Examples Of Allusions In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Overall-

Analyzation:

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there are dozens of allusions to a variety of different topics. Examples found in Act One include Cupid, Theseus, and Phoebe. All three allude to Greek mythology and were used to provide deeper understandings for the audience. “Allusion[s], in literature, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text. Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author’s referent,” (Sinha).

Cupid is mentioned numerously throughout the course of the play because he is a symbol of love. After Hermia and Lysander leave Helena distraught, she speaks her thoughts in a soliloquy. She states, “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind;/ And therefore is winged Cupid painted

blind,” (I.i 240-241). Helena is implying that not only the god of love but love itself is blind and has no good judgment. Cupid, “was often represented as blindfolded, because love is often blind,” (Hamilton 37). The audience, no matter what level of education, was most likely familiar with Cupid, and could reference it while listening to the play.
The audience would also be familiar with the background of the duke of Athens, Theseus. The novel commences with Theseus and Hippolyta planning their wedding. He says in the beginning of act one, “Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword,/And won thy love, doing thee injuries;” (I.i 17-18). Theseus is known as the legendary Greek hero of Athens who defeated the minotaur and married Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons, (Hamilton 160). Phoebe was also alluded in the play and used when Lysander is explaining to Helena that he and Hermia are fleeing at night. “Helen, to you our minds we will unfold,/ Tomorrow night when Phoebe doth behold/ her silver visage in the wat’ry glass…” (I.i 213-215). Phoebe is the Greek lunar deity who is also known as, Diane or Selene. Shakespeare uses these allusions to Greek mythology to provide a further and more in depth understanding of his comedy.

Quote:
134-137; “Ay me! For aught that I could never read,
Could never hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
But either it was different in blood–”
In this quote, Lysander and Hermia are depicted as complaining about the unjustness of their situation. Hermia’s father, Egeus, brought her and Lysander in front of the duke of Athens, to try and persuade Hermia to marry Demetrius, rather than Lysander. The duke, Theseus, tells Hermia that she can, marry Demetrius, become a nun and never become married, or be executed as the Athenian law states. The duke gives her four days to ponder her decision, so that she will not make a rash commitment. Lysander and Hermia are left alone, and Lysander says this iconic quote. When he says this, it gives an insight to future events, which will not “run smooth”. Lysander could also be comparing love to a river rapid that does not run smooth, but instead, dismayful.

Question and Answer:
How were women suppose to act during the times depicted in the play?
Women in the Renaissance age were expected to obey their fathers and husbands, in any case. This is verified when Hermia attempted to defy her father, but was instead threatened with execution. Hermia unorthodoxly stands up for herself in this quote, “I do entreat your Grace to pardon me./ I know not by what power I am made bold,/ Nor how it may concern my modesty/ In such a presence here to plead my thoughts…” (I.i. 60-64). Women in these times had no voice, but Shakespeare provided women with wishes and views in this play.

Connection:
“That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, ‘Stay away from Juliet’
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you, "Please don't go"
And I said...

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.

I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,

It's a love story, baby, just say, ‘Yes’.

-Love Story by Taylor Swift

This song is about a Romeo and Juliet type of romance, and can connect to Hermia and Lysander’s situation in the play. The two lovers in the song cannot be together because of the female’s father, and they try to escape to be together. Hermia and Lysander are also kept apart from Hermia’s father and plan to run away together. This is seen in act one, “...may I marry thee;/ And to that place the sharp Athenian law/ Cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me, then/ Steal forth thy father’s house tomorrow night,/ And in the wood a league without the town/ ...There will I stay for thee,” (I.i 163-170). Lysander proposes the couple escape to his aunt’s residence outside of Athens, so her father cannot punish

them.