Harmony as Depicted in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the effect of nature and the healing power of the woods in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It shows how forest has the ability to repair social evils and restore the natural order of man, and how the universal themes of jealousy and true love depict how quarreling lovers can be brought to peace with each other by the healing properties of nature.

From the Paper:

"Shakespeare uses the universal themes of jealousy and true love to depict how quarreling lovers can be brought to peace with each other by the healing properties of nature. Originally, Demetrius and Lysander are in love with the fair Hermia. Hermia, however, only has eyes for Lysander, but her father insists that she marries Demetrius. To make matters more complicated, Helena, a friend to Hermia and Lysander, is deeply in love with Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander, planning to elope, leave the city and meet secretly in the woods. Following closely behind is Demetrius, pursued by Helena. They are met by the raw power of nature, embodied in a magical being called Puck. A servant to Oberon, King of the Fairies, Puck is the essence of the woods. Using magical flowers and confused about the identities of the nobles, he acts as Cupid and enchants the lovers, making Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena. Puck, acting as symbol of nature, works, knowingly or not, to heal the troubled lovers. Oberon wants Demetrius to love Helena. When Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius, the couples are temporarily misaligned, and when he enchants Demetrius, Hermia is left without a love. But in the woods, all error can be remedied."

More papers on Harmony as Depicted in "A Midsummer Night's Dream":

• Analytical Essay # 141207 : "Dream and Magic in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
• Analytical Essay # 3925 : "Transformations in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
• Book Review # 116389 : "Love in" A Midsummer Night's Dream"

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