Theme Of Control In A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Is it possible to control someone forever without consequences? In the book, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there are many characters who try to control each other and many fail at doing so. For example, the character, Egeus, tries to control his daughter, Hermia, but fails to. Egeus says, “As she is mine, I may dispose of her, which shall be to this gentleman or to her death, according to our law”. (1.1.42-44) There are many more examples of characters trying to control one another and most fail. This essay will follow how these characters do not accomplish their goals of trying to control each other. This also will pursue how each character tries to control other characters. Shakespeare suggests that it is now possible to control another person’s …show more content…

All of this evidence goes to show that Shakespeare tries to tell his viewers that it is not possible to control another person's actions, because the results are not permanent. Shakespeare suggests that it is not possible to control another person’s actions, because the results are wrought with unintended consequences. In act two, scene one, Oberon eavesdrops Helena and Demetrius’ conversation. While doing so, he can not help feeling sorry for Helena. He tells Robin to go use the magic flower juice on a sleeping male Athenian’s eyelids. He meant for Robin to go put the potion on Demetrius’ eyelids, but did not think if there might be the possible if there is another male Athenian, Lysander. Robin mistakenly puts the flower’s juice on Lysander’s eyelids. Helena then comes to where Lysander had been sleeping and when Lysander wakes up, he sees Helena before him. He then starts having affection for Helena. This causes Helena to try to leave Lysander, because she thought he was mocking her when she tried to make Demetrius love …show more content…

He only thought of how to control Hermia. All of this evidence shows that Shakespeare suggested that it is not possible to control another person’s actions, because there might be consequences. There are possible ways of controlling someone forever and without consequences. Although there are some sections in the book, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that might make it seem like Shakespeare is suggesting that it is possible to control another person’s actions, there is much more evidence in the text that states it is not possible to control another person’s actions. Reason is that at time and time again, the characters try to control each other, but do not succeed. In act one, scene two, Bottom tries to control his co-workers. Bottom tries to control them, because he wants to take up more roles of the play. Bottom tries to control his associates by acting the roles out and showing how great he is. He still gets denied of his roles and acts as Pyramus still. Bottom says, “Let me play the lion too: I will roar, that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me; I will roar, that I will make the duke say, ‘let him roar again, let him roar again.’” (1.2.60-63) This shows his determination to get the

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