Sarah, Entry # 9:
I do not think that the dreams people had really affected them. One reason is that we never see the dreams that people have. When people slept it was only so that the play could continue. If people had not randomly fallen asleep then the juice would not have been put into their eyes. Even when characters thought they had had a dream they did not change anything about themselves at all.
As for which character I thought I was most like; I do not really see any similarities between any of them and myself. I admire Hermia the most out of all the characters. She does not give up until the can be with the one she loves. Also, she does not let her father or Demetrius get in her way. She fights for what she believes is right and does not let others influence her decisions. For example, when she tells her father in the first act of the play that she will not marry Demetrius, she states: “I do entreat your grace to pardon me./I know not by what power I am made bold,/Nor how it may concern my modesty/In such a presence here to plead my thoughts”(Scene 1, Lines 58-61). She knows that she is not being very respectful to her father by doing this but she feels that it is the right thing to do and that he is being unfair. That is why I like her best, and why I want to have some of her characteristics.
Hermia’s standard of purity is however not very surprising for this period of time. Back then people had higher standards when it came to purity unlike today. There are a fare amount of people with high purity standards in this day and age, but there are also many people who simply do not really care. As for Lysander’s apologizing, I think that he probably realized what he said had upset Hermia so in order that she not get angry at him he just said that he did not mean it that way. As for relationships as a whole in that day and time; they were probably a lot less casual then by today’s standards. Back then marriages were arranged; as indicated in the first act of the play when Hermia’s father wanted her to marry Demetrius. It was probably not very common for two people to just fall in love and get married. That is why it is such a big deal when Hermia and Lysander run away together when Hermia’s father will not let her marry Lysander. What would you say is the most important theme of A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Does this theme apply to modern times in any way? Which scene was your favorites of the play and why?
Tiffany, Entry #10
ReplyDeleteThe most important theme in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is probably that although love is complicated, it is worth all the effort and confusion. The ending of the play, when the three weddings take place, exemplifies this theme. Theseus knows that Demetrius and Lysander have been like enemies because they both loved Hermia. He questions, “I know you two are rival enemies; How comes this gentle concord in the world, that hatred is so far from jealousy To sleep by hate and fear no enmity?” (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 145-148). The two main relationships were complicated to begin with, but they worked out in the end. The relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta is not discussed enough that readers know whether they had complications in their love or not. However, we know that Hermia and Lysander had to battle against society for their love and that Demetrius thought he loved Hermia but discovered he loved Helena instead. Theseus realizes, “Fair lovers, you are fortunately met…For in the temple, by and by, with us These couples shall eternally be knit” (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 180, 184, 185). This theme definitely applies to modern times because love is still complicated most of the time, but if two people are meant to be together they will put in the work it takes to have a good relationship. Similarities between the two main relationships in the book and relationships of modern day can be clearly seen.
My favorite scene was Act 4, Scene 1 because that is when I got to see how the relationships turned out. I liked the fact that everything ended up going well, and that they were able to have three weddings. Oberon and Titania have been reconciled, Puck has righted his mistakes, and Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia, and Helena have realized who they truly love. I think that this ending was very fulfilling and gratifying. The reader is not left with any unanswered questions, except for the play that Quince, Bottom, Flute, Snout, Snug, and Starveling will perform. This question is answered in the last Act of the play, bringing a successful culmination to the drama. In my opinion, Shakespeare does an excellent job of entertaining his audience, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream seemed to be very effective in communicating the message that true love is always possible.