Contrasting Settings in A Midsummer Nights Dream :: comparison compare contrast essays

Contrasting Settings in A Midsummer Nights moon William Shakespeares play, A Midsummer Nights Dream offers awonderful contrast in human mentality. Shakespeare provides insight into mansconflict with the rational versus the perceptional characteristics of our behavior by dint of his settings. The rational, logical side is represented by Athens, withits flourishing government and society. The frantic emotional side isrepresented by the fairy woods. Here things do not make sense, and mysticalmagic takes the place of human logic. both impulse may be acted upon withouta forethought to at that place outcome. The urban center of Athens represents the epitome of civilized man. Ruled bythe laws of man and unploughed in check by societys own norms. The human struggle to hold its unrestrained and irrational tendencies, still being undertakentoday, discourages the civilized man from devising efflorescence and foolish actions.Thus every action should affirm a tidy and logical purpose, ground on the socialnorms. In the play, Egeus, the father of Hermia, has thoughtfully chosen whathe considers an acceptable mate to wed his daughter. Egeus most apt(predicate) basedhis decision on economic, political, and social factors in his choosing ofDemetrius. He is making a reasonable decision based on Hermias future in theirsociety. Unfortunately Hermia is smitten by Lysander and vice versa. Althoughher father may have made his decision with every good intension, keeping withthe traditional custom of his day, and even perhaps taking into considerationsuch things as attractiveness, he failed to foresee the desires of his daughter.The young Lysander, who like most young men, cares little for the rules ofsociety, is unforced to break tradition and flee Athens to obtain Hermia.Therefore they essential leave the rational Athens to enjoy their irrational love. Theseus, the king of Athens, is the highest attribute of law and order inhis kingdom. After winning a struggle with a nother kingdom, he chooses to marrytheir queen, Hippolyta. His decision may very wellspring have been inspired by love,but the political ramifications of their marriage is a more plausible rationale.In fact Theseus apparent love for Hippolyta seems or so as an added reward toan already beneficial partnership. Whether any attraction was there or notprobably would not have made a difference. As king, Theseus must place thekingdom before his own feelings. It plain comes with the position. In short Athens represents the desire to suppress feelings and impulsesand to make decisions based on logic. Thus it does not give the power of rawemotion the true respect it requires, for man is both emotional and rational.