The Women of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay Example for Free

The Wo custody of A Midsummer Nights Dream EssayWilliam Shakespe bes plays often pitted men against their women in order to move the action of his plays. Strong women, however, often seemed to move against each other, as well as moving against the their male relatives and the current or future mates. The women in Shakespeares plays were non afraid to compete for knowledge, index finger, men, or any or all of the three. both(prenominal) Titanias persistence and the competition mingled with Hermia and Helena are evidence of how the so-called weaker sex is actually the controlling sex in Shakespeares play A Midsummer Nights Dream. It Hermias own series of choices that lead to the quadruplet jockeyrs being present in the woods. Demetrius, Egeus, and Theseus might believe that they are in control of her future when they sequester themselves to converse, their control over her ends the moment that they leave. The contrast between Hermia and the men is evident, even in that scene although she is willful, the older men are guided only by laws, Demetrius is arrogant and willing to see her put to ending if he defies her, and Lysander is weak-willed.Although his idea is that which is implemented as the resolution to Hermias problem, it is he who laments all of the difficulties that come with love, while Hermia is the one who points out that it is necessary to persevere (1.1.132134). It is in addition Hermias willingness to pass her plan on to her former friend, Helena, that encourages Helena to develop a plan of her own, with Demetrius being none the wiser over being hold ind.The womens power may extend, at least somewhat, from loyalty. When Hermia and Helena were friends they had a strong union, sharing everything. Shakespeare describes them as unified, Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion, Both warbling of one song, both in one key, (3.2.205-206). Maturity, however, changes this relationship as sexual politics takes the place of their original loyalt y. The bond between dissolves when a man, Demetrius, comes between them. Without this loyalty, the women discharge much of their power. When Helena makes plans to manipulate Demetrius without concern over Hermias safety it is then that events put into play by Oberons machinations, overwhelm them.Similarly, Oberon perceives Tatianas forte as coming from the loyalty to a woman, the Indian princes mother, who was a worshipper of hers. When she refuses to give Oberon the child to be his knight, Oberon plans to take the child by force. As with Demetrius, Egeus, and Theseus in the beginning, Oberon wishes to seize loyalty through force. Oberons decision has far-reaching and chaotic effects, just as Helenas plan to force affection does. Interestingly, although love moves the action of the play it is manipulation that eventually brings the events to a close. Lysanders plan to manipulate the law, Helenas plan to manipulate Demetrius, and Oberons plan to manipulate Titania all succeed, whil e the original bonds of loyalty are lost in the chaos that takes place in Act 3.Ultimately, this play shows that loyalty bunghole shift however, the individuals are stronger when they are loyal to someone than when they are not. Helena and Hermia, once so close are now completely at odds. Hermia has not only attacked Helena over her loss of Lysander, but she also mocks Helenas desire to repair their relationship (3.2.317). Because of Oberons successful manipulation, Titanias loyalty to the child is also severed. However, it is only after this destruction that newor renewedbonds of loyalty are forged.The four lovers are successfully paired with their correct mate. Titania is no longer at odds with Oberon. The only thing that remains lost, however, is the loyalty between women. Having lost that bond, all three of the women, strong at the beginning of this play, perplex themselves under the control of their husbands. Love, loyalty, and feminine strength are apparently only part of a dream, which, as Shakespeare has demonstrated, is not always a pleasant dream.