A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay Example For Students

A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay Hoffman meets this challenge by showing Titania being carried around by slaves. This is not common in the mortal world so we instantly think we are somewhere different. Also, the lightening creates a feeling of fear. This makes us feel like this is somewhere we dont know much about and we shouldnt be here. During the play, Shakespeare implies that such is the power of dreams, anything can happen. This is shown as six characters sleep throughout the whole play. This is where a lot of the confusion is caused. First of all, the confusion is caused when Puck applies love potion to the lovers eyes. He first does this to Lysander. This is a mistake by Puck as he is supposed to put it on to Demetrius eyes. This first of all causes confusion for Helena, as she cannot understand why Lysander has suddenly fallen in love with her, as he had run away with Hermia because he loved her so much. Hermia is then confused about Lysanders whereabouts when she wakes up. She looks for Lysander and bumps into Demetrius. She is then confused because she thinks that Demetrius has killed Lysander. Demetrius does not have a clue what she is talking about and decides to try it on with Hermia. Oberon informs Puck of his mistake and his task is now to correct his mistake. He must first of all put the love potion on Demetrius eyes. Whilst Puck does this, Oberon applies the potion to Titanias eyes and tells her to wake when some vile creature is near. This is in order to be able to get the small Indian boy. Mischievous Puck, on his way to correct his mistake decides to put an asss head on Bottom. Titania then wakes when Bottom is singing and falls in love with him. Bottom is then confused, as he cannot understand how someone so beautiful has fallen in love with him. Puck adds the love potion to Demetrius eyes. He then wakes up when Helena is near and falls in love with her. Lysander is also at this point in love with Helena. A battle commences between Lysander and Demetrius for Helenas love. Hermia finds Lysander, who is seeking Helenas love. Hermia cannot understand why Helena has done this to her and begins an argument full of jealousy and envy. At this point in the Hoffman version of the film, I noticed that as the argument got worse, Helena and Hermias state of mind became worse. As this happened, so did their clothes. The clothing in the Hoffman version also seems to be metaphorical of the persons state of mind. For example, at this stage in the play, Hermia is very worked up and confused. Her clothing becomes torn and ripped before she finally ends up falling in a big pool of mud whilst fighting with Helena. Helena cant understand why one person who hated her and someone who loved someone else, has suddenly fallen in love with her. She believes it to be mockery. She then turns around the situation and boasts to Hermia about how it is her turn to sit and watch while Helena attracts the opposite sex. The RSC (Adrian Noble) version of the film can be seen to take the film to another level in a way by adding the extra character, which is the small boy. It adds another story. For example, nowhere in the book does it say that after Lysander and Hermia tell Helena of their plan to run away, a small boy runs after them and falls trough a door into space. This is added by the director for effect. Adrian Noble had obviously researched dreaming and what things in dreams signify. To fall in a dream means that trouble is to follow. White Privilege : The Invisible Knapsack Essay Shakespeare also uses the character of Puck to emphasis the gender differences of men and women. Puck strings the males along whereas he simply leads the women through the darkness. Pucks attitude to women is shown when he refers to females as mens possession, that every man should take his own, The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well. Pucks attitude towards women is typical of the attitude at the time as women were often seen as the weaker sex and were thought of to be submissive towards men. Puck also expresses another view of women, Cupid is a knavish lad Thus to make poor females mad. Pucks tone of pity is shown through this speech as the word poor emphasises this. Puck speaks in rhyme which is fairylike, nave and even magical, On the ground, Sleep sound, Ill apply To your eye, Gentle lover, remedy. This rhyming pattern is effective as it not only links in with the magical feeling and the spell, but it also reminds the audience that Puck is a fairy. In this extract, a repetition of sunlight is expressed through the four lovers. Come, thou gentle day, If ever I thy face by daylight see, Abate thy hours, shine comforts from the east, and Here will I rest me till the break of day. This effect shows that they are unconsciously know that all will be restored in the morning. The fact that the four lovers have been thrown into a state of chaos is used for comic effect. In conclusion, Shakespeare uses many different types of speech for different effects. Lysander and Demetrius manly, selfish, and revengeful character is shown through their repetition and rhyming couplets. Hermia and Hermia are presented through their emotional speeches, and their alternate rhymes emphasis their weariness. Pucks fairylike and nave character reveals his attitude toward men and women and the use of rhyme is simple and childlike.