Dead Poets Society And A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dead Poet Society is a film directed by Peter Weir that tells the story of a group of youth who are stuck living the way their strict parents and conformist boarding school wants them to. Their lives are forever changed after meeting the new zany English teacher, Mr. Keating, who sheds new light on poetry and prompts them to “seize the day”. After a series of events including forbidden club meetings where poetry is read aloud, the characters must face challenges and ultimately, find their own voice. What makes this film so truly remarkable is the exemplary use of literature as each poem, whether they know it at the time or not, symbolizes the depth each character has. Puck’s closing speech in A Midsummers Night’s Dream recited by Neil Perry, one of the young men in the film, is no exception.

Opening with the line “If we shadows have offended” referring to the way Neil knows his passion for acting upsets his father sets the stage for what’s to come. “Think but this, and all is mended” goes on to mean if his father looks back on Neil’s life, he’ll see that his son always obeyed what was asked except for this one time. Neil has been living up to false expectations that never take into account what he truly wants. He will not put his dreams and desires on hold any longer as explained by the line “no more yielding but a dream”. There is no other way; Neil must be himself if he wants success in what actually matters. All can be forgiven is his dad will “pardon” and they can “mend”. He will try to be a good son- that is the truth as he is an “honest Puck”. Their obstacles at times when they do not see eye to eye can be