Shakespeare in love

Compare and contrast the view of love in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights Dream and the film A Midsummer Nights Dream by Michael Hoffman. Focus on either the mortal lovers or the fairies.

‘I am amazed and know not what to say!’ (Act III.2, line 344)

This quote by one of the four mortal lovers in the play ‘A Midsummer Nights dream’ perfectly illustrates the confusing situation that arises due to the conflicting views of love evident not only in the play itself, but also in Michael Hoffman’s interpretation of the storyline into a film. Examples of the varying views of loves evident include tragic love, romantic love, physical love, unrequited love, and the effect all of these types of love have on the mortal lovers when magic interferes. It is evident when comparing and contrasting in the play and the film sympathies lie with the female characters, as they are believer in true love whereas the males are easily swayed. However in contrast, the film takes on a much more emotional aspect, through the use of body language and expressions it conveys what characters are feeling.

The opening act of the play, and the first scene of the film both depict a scene of romance and joy as preparations of the wedding of Theseus and Hippoly

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This includes the idea of physical love, which involves a love based purely on the flesh and the physical body, and the adversity that unrequited love produces. 2, lines 453-456)

The view of love in the end of both film and play is that of eternal happiness, especially in the true love of Hermia and Lysander, but what does this say about Helena and Demetrius? Interestingly in both Shakespeare’s version of events and also Hoffman’s interpretation of the play, it is not questioned that Helena and Demetrius’s happy ending is only due to the fact that Demetrius is under the influence of magic. The view of love in this scene in both film and play is that of a tragic love that can only be attained if social and legal boundaries can be overcome. Demetrius’ love for Hermia is that which is physical, which may be the reason that in contrast to the novel in the film there is a physical fight between Demetrius and Lysander, perhaps depicting the shallowness of his feelings. Again this brings about the idea of love being an expendable object. In a scene watched by Oberon, king of the fairies, demetrius is brutally honest with Helena in regards to his feelings, or specifically lack of feelings for her.

‘Relent, sweet Hermia; and, Lysander, yield

Thy crazed title to my certain right. Lysander portrays a believe in the power of love:

‘…Could ever hear by tale or history,

The course of true love never did run smooth;

(Act I. 2, lines 114-116)

Literally heartbreaking for the mortal lovers concerned is the effect such inconsistency has on feelings of females concerned, who are naturally in love with the males, unpolluted by the falsity of love created by magic. 1, line 140)

Furthermore, similarly to Romeo and Juliet, is the poetic lament found in the novel but not the film, adding further to the tragedy of their love:

‘I swear to thee on Cupid’s strongest bow,

…All the vows that ever men have broke-‘

In number more than ever women spoke, -

In that same place thou hast appointed me

Tomorrow truly I will meet with thee. 1, lines 170-178)

Through the character of Helena, in both play and film, different views of love become evident. He wants Hermia to give up her fight for true love and become his possession, as he believes Hermia to be his “certain right”.

Theseus decides that he must abide by the law of Athens.

Approximate Word count = 2586
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)

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