Abstract
The paper analyzes the treatment of kinship in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" and considers why family relationships are such a frequent subject in these genres. The paper shows how kinship is treated in relationship to its role in patriarchal societies in both of these two plays. The paper explains how kinship is a powerful plot driver in both plays, due to the fact that kinship, as epitomized in the paternal bond, lies at the heart of patriarchy.

From the Paper
"It is not surprising to find family relationships to be such a frequent subject in these genres - after all, these are the deepest ties that bind, and thus offer a rich source to be mined for both comedy and tragedy. In both of these plays, kinship is crucially important because it sets up the problems that are key drivers of the plots. In Midsummer Night's Dream, the problem consists in the fact that a father is attempting to invoke paternal authority to thwart the romantic wishes of two of the principal players. Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, is pleading with Theseus, Duke of Athens, to force his (Egeus's) daughter Hermia to marry the man Egeus has picked for her: Demetrius. Hermia is insisting she would rather marry the man she loves, Lysander."

Tags:family, relationships, patriarchy, paternal, bond

Abstract
This paper presents a literary analysis of the role of kinship in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream." The paper explains that these two plays may seem at first to have little in common. The former is a tragedy, the latter is a comedy. True, their settings are surprisingly similar, in that Shakespeare chose to set his play in ancient Greece. However, as most of Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in an enchanted forest, the geographical setting is not especially relevant. This paper examines the treatment of kinship in these two plays, and consider why family relationships are such a frequent subject in these genres.

From the Paper
The Treatment of Kinship in Oedipus the King and Midsummer Night's Dream Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream are two plays which seem at first to have little in common. The former is a tragedy, the latter is a comedy. The paper notes that their settings are surprisingly similar, in that Shakespeare chose to set his play in ancient Greece; however, as most of Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in an enchanted forest, the geographical setting is not especially relevant. This essay will analyse the treatment of kinship in these two plays, and consider why family relationships are such a frequent subject in these genres. It is not surprising to find family relationships to be such a frequent

Tags:Greek, play, family, conflict

Abstract
The paper examines a passage from the beginning of the final, short scene of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", that is, Act V Scene ii. The paper discusses the speech by Puck, who is preparing the way for the final appearance of the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania. The paper relates that the whole of Act V is unusual, in the sense that the story has already ended by the end of Act IV, and thus, this passage is part of an extended, joyful bookend to the play. The paper explains that the passage's primary function within the play may be seen as clearing the way for a final blessing to be bestowed on the happy ending of the play, and of course on the happy lovers.

From the Paper
"This passage is the beginning of the final, short scene of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", that is, Act V Scene ii. It is a speech by Puck, who is preparing the way for the final appearance of the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania. The whole of Act V is unusual, in the sense that the story has already ended by the end of Act IV. Thus, this passage is part of an extended, joyful bookend to the play. The passage's primary function within the play may be seen as being to clear the way for a final blessing to be bestowed on the happy ending of the..."

Tags:midsummer, nights, dream

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to understand what Shakespeare meant by the title "A Midsummer Night's Dream" following the clues in key speeches. It also looks at the theme of the title, midsummer madness and supernatural elements.

From the Paper
"The themes embodied in Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream recall the line that questions whether all that we see or seem is merely a dream within a dream. Unlike his other plays the title of Shakespeare's fantastic..."

Tags:Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream, Dreams

Abstract
In this article, the writer studies Act III Scene 1 of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare. The writer focuses on Sir Philip Sydney's defense of poetry in the play.

From the Paper
"This paper discusses Act III Scene 1 in the light of Sir Philip Sydney's contention in his "A Defence of Poetry" that "Poesie therefore, is an Art of Imitation: for so Aristotle termeth it in the word mimesis (24), that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth to speak Metaphorically. A speaking Picture, with this end to teach and delight." Act III begins when the craftmen bumble in to set up their attempt at drama. Puck asks ironically, "What hempen ..."

Tags:midsummer, night's, dream

Abstract
This paper discusses Shakespeare's play; "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and analyzes how it satisfies the functions of literature, raising a heightened sensitivity of the complexities of life. The paper also discusses plot devices.

From the Paper
"A Midsummer Night's Dream: One of the functions of literature is to force the reader to question the things he has taken for granted; another is to heighten his sensitivity to the complexities of life and individuals. Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" fulfills both functions masterfully. Shakespeare's play creates an intricate juxtaposition of plot and characters that reduces even the careful reader to a state of confusion."

Tags:A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare, literature

Abstract
The paper discusses the sinister undercurrents in William Shakespeare's comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

From the Paper
"Although Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is regarded by critics as a comedy, at times there are more sinister undercurrents in the play that suggest it has a darker side. This essay will examine specific elements of the play to argue that Shakespeare balanced his comedic intent with a desire to explicate the aspects of human nature that are less than perfect and benevolent. Several characters i.e. Theseus, Egeus, Demetrius and Titania are each capable of using their..."

Tags:Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Abstract
In this article, the writer first looks at the artist William Shakespeare and then studies his work "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The writer discusses the play and notes that while the situations portrayed in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' are hilarious to the point of being absurd, ultimately the play serves a higher purpose - that is, to affirm the value of love and pleasure in an often hostile universe. The writer concludes that whatever way one chooses to interpret 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the play's goofy characters, outrageous situations, and rich language have ensured the play's status as a classic work of English literature.

Outline:
William Shakespeare the Artist
A Midsummer Night's Dream

From the Paper
"A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most beloved romantic comedies. It consists of three plots that are chaotically interwoven in order to elicit an atmosphere of magic and the absurd, as well as love and the unknown. Throughout the course of the play, people from all different class backgrounds interact, and against the setting of a magical night forest, they come into contact with a band of mischievous fairies whose pranks will temporarily transform some of the characters, while making others' dreams come true.
"At the center of A Midsummer Night's Dream is the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens to the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta. Egeus has chosen Demetrius to marry his daughter Hermia - and Hermia is unhappy with the decision. To rebel, she runs away from Athens into the magical forests surrounding the city alongside her lover Lysander, with whom she hopes to elope. Hermia tells her best friend Helena of her plans."

Tags:King, Oberon, Hermia, Hippolyta, Puck

Abstract
In this paper, the theme of love relationships in A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare are analyzed. By understanding the often unpredictable nature of love that arises within these characters, the two main love relationships between Hermia and Lysander and that of Helena and Demetrius are analyzed, revealing their very similar changes of loyalty and devotion that occur throughout the play. The writer discusses that without a stable sense of love that is often provide through forced marriages and through fairy world intervention, the lovers eventually sort out their differences, but without a great deal of betrayal and desire driven factors that simply cannot be controlled.

Tags:love, midsummer

Abstract
The paper asserts that Shakespeare's well known early comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is very true to its title, as it is entirely founded on the themes of dream, sleep and magic. The paper discusses how the three themes are closely related to each other and in the context of the play it is not easy to discuss one without bringing in the others as well. The paper describes how these magical effects, these alterations and transformations, are frequently performed while their unwilling subjects or victims are asleep, and often dreaming. The paper clearly shows how the connection between dreams, visions and magic as such is very tight in the play.

From the Paper
"Shakespeare's well known early comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is very true to its title, as it is entirely founded on the themes of dream, sleep and magic. In fact, the three themes are closely related to each other and in the context of the play it is not easy to discuss one without bringing in the others as well. One thing that is interesting is that the word "magic" itself is not to be found anywhere in the play, even though it is central to a lot of the workings of the plot and even plays a role in the subplot of the mechanics' play. The nature of the fairy-folk, who motivate the story, is..."

Tags:shakespeare, magic, dreams