Understanding Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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  1. Kinds of Love (Love Theme)

 

  1. Young True Love – Hermia & Lysander
  2. Misguided Love – Demetrius for Hermia
  3. Faded Love – Demetrius for Helena
  4. Anxious Love (Lust) – Theseus for Hippolyta
  5. Patient Love – Hippolyta for Theseus
  6. Envious Love – Oberon & Titania
  7. Parody of Love – Artisans performing

Pyramus and Thisbe

 

  1. Fate

 

Oberon and Fairies are a supernatural force that assist fate or symbolize fate.

 

Sometimes (usually often) fate causes difficulties for mankind. An example of this in the play occurs with Puck’s misapplication of the love potion on Lysander’s eyes.

 

Through the dialogue of Lysander and Hermia (in Act I, Scene 1) Shakespeare provides a commentary on star-crossed love (love affected adversely by fate).

 

However, in this play, all turns out well. Fate may not be a positive force in most peoples’ lives, but in this comedy fate is largely a positive and benevolent force.