1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
The love triangle in Titanic has captured the hearts of billions of people across the globe. In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Hermia, like Kate Winslet in Titanic, faces the momentous battle between society and true love. In A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Shakespeare uses the rigid Ancient Greco society to create a comedic twist on Hermia and her love interests through the use of supernatural powers, just like in Ancient Greco epics.
The opening act in A Midsummer's Night Dream displays the rigid societal norms of the Greco Society. While Theseus is portrayed as a lawful and just leader, in modern terms his ruling would be highly controversial. The suppression of Hermia's voice in the ruling is the first huge piece of evidence that shows how rigid the society illustrated in the play is. On top of that, Theseus states that the ruling is a "gift" to Hermia, who is furious that her voice is neglected. Forced to obey her father, Hermia is twisted by society and her longing to be with Lysander. Though Hermia chooses to run away, it is important to note that none of this would have happened if the societal norms weren't so strict.
Due to these strict norms, Shakespeare creates a comedic play, while using supernatural powers to emphasize the Greco society. A Midsummer's Night Dream could very easily be a Homeric epic. In ancient Greece, the Gods were not perfect, selfless, deities, often they mirrored the humans. Gods were just as selfish and arrogant as the humans. In Shakespeare's comedy, the Gods are no different than the humans. In fact, the main supernatural conflict is so closely intertwined with the human conflict that the Gods use the humans as pawns in their overbearing battle, just like in an Homeric epic. A key example of such is when Oberon makes his own wife Titania fall in love with a beast, but in doing so he begins to intertwine with Hermia's love affair as well. Thus causing the foundation of any good Shakespearean comedy, love triangles. Another aspect of Shakespearean plays is the use of a vivid setting. Since plays are primarily visual, having this supernatural experience happen in a forest seems almost too perfect. Nature is often associated supernatural Gods. Whether it be Buddhism and the Bo Tree, or in the Old Testament when Moses seeks God on a mountain, nature is always closely related to supernatural spirits. Thus by using the setting, Shakespeare adds to the idea of Ancient Greek Gods on Mount Olympus interfering with mankind and love.
The rigid Greco society in A Midsummer's Night Dream has many implications, primarily the use of supernatural powers to mirror those of the ancient Greek Gods. By doing so, Shakespeare creates a hilarious mortal comedy filled with love triangles and plot twists.
I'm a little confused as to the meaning that you're trying to address with your essay. If you make that a little more clear, this would be an excellent response. Your style is great, your topic sentences fit perfectly and you use good evidence for the claims you make. If you add in an answer to the meaning question to your thesis and a clearer answer in the last paragraph(s), this would be stellar.
ReplyDeleteI found that parts of this essay are really good, and other parts lost me a little. Things I would work on:
ReplyDelete1.) First, I would touch up your introduction. Make sure that your very first sentence is not too far from the subject at hand or otherwise you will lose your reader. Also, in your thesis, make sure to include meaning. That is a very important part that I think you lost in your paper.
2.) I found your second paragraph was brilliant. However, your third paragraph then lost me. You have a good topic sentence, but then never state how the Gods are effected by the strict norms and what meaning this creates. Make sure to have a clear idea where you are going and have each part tie back into your thesis.
Ultimately, I think if you shape up your thesis a tad, the rest of the essay will be easily fixable!