Midsummer Night's Dream Opposites

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Perfect Opposites: Settings in Midsummer Night’s Dream In Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses two main settings to symbolize divergent societies through the use of laws, organization, magic, and chaos. Athens is the first setting, and represents a harsh, lawful society that is reluctant to contravene its stringent rules. As a contrasting environment, the Woods makes use of magic and chaos to illustrate a society that is like a dream. Like a bridge connecting two worlds, Peter Quince’s home is physically set in Athens, but combines a combination of different elements that can be found in both worlds. Many of the qualities of both worlds are well illustrated in various stage and film productions of Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Athenian…show more content…
Rules can often be seen in societies to create structure and balance. Athenians make use of strict rules because they don’t want their citizens to run amuck. However, the Athenians tend to push some of their laws past a humane point, especially when dealing with gender roles. For example, Egeus goes to Theseus and Hippolyta to discuss the problem that he is having with his daughter’s choice of mate. Theseus advises Hermia, “Either to die the death or to abjure for ever the society of men” (1.1.65-66). Basically, Theseus is willing to enforce an esteemed Athenian law, if Hermia does not comply with her father’s wishes. This law is both strict and in a sense, very sexist. Women are expected to conform to the demands and wishes of men. In addition, Theseus also says to Hermia, “To you, your father should be as a god; One that composed your beauties,” (1.1.46-48) Theseus doesn’t even consider the fact that it takes a woman to give birth to a baby, instead he is forcing her to worship men because the Athenian society placed a high important on…show more content…
Through the examination of the handymen, the hierarchal system of Athens can be seen. For example, the handymen are forced to put on a play for the Duke and Hippolyta, and have no choice because they are working men who are not high on the totem pole. On the other hand, the silliness and carefreeness of the handymen, also illustrate the mentality of the Woods. This is evident while the handymen are deciding who will play what part in their upcoming play, and while they are rehearsing, as well. In the 1996 film production of Midsummer Night’s Dream, Quince’s home is a quaint shack that looks as if it could be used as someone’s garage or storage shed. The home does not contain the fancy elements that Athens has, but it also isn’t quite as magical as the woods,
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