Boehrer, Bruce. Economies Of Desire In A Midsummer Nights Dream. Shakespeare Studies 32. (2004): 99-117. MLA International Bibliography.

Web. 20 Apr.2013. Bruce Boehrer is an English professor at Florida State University who has written numerous academic articles and books. His main concentrations in literature are animal studies, sexuality, Shakespeare, and early modern drama. In his article, Boehrer employs a gender studies approach to examining the interrelated themes of cross-species relationships and same-sex associations in A Midsummer Nights Dream. He argues that Titanias passionate infatuation with Bottom exemplifies bestiality. He also references Helenas I am your spaniel monologue, in which she asks Demetrius to treat her as he would a dog. In his article, he examines how these women insinuate their desires for animalistic behavior. Next, Boehrer examines the functions of same-sex interactions and how they relate to the heterosexual relationships in A Midsummer Nights Dream. In constructing his argument, he makes references to the close friendship between Hermia and Helena and also the all-male theater group of Bottom, Flute, Snug, Quince, Snout, and Starveling). He also examines the ways in which these underlying themes go against the patriarchal authority and domestic hierarchy. Bruce Boehrer constructs a very compelling argument in this article. By critically interpreting A Midsummer Nights Dream through the lens of gender studies, he is able to extract the themes of cross-species and samegender interactions and the impact they have on the heterosexual relationships. Boehrer includes references to many other scholars his interpretations. This article would be useful to anyone wishing to look at A Midsummer Nights Dream using a gender studies or feminist approach.

Buccola, Regina. The Story Shall Be Changed: The Fairy Feminism of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Fairies, Fractious Women, and the Old Faith: Fairy Lore in Early Modern British Drama and Culture. Selinsgrove, PA.: Susquehanna University Press, 2006. 5882. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism. Vol. 112. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 19. Apr. 2013. Regina Buccola is currently an English professor at Roosevelt University. The majority of her research is focused on feminism in early modern British drama. In this piece, she primarily explores the connections between women, men, and fairies in Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream. This article describes the various ways that the characters in this play violate the

accepted gender roles of the era. She describes Hermias defiance toward her father by choosing Lysander instead of Demetrius. She also explains Helenas pursuit of Demetrius into the dark enchanted woods. Buccola argues that these actions exemplify two females playing the matchmaker in their own love lives; a role typically associated with fairies. The author then proceeds to explain the numerous contradictions to accepted gender norms of the era. In the play, it is understood that these violations of acceptable female behavior occur in the magical realm of fairyland. Buccola builds her argument by recounting Lysander and Hermias unchaperoned journey into the woods at night. She then explains Titania, the fairy queen, and her passionate relationship with Bottom, the man with donkey-like features. Lastly, she recounts one of the most provocative scenes in the play; Demetrius warning to Helena about following him into the woods. Buccola explains that these actions are all characteristic of fairy behavior; full of mischief and sexuality. This article is helpful in understanding the roles and behaviors of the fairies in A Midsummer Nights Dream from a feminist perspective. Buccola argues that women are able to challenge their expected gender roles by engaging in fairy-like behaviors. The article includes many references to the play itself and to other journals, but there seems to be a lot of information that is irrelevant and unnecessary.

Sanchez, Melissa E. Use Me But As Your Spaniel: Feminism, Queer Theory, And Early Modern Sexualities. PMLA: Publications Of The Modern Language Association Of America 127.3 (2012): 493. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. Melissa E. Sanchez is a professor in the English department at the University of Pennsylvania. She has written multiple essays and books examining gender and sexuality in early literature. In this particular article, she employs the feminist approach to argue that Shakespeare uses A Midsummer Nights Dream to challenge the moral and sexual standards of that era. She does this by examining each of the relationships between the characters. First, she explores the friendship between Hermia and Helena and its influences on the relationships with the men they are pursuing. She describes their closeness as resembling a sisterhood and yet their willingness to exchange cross words with one another. Next, she makes the claim that Helena desires to be viewed as weak and helpless by both Hermia and Demetrius. She describes this as female masochism, pointing out that Helena wishes to be used by Demetrius as he would use his dog.

Sanchez describes Helenas stalking of Demetrius and his continued objection to her pursuits as a challenge to both masculinity and femininity. She sees Helenas obsession with Demetrius as going against the typical feminist view of healthy love. Likewise, she sees Demetrius willingness to continually reject Helena as a challenge to typical masculine roles. Lastly, Sanchez discusses the absurdity of the relationship between Titania and Bottom; labeling it as bestiality. She explains the allure of terrifying creaturely passions, tying it back to Helenas quote about desiring to be used like a dog. This article is extremely helpful in examining the relationships in A Midsummer Nights Dream from a feminist perspective. Sanchez incorporates many specific examples from the play and references multiple scholarly journals on the subject.

Shelley Burton English 2100: Writing About Literature Spring 2013 Instructor: Jessica Camargo Annotated Bibliography

In searching for sources for this assignment, I used UNCCs online database. I had the most success with the MLA International Bibliography database and the Literature Resource Center database. The main issue I struggled with was finding the resources that would be most helpful in meeting the requirements of this assignment. There so many articles available and at first it was overwhelming trying to figure out how to narrow down the results. It is really easy to get frustrated when searching online but I feel like the session with Ms. Gunter was extremely helpful. I feel like I have a much better grasp on how to utilize the search tools in order to get the best results. I am definitely more comfortable finding and using secondary sources than I was a few weeks ago, but I still have a long way to go. Overall, I feel like this assignment helped me to get better acquainted with the online databases and how to get the most out of them.