Loss of individual identity A Midsummer Night's Dream

edwin landseer, scene midsummer night s dream. titania , bottom (1848)

maurice hunt, chair of english department @ baylor university, writes of blurring of identities of fantasy , reality in play make possible pleasing, narcotic dreaminess associated fairies of play. emphasising theme, in setting of play, shakespeare prepares reader s mind accept fantastic reality of fairy world , happenings. seems axis around plot conflicts in play occur. hunt suggests breaking down of individual identities leads central conflict in story. brawl between oberon , titania, based on lack of recognition other in relationship, drives rest of drama in story , makes dangerous of other lovers come due disturbance of nature caused fairy dispute. similarly, failure identify , distinguish leads puck mistake 1 set of lovers in forest, placing flower s juice on lysander s eyes instead of demetrius .

victor kiernan, marxist scholar , historian, writes greater sake of love loss of identity takes place , individual characters made suffer accordingly: more extravagant cult of love struck sensible people irrational, , have dubious effects on acolytes. believes identities in play not lost blended create type of haze through distinction becomes impossible. driven desire new , more practical ties between characters means of coping strange world within forest, in relationships diverse , seemingly unrealistic brief love between titania , bottom: tidal force of social need lent energy relationships.

the aesthetics scholar david marshall draws out theme further noting loss of identity reaches fullness in description of mechanicals , assumption of other identities. in describing occupations of acting troupe, writes 2 construct or put together, 2 mend , repair, 1 weaves , 1 sews. join apart or mend has been rent, broken, or sundered. in marshall s opinion, loss of individual identity not blurs specificities, creates new identities found in community, marshall points out may lead understanding of shakespeare s opinions on love , marriage. further, mechanicals understand theme take on individual parts corporate performance of pyramus , thisbe. marshall remarks actor double , divide oneself, discover oneself in 2 parts: both oneself , not oneself, both part , not part. claims mechanicals understand , each character, particularly among lovers, has sense of laying down individual identity greater benefit of group or pairing. seems desire lose 1 s individuality , find identity in love of quietly moves events of midsummer night s dream. primary sense of motivation, desire reflected in scenery depictions , story s overall mood.