tedious and brief."The play-within-a-play is "tragical mirth, merry and tragical, tedious and brief."

Themes: Love, Magic, Themes: Love, Magic, DreamsDreams

Difficulty of LoveDifficulty of Love

Lysander and Hermia – sexual tension Lysander and Hermia – sexual tension and social etiquette and social etiquette

Outside interventionsOutside interventionsBetrayal of lovers/friends: Hermia and Betrayal of lovers/friends: Hermia and

Helena, Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius Helena, Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, Titania and Oberonand Helena, Titania and Oberon

Jealousy: Oberon and Titania, Helena and Jealousy: Oberon and Titania, Helena and HermiaHermia

Contrasts (Love)Contrasts (Love)

Titania and BottomTitania and BottomBottom and the LoversBottom and the LoversOberon and PuckOberon and PuckDedication levels of lovers to one anotherDedication levels of lovers to one another

Love out of BalanceLove out of Balance

Pyramis and Thisbe parallel real life for Pyramis and Thisbe parallel real life for Lysander and HermiaLysander and Hermia

In the woods the lovers are out of balance In the woods the lovers are out of balance of “normal” states of love of “normal” states of love

MagicMagic

The fairies’ magic brings about many of the most The fairies’ magic brings about many of the most bizarre and hilarious situations in the playbizarre and hilarious situations in the play

In the play this magic embodies the almost In the play this magic embodies the almost supernatural power of love (symbolized by the supernatural power of love (symbolized by the love potion) and to create a surreal world love potion) and to create a surreal world Although the misuse of magic causes chaos, as when Although the misuse of magic causes chaos, as when

Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Lysander’s Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Lysander’s eyelids, magic ultimately resolves the play’s tensions eyelids, magic ultimately resolves the play’s tensions by restoring love to balance among the quartet of by restoring love to balance among the quartet of Athenian youths Athenian youths

DreamsDreams

““I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was: man is but an ass, if he go what dream it was: man is but an ass, if he go about to expound this dream.”about to expound this dream.” -- Bottom -- Bottom

As the title suggests, dreams are an important As the title suggests, dreams are an important theme in theme in A Midsummer Night’s Dream; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; they are they are linked to the bizarre, magical mishaps in the linked to the bizarre, magical mishaps in the forest.forest. Hippolyta’s first words in the play evidence the Hippolyta’s first words in the play evidence the

prevalence of dreams (“Four days will quickly steep prevalence of dreams (“Four days will quickly steep themselves in night, / Four nights will quickly dream themselves in night, / Four nights will quickly dream away the time”) away the time”)

The theme of dreaming recurs The theme of dreaming recurs predominantly when characters attempt to predominantly when characters attempt to explain bizarre events in which these explain bizarre events in which these characters are involved: characters are involved: ““I have had a dream, past the wit of man to I have had a dream, past the wit of man to

say what / dream it was. Man is but an ass if say what / dream it was. Man is but an ass if he go about t’expound this dream,” he go about t’expound this dream,” Bottom says this as he is unable to fathom the Bottom says this as he is unable to fathom the

magical happenings that have affected him as magical happenings that have affected him as anything but the result of slumber. anything but the result of slumber.

Dreams also…Dreams also…

occur without explanation, time loses its normal occur without explanation, time loses its normal sense of flow, and the impossible occurs as a sense of flow, and the impossible occurs as a matter of course.matter of course. Shakespeare recreate this environment in the play Shakespeare recreate this environment in the play

through the intervention of the fairies in the magical through the intervention of the fairies in the magical forest forest

At the end of the play, Puck extends the idea of At the end of the play, Puck extends the idea of dreams to the audience members themselves, dreams to the audience members themselves, saying that, if they have been offended by the saying that, if they have been offended by the play, they should remember it as nothing more play, they should remember it as nothing more than a dream. than a dream.

5 ACT PLAY VS. 3 ACT PLAY5 ACT PLAY VS. 3 ACT PLAYHow do the two structures vary and why?How do the two structures vary and why?

5 Act Play Overview5 Act Play Overview

5 Act Play

5 Act Play Breakdown5 Act Play Breakdown

ACT ONE

ACT TWO

ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

3 Act Overview3 Act Overview

3 Act Breakdown – 3 Act Breakdown – an overlay of the an overlay of the 5 Act mapping5 Act mapping

ACT ONE

ACT TWO

ACT THREE