Act Five, Scene One - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Act Five, Scene One

Act Five, Scene One of A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in the palace of Theseus and Hippolyta. The four lovers are preparing for their wedding.

Oberon and Titania arrive and bless the wedding. They also apologize for the trouble they caused the lovers the night before.

The Athenian tradesmen arrive and perform their play, Pyramus and Thisbe, for Theseus and Hippolyta. The play is a disaster, but Theseus and Hippolyta are entertained nonetheless.

The play ends with Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. All the characters are happy, and the play ends with a celebration of love.

Reading and Discussion of Act Five Scene One

Act Five, Scene One is a resolution scene that brings the play to a close. The four lovers are married, and Oberon and Titania apologize for the trouble they caused. The tradesmen's performance of Pyramus and Thisbe is a comedic disaster, but it provides comic relief after the dramatic events of the previous act.

The scene also explores the theme of the importance of forgiveness. Oberon and Titania apologize for the trouble they caused the lovers, and the lovers forgive them. This suggests that forgiveness is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

Conclusion

Act Five of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a resolution act that brings the play to a close. The play ends with a celebration of love and forgiveness.

Overall Analysis of A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a complex and multifaceted play. It is a comedy, but it also explores serious themes such as love, loss, and the nature of reality. The play is also full of magic and wonder, which makes it a truly unique and enchanting experience.

The play's central theme is love. Shakespeare explores the different types of love in the play, including romantic love, platonic love, and familial love. He also shows how love can be both a blessing and a curse.

The play also explores the theme of loss. Hermia and Lysander lose their freedom when they run away into the forest. Helena loses her dignity when she begs Demetrius to love her. And Titania loses her judgment when she falls in love with Bottom.

The play also explores the nature of reality. The forest is a place of magic and illusion, where anything is possible. This contrasts with the court of Athens, which is a place of order and reason. The play suggests that reality is not always as it seems, and that there is more to the world than what we can see.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a timeless classic that has something to offer everyone. It is a play that can be enjoyed on many levels, from its comedic humor to its profound themes.