Contrast in Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay Example
Contrast in Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is encompassed in the element of contrast in various ways. Contrast is so apparent that it could easily be labeled as a theme in the play. Contrast is important because it emphasizes aspects of a plot or character that may have otherwise been overlooked or understated. Furthermore, contrast contributes to prominent themes such as role confusion or the transformation. It is likely that Shakespeare acquired such masterful contrast technique and ability through the influence of early Roman playwrights such as the works of Plautus.
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream uses contrast to emphasize theme and the attributes of the characters. It is apparent that Shakespeare adopted this technique from classical Roman drama. Similarities can be identified through the analysis of the work of Plautus. Character contrast, much like that of Shakespeare’s discussed play is illustrated in Plautus’ Menaechmi. An important way that contrast supports the theme is through representation.
Characters that directly contrast with one another consequently highlight the defining characteristics of each other. This technique was established by the pioneers of Greek drama and later adopted by many writers of Roman drama. It is widely believed that the methods of Classical dramatic arts such as this had a strong impression on Shakespeare’s work. This can be seen through the analysis of the work of one of Shakespeare’s most similar predecessors, Plautus. Plautus was notorious for his use for “foil characters,” characters whose opposing characteristics or roles brought out the qualities of their counterpart. One great display of foil character can be seen in his play, Menaechmi. This story is about two twin boys who were separated at a young age, only to be ironically reunited. Though both brothers have the same name (Menaechmi 1 was lost in a market, and Menaechmi 2 was renamed after his brother could not be
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is encompassed in the element of contrast in various ways. Contrast is so apparent that it could easily be labeled as a theme in the play. Contrast is important because it emphasizes aspects of a plot or character that may have otherwise been overlooked or understated. Furthermore, contrast contributes to prominent themes such as role confusion or the transformation. It is likely that Shakespeare acquired such masterful contrast technique and ability through the influence of early Roman playwrights such as the works of Plautus.
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream uses contrast to emphasize theme and the attributes of the characters. It is apparent that Shakespeare adopted this technique from classical Roman drama. Similarities can be identified through the analysis of the work of Plautus. Character contrast, much like that of Shakespeare’s discussed play is illustrated in Plautus’ Menaechmi. An important way that contrast supports the theme is through representation.
Characters that directly contrast with one another consequently highlight the defining characteristics of each other. This technique was established by the pioneers of Greek drama and later adopted by many writers of Roman drama. It is widely believed that the methods of Classical dramatic arts such as this had a strong impression on Shakespeare’s work. This can be seen through the analysis of the work of one of Shakespeare’s most similar predecessors, Plautus. Plautus was notorious for his use for “foil characters,” characters whose opposing characteristics or roles brought out the qualities of their counterpart. One great display of foil character can be seen in his play, Menaechmi. This story is about two twin boys who were separated at a young age, only to be ironically reunited. Though both brothers have the same name (Menaechmi 1 was lost in a market, and Menaechmi 2 was renamed after his brother could not be