Skip to main content

In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, how does Oberon manage to "perfect" each (except for Pyramus and Thisby)?

It is true that Oberon’s actions eventually bring the play’s romantic relationships into harmony. He first attempts to unite Helena and Demetrius, for whom Helena pines, telling Puck to “anoint his eyes; / But do it when the next thing he espies / May be the lady.” Unfortunately, Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and puts the love potion in Lysander’s eyes. Helena stumbles upon and wakes him, making him fall in love with her. At Oberon’s direction, Puck enchants Demetrius, but then Demetrius and Lysander fight over Helena. The abandoned Hermia is heartbroken when Lysander declares that he hates her: “What, can you do me greater harm than hate? / Hate me! wherefore? O me! what news, my love!”

Puck finally sets things right, removing the spell from Lysander’s eyes and leaving Demetrius bewitched. The lovers barely remember the night except as a dream. In fact, they are better off than they were before. Demetrius and Hermia’s father had agreed that he would marry Hermia, and Hermia had no power to resist. Now, Demetrius wishes to be with Helena, so Hermia and Lysander can stay together.


Oberon also resolves the conflict between him and his wife Titania, though he hardly plays fair. He enchants her with the love potion, distracting her from their quarrel by making her fall in love with the ridiculous Bottom, whose head Puck has turned into a donkey’s. During this time, he takes “the little changeling boy” from her for his entourage. The fairy king and queen then reconcile and bless the beds of the mortal couples.


Only in this way does Oberon improve the relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta, whose marriage seems largely unaffected by his behavior. This is interesting, considering Oberon and Titania have likely had affairs with Hippolyta and Theseus, respectively. Still, after much mayhem, the romantic couples seem to be at peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more