Comparing Hamlet 'And' A Midsummer Night's Dream

Both Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream have a play within a play. Shakespeare uses this technique similarly between the two plays. This means both plays have a similar structure. Moreover, they are both performed for nobility. Both the King and Queen in Hamlet are watching the play (3.2). Similarly, in A Midsummer Night's Dream the main cast, who would be considered nobility watch the play (5.1). The similarity between the plays is with the audience, which they are performing for, nobility. Both Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream are structured around the rich and the powerful. In Hamlet the main characters are King Claudius and Hamlet, a king and prince. In MND the main characters are of high social standing. Shakespeare uses

Furthermore, he uses these similar characters and audiences for different purposes.

There are clear important differences between the purposes of the mini dramas. In Hamlet Shakespeare uses a play within a play to move the plot forward. On the other hand, A Midsummer Night's Dream's play within a play does not move the plot forward. In Hamlet, Hamlet is speaking to the players of the play within a play "Though in the meantime some necessary question of the play be then to be considered. That's villainous and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it" (3.2.44-47). He speaks to the actors in the play as to instruct how they should play real events. In MND the play within a play happens in the last act of the story. Because of this it does not move the plot forward. However, Shakespeare uses it for comedic affect to end his play. One difference between these plays is how one pushes the plot forward, while the other could otherwise be taken out from the story all together, without substantially affecting the plot. Furthermore, the play in Hamlet uses the story of the play to explain to the audience the guilt and treason of the king. In contrast,