A Midsummer Night's Dream Misogynist Analysis
“There is not one word apt”- to what extent is this a fitting description of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”? Does Shakespeare’s comedy have a purpose beyond simply making us laugh?
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is classed as a comedy: from the misdemeanours of Oberon and Puck, to the star crossed lovers who change their hearts constantly. People enter the theatre and watch as the characters embark upon the “green world” before marrying: ending with familial union. However, this light hearted play does something more than just make us laugh, teaching us about a time’s misogynist attitudes towards gender and the state which encourages these. Shakespeare uses the antics of Oberon and Puck at the forefront of this comedy, using the “juice” to make everyone fall in love, however they err due to their arrogance as Oberon vaguely describes Demetrius by “by the Athenian garments he hath on”. The iambic meter indicates these characters are powerful, yet their actions are unintelligent: the concept of incompetent leadership is a humorous stereotype, frequently used in dramatic comedy. Here, however, the joke is mocking power, or rather who we give power to, as …show more content…
This is emphasised because Theseus took Hippolyta from a functioning matriarchal Amazonian culture to one where she is objectified as nothing more than a prize (“won thy…”) - implying that this “love” between them is not what it appeared to be, but is actually another example of male control. As Alison Plowden4 explains, “nobody had any objections to love as long as the price was right”; Theseus will gain status and the potential for an heir. Contrastingly, Hippolyta loses her independence and personhood, thus foregrounding the both the literal and symbolic battle of the sexes throughout the play due to the male
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is classed as a comedy: from the misdemeanours of Oberon and Puck, to the star crossed lovers who change their hearts constantly. People enter the theatre and watch as the characters embark upon the “green world” before marrying: ending with familial union. However, this light hearted play does something more than just make us laugh, teaching us about a time’s misogynist attitudes towards gender and the state which encourages these. Shakespeare uses the antics of Oberon and Puck at the forefront of this comedy, using the “juice” to make everyone fall in love, however they err due to their arrogance as Oberon vaguely describes Demetrius by “by the Athenian garments he hath on”. The iambic meter indicates these characters are powerful, yet their actions are unintelligent: the concept of incompetent leadership is a humorous stereotype, frequently used in dramatic comedy. Here, however, the joke is mocking power, or rather who we give power to, as …show more content…
This is emphasised because Theseus took Hippolyta from a functioning matriarchal Amazonian culture to one where she is objectified as nothing more than a prize (“won thy…”) - implying that this “love” between them is not what it appeared to be, but is actually another example of male control. As Alison Plowden4 explains, “nobody had any objections to love as long as the price was right”; Theseus will gain status and the potential for an heir. Contrastingly, Hippolyta loses her independence and personhood, thus foregrounding the both the literal and symbolic battle of the sexes throughout the play due to the male