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The Theme of Love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

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The Theme of Love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare In the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ many aspects of love are explored. In this essay I will be exploring how Shakespeare conveys the theme of love including illusion, confusion, escape, harmony and lust. Historically, it has been suggested that ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was written for a wedding, signifying the importance of love in this play, however there is no real evidence to prove this myth. Rather, the Lord Chamberlain’s men performed ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on the London stage. Shakespeare creates a situation in which two pairs of young lovers, Lysander and Hermia, are forced to elope from the …show more content…

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.

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