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Examples Of Pessimism In Shakespeare's The Lysander-Hermia

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Examples Of Pessimism In Shakespeare's The Lysander-Hermia
I do personally think Shakespeare was intentional in retaining the charm. Literary geniuses the like of William typically don’t, as a general rule, make such conspicuous oversights. Maybe he didn't think we'd notice upon first watching and/or reading, but on further reflection this becomes obvious and intriguing. In terms of the play, it does make sense to me that Puck kept it on Demetrius. Perhaps it’s my inherent pessimism, but I feel it’s one of the many examples of “concord of discord” as Theseus puts it in 5.1-light interchangeable with darkness-of the play. All is not what it seems with the “happy” couples. For example, Hippolyta’s enthusiasm about her marriage to Theseus is questionable at best-due to her status as his conquest-and even less assured if you remember that within Greek mythology, something Shakespeare’s audience would have been familiar with, Theseus is said to abandon Hippolyta and run off with Phaedra. …show more content…
Ultimately, though, it’s my interpretation they are not destined for contentment either, much as I feel Demetrius and Helena also aren’t. In 1.1.226-28, after Lysander, Hermia, and Helena all talk together, Hermia leaves about a line and a half before Lysander. This may seem innocuous, but as Joyce van Dyke asked, why doesn’t she just leave with her lover? Joyce’s proposal-which I think is definitely worth thinking about-is that Shakespeare wants Hermia to go offstage so Lysander can flirt with Helena: “...Helena, adieu. As you on him, Demetrius dote on
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