A Midsummer Night's Dream

5 Pages 1278 Words

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written by William Shakespeare is a lively comedy. It takes place in the realm of both the mortals and the fairies. The realm of the mortals is often referred to as the “real world” and the realm of the fairies as the “fairy world.” Both worlds are presented with problems. Neither world is faultless. Egeus commands Hermia to marry Demetrius. However, Hermia loves Lysander and the two lovers decide to run away. Helena is in love with Demetrius, who does not return her love. Helena, who is aware of the two lovers’ plan, tells the plan to Demetrius. This is the beginning of the comedic complications between the love affairs of Hermia, Helena, Lysander, and Demetrius. The fairy world has problems of its own. Oberon, the king of fairies, is jealous of Titania’s Indian Boy. Along with these stories, there is a play that is being rehearsed for the Duke. It is the play, “Pyramus and Thisbe,” acted by Nick Bottom and Francis Flute as the two characters, respectfully. Puck’s mischief stirs up confusion for the four mortal lovers and Titania falls in love with a Nick Bottom, who has been transformed into a donkey. However, when the two worlds come together, the fairy world seems to control the real world. Although, Theseus believes he has ultimate power and control over Athens, the conflicts of the real world can not be resolved without the magical powers of the fairy world.
The story of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy. Shakespeare was a playwright during the Elizabethan era, when most plays were either comedy or tragedy. It wasn't the lines read or story that made a play tragic or comedic. Comedy plays were distiniguishable by their costume, stage, and make-up. The magical and fairy realm setting, the costumes of the fairies, and Nick Bottom wearing a donkey head would constitute this play as a comedy.
The story of A Midsummer's Night Dream begins with an introduction ...