If one could use one word to summarize “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” it would have to be “love.” Love is displayed with all its trials, triumphs, and heartbreak. We see two ill-fated crushes with Helena and Hermia, neither of which is free to act upon them. When Puck steps in with his love potion, we see how love causes insanity and chaos, much like a drug. Relentlessly the two pursue their loves to the dismay of the men. This insanity is apparent in Helena's quote "The more you beat me, I will fawn on you" (Shakespeare, 205). Eventually we do see their devotion pay off as the spell is removed and each receive the object of their affection. We also get a glimpse of the unhappiness resulting from the “forced love” between Thesus and Hippolyta. It leaves one to question if the pursuit is worth the result. By looking at the themes of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” I feel that one can better understand Shakespeare’s goals when writing this piece.
The Theme of Love
The relationship between Titania and Oberon is perhaps the most complex. Neither is clear about their intentions and love. While they torment each other, they seem to delight in it. One would have to surmise that they truly love each other or they would not rule the kingdom together or endeavor to hurt one another if there were no emotions involved. This is expressed when Titania proclaims, My Oberon! what visions have I seen!/Me thought I was enamour'd of an ass./How came these things to pass?/ O, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now! (Shakespeare,4.1.6)
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a wonderful example of strong women who felt oppressed by the society in which they lived. Not only did they pursue their love, but also stood up against societal roles. Despite the restrictions these ladies faced, they were determined to achieve their goals.
The Women of a Midsummer Night’s Dream
It is of note that there are only 4 main women characters in contrast to 14 males, yet the women are thought to be the most memorable of Shakespeare’s cast of characters. Hermia, Helena, Titania, and Hippolyta are unique to their time, all four strong women.
Hermia doesn't want to marry Demetrius, because she has fallen madly in love with Lysander (Shakespeare). She disobeys the will of her father and in a grand gesture of independence, strikes out on her own to pursue the one she loves. Helena is rather self-indulgent and insecure. She rationalizes her inability to be loved, by thinking herself inferior or ugly. Her character was an example of how one must relax and let love happen instead of constantly pursuing it(Shakespeare). Titania isn't exactly an oppressed female, but her role in this comedy brings a different look at relationships. Even though she is married to Oberon, they both share the responsibility of ruling the fairy kingdom. They do not have traditional marriage roles, instead preferring to spend much of their time apart, carousing with others (Shakespeare). Hippolyta also represents a power that has been suppressed by males. He defeat was a reoccurring theme within the play.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream mixes love and mythology to explore concepts of gender roles. This insight into women opens our minds to what factors make a relationship work ("Narrator"). Despite the fact that very few females were allowed to act in Shakespeare’s time and faced strict standards, he preferred to write strong, willful, and intelligent heroines into his works.
Women as Property
Even though these women were not the typical Elizabethan ladies, the theme of women as property runs throughout the play. We see how fathers, not the ladies, get to choose their daughter’s husbands, much to their dismay (Hirtler). Society recognizes these women as property, and has laws that can put them to death should they disobey ("Narrator"). Hermia jeopardizes her entire family by refusing to marry Demetrius. “She can die, go into a nunnery, or she can marry Demetrius.” (Shakespeare). This scene represents the basic treatment of women during this era. Women were not given a much of a choice. In Act I, Scene I Theseus tells Hermia” to treat her father as a God” ("Narrator"). Even though Hermia eventually married the man of her choice, the theme of ownership was prevalent. The men of the play staked their claim on the lady of their choosing (Hirtler). One could surmise that they traded one oppressed role to another. “Scornful Lysander, true, he hath my love, And what is mine my love shall render him; And she is mine, and all my right of her, I do estate unto Demetrius” (Shakespeare).
Virginity vs. Value
The idea that virginity is considered a virtue, also illustrates what was valued about women in the sixteenth century ("Narrator"). For example in Act I, Hermia’s discussion with Thesus, relates her virginity and the importance of saving herself until marriage.
“ So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord? Ere I will yield my virgin patent up, Un to his lord ship, whose unwished yoke, My soul consents not to give sovereignty”(Shakespeare).
There is little doubt that the idea of virginity was an important factor for getting married in Shakespeare’s time.
The Use of Imagination
Shakespeare employees the use of imagination by using classical mythology and lore and implementing it into an Elizabethan setting. The use of the fairy kingdom is a metaphor for the tumultuous love affairs between the characters. Fairies, known as fickle yet seductive creatures, create a means of viewing the humans from a different point of view. In on Puck’s trick, they are able to offer insight not available to the humans. Puck, also a mythical prankster, provides comic relief and puts the entire folly into place with his actions. The mythical characters are imaginative takes on other already know characters. Shakespeare twists them to fit into the story and by allowing interaction between myth and reality. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is an imaginative take on explaining love and relationships in a cleaver fashion.
The Theme of Rebellion
Rebellion remains a major theme throughout the play. Hermia disobeyed her father, running away from society into a forest of chaos. This fanciful land is the opposite of a strict orderly society. Here Hermia is able to live out her wildest dreams, because of her rebellion from society.
Hippolyta also rebelled against the idea of marriage. However, unlike Hermia she was punished for her rebellion. After rejecting Thesus’ love, he instead turns to force to order keep Hippolyta. “Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword/ and won thy love doing thee injuries” (Shakespeare). Thus, again illustrating the power Thesus held over both Hippolyta and Hermia.
The marriage of Oberon and Titania also faces a rift from female rebellion. Titania seems to delight in the power struggle between the two. She openly opposes Oberon, as a result the bickering and vicious acts of revenge escalates.
The Role of Poetry
Shakespeare creates a lyrical interpretation of a deeply thought out story within “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. His flowery language seems in keeping with the light hearted yet complicated situations the characters find themselves in. Poetry is often used in aspects of the narration for example in Act II one fairy says, “Over hill, over dale, Thorough bush, thorough brier, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire, I do wander everywhere, Swifter than the moon's sphere; And I serve the fairy queen, To dew her orbs upon the green: The cowslips tall her pensioners be; In their gold coats spots you see; Those be rubies, fairy favors, In those freckles live their savours: I must go seek some dew-drops here And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. Farewell, thou lob of spirits: I'll be gone; Our queen and all her elves come here anon.” (Shakespeare). These short poems are as artistic and expressive as the story themselves. The language also conveys the mood of the piece, ranging from love to hysteria. The poetic aspect of the play is meant to be pleasant to listen to, yet moving and explanatory.
The Role of Friendship
The friendships of women are complex, perhaps even more complicated than the romantic relationships in the play (Smith).The friendship between Hermia and Helena and the subsequent collapse of that relationship exposes the other side of female friendships. Hermia and Helena, where once close friends, but are now divided by their jealousies (Smith). They seem to envy one another and become quite belligerent in their conflict over the men. Helena feels betrayed by whom she once considered a sister. The petty fight between the two shows some “weaker” feminine qualities. Pettiness, jealousy, and strife over men are common in the portrayal of women. The relationship also shows the depth of a “sisterly bond” and how deeply women care for one another even when fighting.
Titania reveals that the root of her marital problems stems from her desire to protect the son of her dearest friend from Oberon. Her devoting to her friend is values above all others, including her husband (Smith). Again the allegiances among women are shown stronger than that of marital ties. Her motherly nature towards the boy and desire to protect him are also surprisingly feminine, from this otherwise powerful woman with more masculine traits.
Conclusion
William Shakespeare gives a unique insight into gender roles during Elizabethan times. Some readers argue that the portrayal of women in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is just another example of sexist writing. These simpering, young damsels are viewed as “rewards” to be won (Clarke). They continually bicker amongst themselves over petty matters, and place much of their value into winning a husband.
Personally I see” A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a prime example of change for females in the civilized world. One could also surmise that Shakespeare envisioned a feminist movement for his character and thus shone a light on the pitfalls of how society regards women of the time. These ladies showed uncharacteristic traits and showed their strength by standing up against societal norms. Though this may seem a small step by today’s standards for women, based upon the time it was written, I believe Shakespeare must have held a sense of respect for these characters.
Love is the predominate theme of the play. The relationships between the men and women are complex and deep. Shakespeare explores all the emotions associated love, from adoration to anger and frustration. The use of mythical elements help provide a means to reflect on love from different perspectives and to provide an imaginative twist to a traditional love story. By incorporating magic, Shakespeare is able to explain love in an unexplainable way.
The use of poetry in the story creates metaphors for the characters and the themes. It also creates emotion and differentiates the speech of fairies from humans. The lyrical language is both beautiful to listen to and descriptive in terms of the story line. Shakespeare uses wit and humor to explain love and its folly.
Works cited:
Clarke, D. "A Midsummer Nights Dream." Writing.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2012. <http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1291188-A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream>.
, ed. "Gender in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream." Narrator. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2012. <http://www.narrator.blogfa.com/post-109.asp&xgt;.
Hirtler, D. "A Look at Women in a Midsummer Nights Dream." Writinghood. N.p., 2011. Web. 25 Mar 2012. <http://writinghood.com/literature/a-look-at-women-in-a-midsummer-nights-dream/>.
Shakespeare, W. A Midsummer Night's Dream. Signet Classics, 1998.
. "Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream" University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 24 Mar. 2012.
Smith, N. "Friendships and Relationships of Women in "A Midsummer Nights Dream"." Article Myriad. N.p., 04 12 2011. Web. 25 Mar 2012. <http://www.articlemyriad.com/friendships-relationships-midsummer-nights-dream/>.
