William Shakespeare surely is one of the most important English authors – although he lived 500 years ago, his works are still read and discussed. Since 1897, well over 200 films and countless television programmes adapted from Shakespeare’s plays were produced . Especially his comedies enjoy great popularity.
Because this paper will deal with one of Shakespeare’s comedies, it is necessary to clarify the term “comedy”. In Shakespeare’s century, a comedy was everything that was not a tragedy or a historical play – so the term was as neutral as our German ‘Schauspiel’ is. The intended effect of a comedy was to “frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life” , so to evoke laughter and entertainment with a therapeutic intention. In addition to that, comedies had a didactic function: they should show general mistakes like thoughtlessness, quarrelsomeness and meanness in the form of exaggeration.
The main theme of the Shakespearean comedy is love. This paper will deal with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (written in 1595 or 1596) with a special attention to the play’s couples. Their state of relationship and the language the lovers use will be in the foreground. Does it differ from normal language use? If so, do the couples all speak in the same way? Does the language differ from couple to couple, in dependency of their quality of relationship?
Firstly, it will be explained how the Elizabethan concept of love works. Secondly, it is demonstrated how a crush is revealed in terms of language and how a lover’s language develops in Shakespeare’s play. To conclude, the film version of Michael Hoffmann from 1999 will be looked at with special regards to a comparison of play and film.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Elizabethan Concept of Love
3. The Literary Language of Love in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
3.1 Lysander and Hermia
3.2 Demetrius and Helena
3.3 Oberon and Titania
3.4 Theseus and Hippolyta
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines how the language of love in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" reflects the Elizabethan concept of love and how the quality of relationships influences the speech patterns of the play's central couples.
- The Elizabethan understanding of love and its physical/psychological manifestations.
- Linguistic analysis of love-related discourse in Shakespearean comedy.
- Comparison of relationship dynamics through dialogue and speech portions.
- Evaluation of character representations in Michael Hoffmann’s 1999 film adaptation.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Lysander and Hermia
Lysander and Hermia are in love with each other against her father’s will. They try to defend their relationship “despite his warning that the alternative is death or perpetual virginity” 14.
Their portion of speech is very similar and the way they speak to each other is very alike as well. In l,1 they alternate with one line each when speaking about their fate. Hermia refers directly to Lysander’s fears by using a stichomythia:
Lysander: Or else misgraffed in respect of years.-
Hermia: O spite! too old to be engaged to young
Lysander: Or else it stood upon the choice of friends,-
Hermia: O hell! to choose love by another’s eyes15
By reminding each other of the fate of literary couples, they show that their emotions are at least as meaningful as the archetypes’ of the world literature. In this scene, Hermia and Lysander comfort each other because they know that true love naturally has a tragic dimension.16 They both take Egeus’ prescription as a “trial”17 for their love and since they have no chance to get a legitimation from Hermia’s father, they even want to flee into a wood to be together.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the term "comedy" in the Elizabethan context and outlines the paper's focus on the language of love in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream".
2. The Elizabethan Concept of Love: This section explores the historical view of love as a physical illness influenced by humours, elements, and the cosmos, defining the phases of falling in love.
3. The Literary Language of Love in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: This chapter analyzes how different couples use language to express affection, defend their bonds, or manipulate feelings, demonstrating the link between relationship quality and speech.
3.1 Lysander and Hermia: This section examines the couple’s shared speech patterns and their determination to defend their love against societal pressures.
3.2 Demetrius and Helena: This part explores the unbalanced relationship dynamics and Demetrius’ transformation in expression following the influence of the magic love-juice.
3.3 Oberon and Titania: This section addresses the conflict and eventual reconciliation of the fairy king and queen, emphasizing their understanding of love and their roles in the play.
3.4 Theseus and Hippolyta: This chapter analyzes the hierarchical, somewhat strained relationship between the Duke and the Queen of the Amazons, focusing on their contrasting views and communication.
4. Conclusion: The concluding section synthesizes the findings and discusses the film adaptation by Michael Hoffmann as a form of critical heritage and interpretation.
Keywords
Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Elizabethan Love Concept, Literary Language, Couples, Rhetoric, Humours, Relationship Dynamics, Film Adaptation, Michael Hoffmann, Drama Analysis, Speech Portions, Comedy, Passion, Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how the language used by couples in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" serves as an indicator of their relationship quality and how this reflects historical Elizabethan views on love.
Which specific themes are addressed in this analysis?
Key themes include the Elizabethan concept of love as a physical illness, the role of rhetoric in courtship, the connection between internal feelings and external speech, and the adaptation of these dynamics into cinema.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The primary objective is to demonstrate that the language of lovers in Shakespearean comedy is not random but follows identifiable patterns that reflect their specific romantic status and Elizabethan cultural norms.
What methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a literary and linguistic analysis, drawing upon Elizabethan concepts of humours and the cosmos to interpret dialogues, while also providing a comparative view of the 1999 film adaptation.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body provides an overview of Elizabethan love theories, followed by detailed examinations of four specific couples—Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, Oberon and Titania, and Theseus and Hippolyta.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Shakespeare, Elizabethan Love Concept, Literary Language, Relationship Dynamics, and Comedy.
How does the author analyze the relationship between Demetrius and Helena?
The author highlights the initial imbalance and Demetrius's coldness toward Helena, noting how their speech becomes more harmonious after Demetrius is enchanted, signaling their eventual bond.
What is the author's stance on Michael Hoffmann's 1999 film adaptation?
The author views the film as a form of "critical heritage" that remains true to the original play's language while utilizing the personal reputations of the actors to enhance character traits.
How does the play's depiction of Theseus and Hippolyta differ from traditional portrayals?
The paper argues that their relationship is unbalanced and emotionally distant, with Theseus appearing more like a "man of the day" rather than a legendary hero, which creates a noticeable tension in their communication.
- Citation du texte
- Regina Schultze (Auteur), 2008, The Concept of Love in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/156021
