Blog 10

Shakespeare appears to be cynical about the human race in his portrayals of the characters in some of his most noted plays. To name a few, Richard III, Aaron, and Bolingbroke all act in ways that would send them to the most internal circles of Dante’s hell. Some believe that even his comedies, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, have cynical qualities that make people question whether or not Shakespeare believes “true love” exists.

Shakespeare spends most of A Midsummer Night’s Dream convincing the audience that love is fleeting, and he pokes fun at the idea of true love with Oberon’s use of “love juice” on the lovers and Titania [COMPOUND SENTENCE]. However, in the last act he gives the sliver of hope that is “Pyramus and Thisbe;” this leads me to believe he does not have a concrete idea of what love is. Who are we to decide what love is anyway? [USE OF ‘WHO’] Because he only gives dialogue and no stage direction, the play-within-a-play is left up to the audience’s interpretation. We must decide who is in love with whom, and which love is real [USE OF ‘WHOM’]. Shakespeare recognizes the fact that there are many different types of love in the world, and it is not up to one person to decide whether or not that love is “true.” It is up to the lovers alone.

The portrayal of “Pyramus and Thisbe” in performance is pivotal to giving meaning to the play; when a director misunderstands Shakespeare’s notion to keep love a mystery, the whole point of A Midsummer Night’s Dream can be missed. Michael Clemons’ 1999 version [USE OF POSESSION ON A SINGULAR NOUN ENDING IN ‘S’] captures the essence of Shakespeare’s underlying message in act five, whereas the British Broadcasting Corporation version released in 1981 misses its mark [USE OF ‘ITS’].

BBC’s version of “Pyramus and Thisbe” has no departure from the themes in the rest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Theirs does not grip the audience or give them anything to think about. Similar to the previous acts, the clowns are dopey yet good-natured [USE OF ‘THEIRS’]. During Quince’s prologue, he is nervous and enthusiastic about showing his play. He fidgets frequently and his voice shakes, yet when his comrades enter the stage he becomes more confident. During Quince’s character introductions, the actors accentuate their poor acting skills by using pantomime to indicate emotions. When the play begins, Pyramus and Thisbe are mediocre. They use voice infliction, but with little body language to show the passionate love they feel for one another – they spend most of the play facing downstage. Pyramus has a direct departure from his character when he corrects Theseus – he says, “No, in truth, sir, he should not [curse again]. ‘Deceiving me’ is Thisbe’s cue” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1.182-183). The director accentuates this departure by having Bottom take a bit of food from Theseus’ table before resuming his character. This small act follows suit with Bottom’s passion for the play and constant desire to be in the spotlight.

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The over-dramatization of “Pyramus and Thisbe” is countered beautifully with Thisbe’s final monologue after she finds Pyramus dead. Flute begins his lines, “Asleep, my love? What, dead, my dove” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1.320-321) in his high-pitched girl-voice. Provoked by the audience’s cruel laughter at his performance, Flute shifts his whole character persona to become tender and sensitive and hurt [SERIES OF THREE ITEMS CONNECTED WITH ‘AND’ AND NO COMMAS]. He takes off his wig and assumes a softer voice, filled with emotion when he says “Come, trusty sword, Come, blade, my breast imbrue” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1.338-339). This character shift is glaring after 200 lines of farce. He portrays true, unabashed love. In ten lines, Flute causes the audience to question the idea that Shakespeare had been driving home throughout the whole play; love is cursory.

It is the nature of human beings to strive to find the good in each situation we encounter. Shakespeare allows the audience to find the good in A Midsummer Night’s Dream through “Pyramus and Thisbe.” He provides an opportunity to find hope that true love exists. There are many different types of love in the world, all unique in their absoluteness. Shakespeare is right in suggesting that you cannot judge whether true love exists based off the stories of others. We must ask ourselves whose responsibility it is [USE OF ‘WHOSE’]. True love is something you must find yourself – the responsibility is yours [USE OF ‘YOURS’]. It is a secret shared between the two lovers [SIMPLE SENTENCE]. No one else in the world will understand that love, because we can only understand our own [COMPLEX SENTENCE]. Thank you for your attention, Max.

            Most sincerely,

                        Emily Neeleman