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Summary: Ahh the mysteries of love
Review: This play by William Shakespeare called A Midsummer Nights Dream was a good and bad reading. It was a good reading because the storyline was great and the characters and the turn of events were all amusing. It was a non-positive reading if you have trouble reading Shakespearian English because then all of the jokes and even the story may and probably will go right over the reader's head. If however one can comprehend Shakespearian English then it is an extremely immersing story.
I believe that Shakespeare's main purpose in writing this play is to convey to the audience a sense of maybe there is something beyond ourselves that is controlling who and why we love. That can be seen in this writing because the fairies are controlling these people's love. Not only are they controlling whom they love but also why. Notice how Demetrius wakes up sees Helena falls in love and does not know why he has fallen in love. That is the main theme of the story A Midsummer Nights Dream. I think that a possible smaller theme could just show how crazy love is and how foolish people can be when they are in love. For example when Euges was in love with Hippolyta he could not see right in front of him the man he was trying to hook up with Hermia was at a previous time having an affair with Helena.
I have learned from this reading that love can certainly make one do crazy things just to let another know how one feels. All throughout this reading there are people chasing after others to get their love and then the power beyond ourselves, in this case the fairies, could come and mix things up either for better or for worse. In the reading as well as real life everything could be different day to day. One could wake up one morning and despise someone with all of one's heart or one could be in love with all of the same heart. I have personally learned of this through a personal experience of my own. I woke up one day and a person who I had known for many years but never really paid attention to; I was now madly in love with her and now I may do many things out of my nature to get her to notice me. All in all one can only say is that love is crazy and if one is in love then all that can be expected is to do so many things out of ones nature.
To anyone who is looking to find out why love makes one do something odd this book will not help you find the answer unless you believe in love controlling fairies. To those who are looking for an amusing story of love and what it does to people, you will definitely enjoy this story. Also to those who enjoy comedy, love, and Shakespearian writing, without a doubt you will find excellent examples of all three in this play by William Shakespeare. All things considered in this reading I believe that it was entertaining while still allowing for the imagination to flutter away and wonder whether there is some great romantic force out there and why love can seem so real one day and so fake on another day.
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Summary: A Midsummer Nights Dream Critique
Review: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was a wonderful play that was very entertaining to read. Shakespeare is very descriptive and gives a lot of detail so that the reader may get to know the characters and visualize their appearance in their mind's eye. In my opinion, if you want an enjoyable romantic comedy then this is definitely a great play to know and love.
Shakespeare's main point in writing was to show us how love can change and how we sometimes can have no control over our feelings. They can be one way one moment and they are totally opposite the next. This is supported because of King Oberon. When he squeezed the flower onto Titania's eyes, even though she was married to him and in love with Theseus, she became, "enamour'd of an ass." Another example is Lysander and Hermia. They had run away from Athens because Hermia's father wanted her to marry Demetrious. Lysander was so in love with Hermia but when Puck placed the magical flower in his eyes he immediately fell in love with Helena, Hermia's obsessive friend.
Shakespeare also wanted to show us that true love doesn't come easy. It is something that you have to work at. Lysander said, "The course of love never did run smooth." That statement is completely true. No one ever has had a perfect love life; there are bumps along the way that people who are truly in love can overcome together.
I personally learned several life lessons. I learned to never give up on love. Just because the course of love doesn't always make sense you should never cease to persevere it. If you love someone and that someone loves you, then nothing should ever interfere. In example, even though Puck and Oberon messed up the lovers love lives for a while, Hermia never gave up and neither did Helena. That is why, in the end, everyone turned out happy.
I also learned that life is not long enough to wait around and dilly-dally. If you strongly feel something, keep at it and don't give up. I learned this from Helena. She always pursued Demetrious and she eventually made him hers because she never gave up. Even when he said that he was going to kill her if she didn't stop following him, she continued to follow him.
In conclusion, the play was a wonderful play and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh, and likes romance. In all honesty, it's a chick flick of William Shakespeare's time. It has every quality that you could ever want in a play, yet none of the horrible things like drugs, violence and horror we see in so many movies, films and books today. A Midsummer Night's Dream is really a great script that everyone should experience.
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Summary: critique of A Midsummer Night's Dream
Review: A Midsummer Night's Dream is a lighthearted comedy that incorporates tragedy, fantasy, and romance amidst its many laughs. The play's wide range of genres enables it to capture the audience's attention and hold it; moving from one plot line to the next.
By telling the stories of the four couples and of the bumbling acting troupe led by Bottom the Weaver, Shakespeare communicates not only the foolishness of love, but also the mystery and magic of it. He makes the implication that parts of love can never truly be explained, and must merely be accepted.
We first see love's strange matchmaking come inot play with Theseus, Duke of Athens, and his fiance, Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. This couple in itself is a twist, for, originally, Theseus had captured Hippolyta as a prize when he conquered her people. Now, however, they have grown to love one another, and both eagerly await their matrimony.
The Fairy King Oberon and his Queen Titania, along with their fairy hosts, are also a part of Shakespeare's representation of love's mysterious and confusing nature. Shakespeare shows that just as the fairies manipulate Demetrius and Lysander's love from Hermia to Helena, and then confuse the poor mortals by making things right, so certain aspects and reasons for love are inexplicable. Furthermore, even the fairies become wrapped up in love's absurdness when Titania is bewitched into falling in love with Bottom the Weaver, whose head has been exchanged for a donkey's by Puck, King Oberon's right-hand man. Demetrius himself says that he knows "not by what power, -- but by some power it is," that has caused his love for Hermia to die, and his love for Helena to fully blossom. However, he does not doubt this feeling, and does not seek an explanation for it. Perhaps this is because he knows that no explanation can be reached.
In this play, Shakespeare teaches me that love, in many ways, cannot fully be fathomed. We may never be able to put into words why we continue to love someone, though they continue to push us away. We may never realize the extent of someone's love for us, and the choices that we make for love may not be those that we would have if we were thinking "clearly." I will never fully comprehend the love that Christ had for a world full of sinners who continuously turn their backs on Him, just as Demetrius did not understand why Helena continued to follow him throughout the woods while he threatened and insulted her (Act 2, Scene 1). But that, as Shakespeare so expertly displays, is the beauty of love: its reasoning is elusive and sometimes ridiculous. Its mystery is what keeps us coming back for more, for humans are curious creatures, and love would be no fun if we knew everything about it. It causes some to fight, others to yell, a few to become spectators, and some to make "asses" of themselves. Love holds an allure and mysticism to mankind because of its unpredictability: no one truly knows what can or will happen until it does. And, many times, what does occur is not what was expected at all.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this play to be read not only because of its comedy and laughter at "what fools these mortals be," but also because of the truth woven throughout it about the excitement and confusion of the emotion of love.
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Summary: isn't love WONDERFUL?! :)
Review: A Midsummer Night's Dream is a wonderful comedy about the confusion of love. William Shakespeare wrote this play to point out the fact that, no matter how hard you try, you can't control your future. Although this play is a little 'far-fetched' when it comes to the story line, with faries and such, it is the truth! The only one who has control of our lives is God, and the god being played in this story is the fairy Puck. Puck has the ability to make people fall inlove with other people and do crazy things without them realizing they've changed.
I've learned that you can't base your life on the things you want to happen. What you desire is not always what comes true. As Lysander says, "The course of true love never did run smooth." In the play, Hermia and Lysander are inlove, Demetrius loves Hermia and Helena is inlove with Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander's plan was to run away and get married, but after taking a trip through the woods near Athens their plans changed drasticly. After some intervention of the fairys, Lysander and Demetrius both ended up loving Helena, and Hermia was left all alone. Hermia was heartbroken because she was determined to marry Lysander. This is a good example that you can't control your future. Anything can come and intervene with your plans, and cause you to be lost and confused like Hermia.
I would recomend this book to anyone who enjoys reading plays! The play is extremely funny and keeps your interest. All though it is written in the language of 'thy' and 'thou' it isn't difficult to understand. As you read, you will find yourself getting frustrated with the confusion going on, and at the end, feeling relieved with the conclusion.
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Summary: " What mortal fool we are"
Review: A midsummer Night's Dream has a lot of spunk!! I think it was a little difficult to understand all of what they were saying sometimes but watching the movie really put in prospective for me. I thought is was one of those mudhy ushy love stories where they fall in love and kiss but it had a lot of twists and turns. My teacher, Mr. Paden, told us to do a scene from shakespear. I thought it was the same but he added a twist to it, we had to use only 15 props and that counted costumes. We had to eluminate the whole stage with something or do it outside. We could not change the words around either. We did outside in the rain and my skit was under a hang over while the audience stood in the rain. It was like the real thing because we had to do it outside and we were under the hangover just like in shakespeare time. I understood it after we watched the movie with each scene and do a skit on a scene. I think shakespeare moral is we are fools when we are in love. Just like Puck says. We make promises we can not keep when we are in love and overlook the facuities of the other person. The faries made a little mistakes and had to fix it so Lysander loves Hermia and Demetrius loves Helena again. It is funny and exciting with romantic, actors, and faries.
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Summary: A magical and comic read!
Review: I won't tell the whole plot of the play, for then I'll be destroying the mystery. I'll just say a tiny bit of the story so one will get the idea:1. Hermia and Lysander elope to get married, Demetrius follows them because he desperately loves Hermia and Helena follows Demetrius because he's the man of her dreams. All end up in a forrest. 2. King Oberon and Queen Titania have a fight over a child, and Oberon wants revenge. Plus, he decides to help a certain couple he saw in the forrest. 3. Peter Quince and his play fellows, along with the arrogant and conceited Bottom, are going to perform a play, and they chose to practice in the same forrest. Bottom line: Puck, Oberon's servant, messes everything up. What happens? What is the connection made between these 3 groups? Like I said, I'll not tell. ;> All I'm going to tell is that the play is worth a read. Magic, confusion, love, hate, revenge, mischance, proudness, friendship, joy, sadness, everything are all rolled into one (typical by Shakespeare). So, looking for a good and comic read by Shakespeare? Read this one and enjoy.
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Summary: Lo, What Fools These Mortals Be
Review: In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, four different people constantly fall in and out of love, all the while being confused and toyed with by some fairies. The story is good for a laugh, as well as being a rather clever insight into some of the nuances of love.
At the start of the play, there is a dilemma. Egeus' daughter Hermia is in love with Lysander, who is in love with her. But her father believes she should marry Demetrius, another courter. To complicate matters, Hermia's friend Helena has slept with Demetrius before, and is completely enamored with him. By a strange turn of events, all four end up in the woods late at night, when the fairies are about. Oberon, the king of the fairies, sends his number one servant Puck, to bewitch Demetrius to fall in love with Helena. But Puck makes a mistake, and instead makes Lysander fall in love with Helena. Attempting to correct things, Puck makes Demetrius also fall in love with her, leaving poor Hermia confused and angry. Helena thinks everyone is playing a trick on her, Lysander and Demetrius are professing their love for Helena, and Hermia is trying to claw out Helena's eyes. The scenes are most amusing, but are also rather pointed. In this altered state, Lysander says things to his beloved Hermia that he would never have said otherwise, calling her short and shrewish. It leaves one to wonder if this is what he truly thought of her sometimes, but was afraid to say. Eventually, Puck and Oberon clear everything up by putting everyone to sleep, and when they wake up, Hermia and Lysander are in love, as are Helena and Demetrius. There are two weddings, and everyone is happy, except Egeus.
In this play, there is a rather funny view of love represented. Although normally they are the picture of happiness and kindness to each other, Lysander and Hermia become violently at odds once the spell is cast upon them by Puck. They say terrible things, insult each other, and generally act like school children. On the other hand, Hermia is so desperate to have Demetrius back again, but once she actually gets him, she doesn't believe his love is true and real, because she has so convinced herself that he can never love her. It's a funny story, but it has reflections into real life as well. When in love, people are oftentimes so enamored with each other that they overlook, gloss over, or pretend that one another's flaws don't exist. But once that veil of initial emfatuation is removed, then they start to be honest about each other's imperfections. On the other hand, Hermia's experience is quite normal as well. Sometimes, a person can be so entranced, and want someone so badly, that they conjure up an image of the person that is unrealistic. Then, when they finally can have the person, they find out that they don't measure up to expectations or fantasies, and the grass truly isn't greener on the other side of the fence.
I think that this play was excellent. Shakespeare never fails to disappoint in being able to capture his reader's attention, and I loved this play. It was clever and witty, and I would recommend it as a good read, if for no other reason than to get exposure to some of Shakespeare's lighter writings.
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Summary: Dare To Dream
Review: Love is a powerful emotion that even Shakespeare was mystified by. It often makes you do crazy things, which is brilliantly displayed in A Midsummer Night's Dream. The story of four young lovers and their conflicting interests in each other are revealed as we are taken on an enchanted journey into the woods. Shakespeare is captivating as he shares the lovers' experiences in the wonder, beauty, and folly that love creates.
Although comedic, A Midsummer Night's Dream conveys a timeless message to readers of all ages. Shakespeare skillfully displays the passion and power of love. Love blinds us, shielding lovers from all faults and blemishes of their devoted. The night is controlled by the fairies, symbolizing the magic and passion that the lovers' feel in the night. Lovers live in a world of fantasies and illusions and are separated from all state of reason. Regardless of how foolish one acts when in love, it is a magical dream that no one wishes to wake from.
Living in a world where love is commonly spoken without meaning, reduces the power of love to everyday and ordinary. Shakespeare shows us how there is nothing "ordinary" about love. People in love live a life that has been drastically altered, and forever changed. I believe there is beauty and sanctity in love, it is a gift which is not to be wasted but to be embraced, and takes a lifetime to appreciate.
This celebration of love spoke volumes to me, as it will to you. The value and follies of love is beautifully illustrated and humorously delivered. This sarcastic depiction of love is very realistic and communicates the passion and desire that everyone longs for. A Midsummer Night's Dream allows you to experience your wildest dreams and imagine a world beyond, where the magic of the fairies fill the night.
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Summary: SA-WEET
Review: This play is so fantastic to me because of two things. Thanks to my mom I am a huge fan of romantic comedies. You can poke fun if you wish but they are the best plays (or movies) out there. And the other reason I loved this play is because there where fairies in it. Who doesn't love fairies? I always enjoy a good fairy tale. And trust me this is a great fairy tale.
I have read a few little stories written by Shakespeare in books and things. This is the first real Shakespeare play I've read. I must say I was completely taken by this play. It takes you away from our world and brings you into a completely different where love is everywhere and anywhere, fairies float about happily and things sort of fall into place.
I think Shakespeare really shows different the aspects of love. He shows how strong it is. Lysander was willing to do absolutely anything for his dear Hermia. It was also shown when Helena refused to give up on her love for Demetrius. In the end love conquered all. They all got what they wanted except Hermia's father, who of course got the short straw. His daughter married the man he hated and the man he did like married someone else.
He also shows how fickle it is. When Puck squirted the flower juice on Lysander's eyes everything changed for him and Hermia. In (literally) the blink of an eye his love changed between to girls. It's so funny to me how Lysander speaks so romantically to Hermia then not 5 minutes later he is trying to hit on Helena.
I've learned a few things from different characters. I've learned from Helena to never give up. She didn't give up on Demetrius and she was rewarded for her diligence. She got the man she wanted and she lived happily ever after.
The thing I've learned from Demetrius is to be kind. I should be kind to everyone, but especially girls. Because the person I'm being mean to could became my best friend or my brother-in-law. I should be REALLY nice to girls because I could end up marrying her or one of her friends. And we all know how girls tell each other everything.
From Puck I've learned to be very careful. I have to be careful what I do and say around certain people. Because if I don't I might screw my life or more importantly someone else's reputation.
And from Lysander I've learned to just hold on because love is a roller coaster. Love is like the wind. One minute it's strong enough to knock you off your feet. But the next minute you can't even feel it. So just be prepared for the craziness of love.
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Summary: An enjoyable romp with very little substance.
Review: This play is tremendously fun, one of the most enjoyable of Shakespeare's plays, (and one of the easiest to read for a modern reader) but like most of his romances, it demonstrates a roughly sixth-grade understanding of romantic love. At least in a comedy, there's some excuse for this, and it's a tradition that certainly hasn't changed in over 400 years (see: "Shallow Hal", for example) but in general, the characters in this play have about the depth and plausibility of, say, the Three Stooges. Read this play if you're in the mood for lighthearted Shakespearean fluff, but not if you want something with some real meaning to it. This was, in Shakespeare's time, the equivalent of "Three's Company" or "Dharma & Greg". Light entertainment for the masses, not serious literature.
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