Dysfunctional Family In A Midsummer Night's Dream By William Shakespeare
The Plantagenets are the perfect example of a dysfunctional family and the more you read into the play the more it is shown. Firstly the roots to a happy and healthy family are from the relationship with the parents and in no case does Henry and Eleanor have a healthy relationship. With Eleanor being sent away for several years Henry chose apon himself to have a mistress whom is Alais, in which is the girl that him and Eleanor rose since she was a child. With Henry having a mistress it causes many complications, and angers Eleanor even more. With the two parents having an unhealthy relationship it causes a burden on the children and the lifestyle that they pick up to live by for when they are grown up. Eleanor and Henry disagree a lot also
and allow their kids to witness it, which leads the kids to pick up on these traits also. Speaking of Henry and Eleanors loving side it is never shown and the kids say things making it to believe that they were never shown any love by their mother or father. Geoffrey says, ”It’s puzzling. I remember my third birthday. Not just pictures of the garden or the gifts but who did what to whom and how it felt. My memory stretches back that far and never once can I remember anything form you or father warmer than indifference. Why is that?”(Watch) The only response Eleanor has to his question is “I don’t know.”(Watch) From the outside looking in on this family everyone in their town must think they have it all being they are royalty, but it is clearly shown that without love they have nothing. They seem to base everything around who will become King instead of being happy for whoever gets the thrown they instead rather fight over it with their own siblings. Richard says, ”I will be king.” Eleanor “And so you will. But not this year. Oh, leave it, Richard. Let it go for now.” Richard “I can’t” John It’s not so hard. Try saying after me. John wins, I lose.” Richard “What if John died?” John “You wouldn’t dare.” Richard “Why on earth wouldn’t I?”(Watch) In this scene it shows that this family is only focused on who will become King and lost all the importance of how a family should be.
and allow their kids to witness it, which leads the kids to pick up on these traits also. Speaking of Henry and Eleanors loving side it is never shown and the kids say things making it to believe that they were never shown any love by their mother or father. Geoffrey says, ”It’s puzzling. I remember my third birthday. Not just pictures of the garden or the gifts but who did what to whom and how it felt. My memory stretches back that far and never once can I remember anything form you or father warmer than indifference. Why is that?”(Watch) The only response Eleanor has to his question is “I don’t know.”(Watch) From the outside looking in on this family everyone in their town must think they have it all being they are royalty, but it is clearly shown that without love they have nothing. They seem to base everything around who will become King instead of being happy for whoever gets the thrown they instead rather fight over it with their own siblings. Richard says, ”I will be king.” Eleanor “And so you will. But not this year. Oh, leave it, Richard. Let it go for now.” Richard “I can’t” John It’s not so hard. Try saying after me. John wins, I lose.” Richard “What if John died?” John “You wouldn’t dare.” Richard “Why on earth wouldn’t I?”(Watch) In this scene it shows that this family is only focused on who will become King and lost all the importance of how a family should be.