Midsummer Night Dream essays

Midsummer Night Dream essays How did The Arden school of Theatres production of a Midsummer Nights Dream present the following elements of the text on stage? How did this presentation compare to your own interpretation of the text and your expectations of how it might be staged? In -this essay I will be examining the Arden School of theatre production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Examining the key elements of the plot, location and characters and considering my own interpretation. In A Midsummer Nights Dream Theseus, the duke of Athens, is about to marry Hippolyta, a lady warrior who he conquered. Egeus brings his daughter Hermia to court. She and Lysander want to get married, but Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius, who also wants her. Under Athenian law, Hermia must either marry the man of her father's choice, choose banishment to become a nun, or be executed. Theseus says he will enforce this law and gives everyone a few days to decide. Demetrius used to love Helena but has since abandoned her; she is Hermia's friend. Lysander and Hermia decide to elope and get married in the next town, beyond the reach of Athenian law. Hermia tells Helena, who in turn tells Demetrius in order to get him to love her again. Hermia and Lysander flee into the woods, Demetrius follows the lovers, and Helena follows him. Out in the forest, Oberon and Titania, king and queen of fairyland, have quarrelled over who will raise an orphaned Indian boy. They have also each slept with either Theseus or Hippolita. Oberon sends Puck to find a magic flower. This flower's juice, applied to a sleeper's eyes, will make the person fall in love with whoever he or she sees first upon awakening. Puck brings the flower, and Oberon applies it to the eyes of sleeping Titania. Oberon then tells Puck to apply it to the eyes of Demetrius, so that when he wakes and sees Helena he will love her instead. Hermia and Lysander fall asleep, with Lysander honouring Hermia's requ...