Supernaturalism In A Midsummer Night's Dream Essay

Right away in act one of William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream he introduces his audience to one of his famous plot dilemmas; forbidden love, however this time instead of a trio like The Thirteenth Night, this classic tale presents four individuals and two fairies battling it out for the chance to capture their hearts desires. Can such a raw emotion be attained through natural persuasions? Shakespeare takes on that challenge in this piece of literature by incorporating element of supernaturalism and mixing it with comedy. Before diving into the details of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a clear understanding of what supernaturalism is will need to be addressed. When thought of with a modernized mindset, supernaturalism is nothing

Beginning with an anticipated moonlight wedding, the story quickly shifts from a quant quaint atmosphere to strife between four individuals fighting to be with their wanted partners. A young man named Lysander wants to be with Hermia, but he is considered by her father to be unfit and wants her to marry Demetrius. This forced or forbidden love is a dramatic treatment used strengthen the play’s plot. “Time and again Shakespeare plays dramatize the conflict between the old order in which a father choses husbands for their daughters and the new orders in which daughters chose their own mates based on affection” (Rasumssen, E). As the play progresses, the audience discovers Demetrius is constantly followed by a woman named Helena who once betrothed him until he switched his love towards Hermia. Lysander and Hermia then tell a heartbroken Helena their plans on eloping to another country where it would be safe to wed without consent and possible deadly consequences. Out of spite, Helena discusses these plans with Demetrius and a chase is underway to stop the couple. Unbeknownst to all four of the characters as they go into a forest, they have wandered into the den of two fairies and their