Christa Fieeiki

April 9, 2015
Bridging the Arts- 3rd Writing Analysis
A Midsummer Nights Dream, Salt Lake Community College Theatre
Wednesday, April 9, 2015, Salt Lake Communitys College Theatre held a play for
Shakespeares play A Midsummers Nights Dream in Salt Lake City at South City Campus
in the Black Box Theatre for all to attend.
Synopsis: A Midsummer Nights Dream is one of William Shakespeares most
popular comedies. It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of
amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies, and a duke and duchess.
Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy
king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver whos transformed into halfdonkey, wood sprites and elves.
Major Character: HermiaIn the beginning of the play we are introduced to the character, Hermia, as the disobedient
daughter of Egeus. Egeus wants his daughter to marry, Demetrius, a man he approves us though
Hermia is in love with Lysander. Hermia had portrayed many traits throughout the play, such as, fear,
hope, and bewilderment through each artistic element. She displayed fear in the beginning of the play
through her love to Demetrius and her rebellion towards her father. The rhythm of the background
music near beginning of the play was very low and serious setting the mood of the father. The music
caused you to feel tension between Egeus and Hermia creating a slow tempo between. The low
rhythm of the music and slow tempo strong create a strong energy from Hermia though she is

portrayed as afraid. She knows the law of the land, and she knows if disobeys her father, she will
receive the death penalty. There were many themes shaped throughout the play from beginning to
end. A theme of hope in scene 2 through her agreement to Lysanders rebellious plan to elope is
recognized. A flower of hope develops in heart, and she is determined to write her own destiny.
Through an accident caused by an unbeknownst fairy, Puck, Hermias one true love, Lysander ends
up falling in love with her best friend Helena who had followed Hermia and Lysander into the woods
with Demetrius. A scene that really had my attention was the argument between Hermia and Helena
as they were both in a state of bewilderment. The lighting of this seen is low, causing it to be dark
with just a red spotlight being the only color. Red symbolizes anger and passion. I feel this was an
appropriate choice of lighting because they were angry, frustrated, and in a state of bewilderment.
The darkness contrasted with the red lighting really made it so you can see and feel anger as
Hermia and Helena argue.
Major Character: King Oberon
King Oberon was portrayed as a man of power, however a fairy, in A Midsummer Nights
Dream. Authority is recognized in King Oberon by the way he constantly commanded his henchman
Puck to fulfill his requests. You can tell he had an authority by the way he stood; his body shape and
movement was seemed very confident. However, his wife Titania, Queen of the Fairies, is definitely
just as strong-minded as well which causes a clash between the King and Queen because of the
mutual characteristics of leadership. King Oberon displays a variety of traits or themes throughout
the play which helps his character grow; jealousy, anger, revenge, guilt, and compassion. Jealously is
recognized when Queen Titania accuses him saying, These are the forgeries of jealousy. And
Oberon asks Puck to get the juice from an herb he once showed him and anoint the eyes of Titania
with it so she falls in love with something ridiculous. This is a clear sign of anger for disobeying him
and some sort of harmless and humorous revenge. He clearly loves her and just wants her all to

himself again. Titania falls in love with a donkey which leads Oberon to feeling guilty and reversing
the magic which demonstrates his mercy in the 3 rd scene, saying Her dotage now I do begin to pity.
King Oberon also displays a theme of compassion when he sees that Helena is clearly in love
with Demetrius but their love isnt mutual. He continues to sit and watch these two bicker, with a
large space in between him and them, trying to give them privacy though they cannot see him.
Sitting there and watching them causes him to feel for Helena. His lines are clear of compassion and
states (Act 2 Scene 1) A sweet Athenian lady is in love with a disdainful youth. Anoint his eyes; But
do it when the next thing he espies May be the lady. Thou shalt know the man by the Athenian
garments he hath on. Effect it with some care, that he may prove more fond of her than she upon her
love. His timbre towards puck is calm and concerned. I found it interesting how involved he was
with their relationship because its not often that you find someone in a monarchy type of
government to have a type of compassion. Even though there is a mishap, Oberons intentions are
good and he is ultimately responsible for everyones happiness at the end of the play.
At the end of this play I was very pleased with what I had spent my money on. Its not too
often that I watch plays but this one had my full attention the whole time. From the beginning when
Hermia is banned from marrying her one true love to the end when the amateur actors display a play
within a play. I was part of A Midsummer Nights Dream play in sixth grade so it made it easier for
me to follow along with the actors and their Shakespearean language. I believe the actor did a very
good job portraying each character, as well as those who were in charge of lighting and background
props. There were many themes portrayed through this whole play and I recognized each artistic
element being used from beginning to end. Overall this was well put together and I very much
enjoyed it.