The role of men and women during this time was something that could be expected within plays. They men would fight and woo the women and the women, soft-spoken and beautiful, would long after the “perfect man”. This play, however, takes these general roles of men and women and “spins” them in an interesting fashion, but Shakespeare also focuses on the relationship (mainly marriage) between men and women in an interesting light. The King and Queen in the beginning of the play have a different relationship than what most readers during the time of Shakespeare are used to.
The King Theseus right in the beginning of the play goes on about how he cannot wait for the night he marries Hippolyta. His betrothed goes onto calm him by telling him the night will come soon enough. The Queen herself does not seem to be as excited about the wedding as the King himself is. We later learn that she was “wooed” when the King overtook her land (the Amazons) this can lead the reader towards the possible fact that Hippolyta does not want to marry this man but is being forced to. Relationships in this play are already forcing the reader to consider the term “relationship” in a new light. The “love square” is another specific part that I was interested in reading in regards to relationships within the play.
Hermia loves Lysander but she is set to marry Demetrius who does love her and he is followed by Helena who loves Demetrius. This interesting knot of love and lust is something that I took particular attention to. The reader learns of Hermia and Lysander’s plan to escape and marry (which did remind me of the unforgettable Romeo and Juliet story) however the entrance of Demetrius and Helena added some drama to the story itself. To note that Helena and Demetrius were once engaged lets the audience feel like they are a part of a taboo relationship. It was common for women to marry who ever the father saw fit and to have Hermia disregard her father adds another feeling of taboo to the story itself. As a reader I tended to question Shakespeare for writing this during a time when relationships were thought to be set in stone and adultery was not a laughing matter. That led me into the next part of the story where the fairy King and Queen were arguing over their own relationship problems.
The fairy King (Oberon) is certain that his Queen (Titania) is in love with the King Theseus. The fairy Queen is also certain of the Kings’ love for the Queen Hippolyta. This confusion and distrust is something that most writers during this time would not have openly shown to the audience. My first question would be was Shakespeare ridiculed and possibly “punished” for these taboo subjects? It would take a secure writer to even consider writing a play with these themes.
New Paltz Students Blogging about Shakespeare
2 comments:
This fits in well with the gender discussion we had in class. And that's a good point- was Shakespeare scandalized for writing about this taboo subject matter? I wouldn't be surprised if he was.
One of the things i debated on when it came to Theseus and Hippolyta, is whether or not she really loves him or not. It seems obvious that she is a trophy wife to Theseus. But it is not so obvious her placement in this marriage.
On one hand, he defeated her and took her as a prize which could probably enrage her and make her less excited. But if that is so, she is of a warrior culture and being so, she could destroy him if that were the case (there's also the suggestion that because she's military based that she is planning her attack still and waiting until they're married to strike, perhaps have a kid who has both her's and his military strengths.)
But then there's the other side to the argument that because she is a Warrior Queen the fact that he did defeat her might have earned him her respect and admiration which possibly could translate into love or into respect only. I mean come on she totally could like rip him in half while they're just walking around together. She doesn't really have much to lose since they already took her whole world away.
As for the aloofness and stoic behavior, Hippolyta is also supposed to be from a warrior culture one without men. So her signs of affection are probably much more less than the average Athenian or English woman. We can see the contrast in her behavior versus Hermia and Helena, and even go as far as Titania. All three are very outspoken due to the oppressed virile society of Athens. She might show affection similar to the way a man would (a possible gender disruption) which averagely isn't on the same open level as a woman.
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