Essay About Fact Theseus Apparent Love And King Of Athens

“a Midsummer Night’s Dream”: A Contrast in of Opposites
“a Midsummer Night’s Dream”: A Contrast in of Opposites
A Midsummer Nights Dream: Contrast In Human Mentality
A Midsummer Nights Dream: Contrast In Human Mentality
The Play: “A Midsummer Nights Dream”, by William Shakespeare offers a
wonderful contrast in human mentality. Shakespeare provides insight into mans
conflict with the rational versus the emotional characteristics of our behavior
through his settings. The rational, logical side is represented by Athens, with
its flourishing government and society. The wilder emotional side is
represented by the fairy woods. Here things do not make sense, and mystical
magic takes the place of human logic. Every impulse may be acted upon without
and forethought to there outcome.
The city of Athens represents the epitome of civilized man. Ruled by
the laws of man and kept in check by societys own norms. The human struggle to
suppress its unrestrained and irrational tendencies, still being undertaken
today, discourages the ‘civilized man from making rash and foolish actions.
Thus every action should have a sound and logical purpose, based on the social
norms.
In the play, Egeus, the father of Hermia, has thoughtfully chosen what
he considers an acceptable mate to wed his daughter. Egeus most likely based
his decision on economic, political, and social factors in his choosing of
Demetrius. He is making a reasonable decision based on Hermias future in their
society. Unfortunately Hermia is smitten by Lysander and vice versa. Although
her father may have made his decision with every good intension, keeping with
the traditional customs of his day, and even perhaps taking into consideration
such things as attractiveness, he failed to foresee the desires of his daughter.
The young Lysander, who like most young men, cares little for the rules of
society, is willing to break tradition and flee Athens to obtain Hermia.
Therefore they must leave the rational Athens to enjoy their irrational love.
Theseus, the king of Athens, is the highest symbol of law and order in
his kingdom. After winning a war with another kingdom, he chooses to marry
their queen, Hippolyta. His decision may very well have been inspired by love,
but the political ramifications of their marriage is a more plausible rationale.
In fact Theseus apparent love for Hippolyta seems almost as an added reward to
an already beneficial partnership. Whether any attraction was there or not
probably would not have made a difference. As king, Theseus must place the
kingdom before his own feelings. It simply comes with the position.
In short Athens represents the desire to suppress feelings and impulses
and to make decisions based on logic. Thus it does not give the power of raw
emotion the true respect it requires, for man is both emotional and rational.
Love never has, and never will, be predictable.
The fairy world represents mans undisciplined emotional quality. Here
the laws of man do not apply and things simply need not make sense. Attributes
like adventure, romance, fear, foolishness, and mockery are all things
suppressed by Athens and welcomed by the fairy woods. The fairies respect