Desire In A Midsummer Night's Dream
Desire is a well-known trope in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The four lovers and their magically caused mishap is one of the plays main scenes. However, even though sexual desire is found in every act, it isn’t the only type of desire found within the play. In addition to sexual desire, we find a desire for utter and complete control, which is held most notably by Oberon, as well as the desire for chaos. Puck is a character recognizable by those who study mythology by his mischievous nature and tendency to play tricks on those unfortunate enough to slight him. These three incarnations of desire all play into the social standing of life at the time. Those in power had control, and felt threatened by anyone else who had any form …show more content…
He takes back control by using a ‘love potion’ that will “Will make or man or woman madly dote/Upon the next live creature that it sees” (2.1.171-2). With Titania’s attention averted, Oberon will be able to get the child, and thus regain his control in their marriage. His desire blinds him to any compassion towards his wife, and he doesn’t care about what this situation could land Titania in: “The next thing then she waking looks upon—/Be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull,/On meddling monkey, or on busy ape—/She shall pursue it with the soul of love” …show more content…
In fact, it is the very first image that is given in the play. The first words out of Theseus’s mouth are words depicting his sexual wants: “…but O, methinks, how slow/ This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires/Like to a stepdame or a dowager/Long withering out a young man 's revenue” (1.1.3-6). The theme of sexual desire isn’t only present in the male characters of the play, as it often is in many plays of the time. In fact, the level of sexual desire fluctuates between all of the characters. Hippolyta reveals in her response to Theseus that she too cannot wait until their wedding night, but she is far better at hiding it. It, however, is not the case that women are forced to hide their sexual wants due to it being considered ‘unsuitable’ for women, as can be seen in the case of Helena and Demetrius. Helena is far from afraid of announcing her affections for Demetrius to him. It is a form of sexual harassment, and Demetrius is far from giving into her wants, and even goes about warning her from spending too much time with him unsupervised: “You do impeach your modesty too
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1255 Words | 6 PagesIn the play A Midsummer’s Night Dream by William Shakespeare, many of the characters relentlessly pursue their goals in the face of illogical decisions, and, while fictional items such as the “love-in-idleness” flower are used to explain the character’s sudden love for each other, the play does illustrate how love and ambition can lead to unforeseen consequences. For example, when Puck accidently anointed Lysander’s eyes with the “love-in-idleness” juice, he started a chain of events leading to Lysander and Demetrius fighting over Helena while Hermia is treated as though she is worthless. Moreover, at one point, Lysander and Demetrius even threatened to duel each other when Lysander awoke after being anointed with the flower 's juice and said, "Where is Demetrius? O, how fit a word is that vile name to perish on my sword" (61). This shows how the character’s love for certain other characters, and their ambition to pursue said love, can lead to the destruction of previous relationships and lead them to make dangerous decisions.
Desire In Romeo And Juliet
444 Words | 2 PagesThe underlying theme of the play, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare was the clash between the company pursuing their personal desires or deciding to conform to what is socially expected. The circumstances of this affray were on display when Romeo presented his plot of marrying Juliet to Friar Laurence. The consequences of Romeo deciding to pursue personal desire were also on display when displayed his disapproval to his punishment for extirpating Tybalt. These instances culminate Shakespeare's idea of that the pursuit of personal desire not always rewarding the aspirant. The asininity of carelessly pursuing your personal desires and not thinking about the ramifications was on display when Romeo presented his notion of espousing Juliet.
What Is Oberon Thirst For Power
203 Words | 1 PagesOberon always chose to manipulate and control others to do as he wished in his thirst for power. Oberon had been obsessed with taking the changeling from Titania ever since she had adopted the boy. But, Titania would always say that she took a vow to protect the boy and would never give him up to Oberon. Oberon neglected to listen to her and was focused on getting the child regardless. He went as far as putting a spell on his “true love” so that Titania would be susceptible to his suggestions, which enabled him to control her.
Theme Of Control In A Midsummer Night's Dream
552 Words | 3 PagesMost people control other people for the feel of power. During the play Puck stumbles upon Nick Bottom and his colleagues. Puck likes the feel of control so he turns Nick Bottom into a donkey. When one of his colleagues, Snout, see’s him, Snout says, “O Bottom, thou art changed! What do I see on thee?”
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735 Words | 3 PagesAgain they are deliriously in love because of the love drug. In the beginning of the play neither of the males want anything to do with Helena, she is blindly chasing after Demetrius desperate for his attention, but he brushes her off. Oberon orders puck to put the spell on Demetrius. “Thou shalt know the man by the Athenian garments he hath on.” (II, i ln 42 & 43)
Control In A Midsummer Night's Dream
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418 Words | 2 PagesHe gets control over Titania by putting a love potion on her eyes whilst she is sleeping. The first thing she sees she falls in love with. She falls in love with a donkey and realizes her mistakes and gives the boy to Oberon. Likewise, the play states: ¨I´ll watch Titania when she is asleep and drop liquor of
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1910 Words | 8 PagesHe did this by having two settings: Athens and the woods. Athens represented modern Elizabethan society, and here, all the women are in their stereotypical gender roles; Hermia was the dutiful daughter that had to follow her duke’s and father’s orders, Helena was the girl that was in love Demetrius but was not allowed to go after him, and Hippolyta was the captive who had to marry her captor. Athens was a society not yet prepared for the inclusion of women; essentially, Shakespeare meant that Elizabethan England was not yet ready for women to have the same rights as men. To contrast this setting, William Shakespeare made up the woods. The woods is where the four lovers run off to, and where fairyland presides.
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