An Annotated Bibliography
Hacht, Anne Marie. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespeare for Students: Critical Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Plays and Poetry, edited by Anne Marie Hacht, 2nd ed., vol. 2, Gale, 2007, pp. 578-613. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2896100029/GLSu=tel_a_pstcc&sid=GLS&xid=b1f33290. Accessed 27 Oct. 2018.
In a section within this article, Hacht exploits the idea of true love being shared between couples that barely no each other. The idea of two people falling in love that have little in common with each other is true in this play, because they do not have much interaction with the opposite sex until marrying age. Another claim made by this article is that people who are not smitten with love are also in love; they are for no apparent reason. This is a reasonable proposition since Demetrius’s obsession with Hermia is relentless even though he and Helena have a romantic history together. This document is useful for supporting the harsh characteristics of love and how the basics of love do not make sense.
Gianakaris, C.J. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Overview.” Reference Guide to English Literature, edited by D. L. Kirkpatrick, 2nd ed., St. James Press, 1991. Literature Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1420007263/GLS?u=tel_a_pstcc&sid=GLS&xid=01fb5adc. Accessed 2 Nov. 2018.
Gianakaris expresses how Shakespeare is unique for using “young love” first in a play. This overview expresses the use of blank verse being used to exploit the seriousness of young love shared by the characters. This reference is useful for understanding the way that love was expressed in the play, and how serious it was. For example, Puck’s misuse of the love serum greatly increased the love between the smiting characters and boosted the quality of the love shared. Shakespeare is the most influential person with love stories, and Gianakaris depicts the importance of Shakespeare’s contribution to the romantic plays.
Olson, Paul A. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Meaning of Court Marriage.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 82, Gale, 2004. Literature Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1420063497/GLS?u=tel_a_pstcc&sid=GLS&xid=0e67876b. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018. Originally published in ELH, vol. 24, no. 2, June 1957, pp. 95-119.
Olsen explains that love takes two forms: rational and irrational. These two forms are seen differently between the forest and the city. The city has rational love, for it is the basis of logic and reason. The forest, on the other hand, is the source of disorder within the play; the love that the forest has is not based upon reason. Olsen explains the universality of love and proves that kit is inevitable in both realms of the play. This article is useful for people to understand the value of love being evident anywhere in any situation.
Slights, Camille Wells. “The Changes and Chances of Mortal Life in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Lawrence J. Trudeau, vol. 152, Gale, 2014. Literature Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1420116403/GLS?u=tel_a_pstcc&sid=GLS&xid=539127a2. Accessed 29 Oct. 2018.
Slights describes the result of love as being a prescribed pattern within the play; for example, the characters that are supposed to be in love with each other will be righteously united at the end of the play. Each of the characters—by the end of act three—state their eternal love to the person that the story, and they have a “happily ever after” kind of ending. This article is useful to bring the power of love to light. For example, Slights explains that the courage displayed by Hermia to stay a virgin or be executed rather than marry a man she does not love is evidence of strong love for Lysander. This is clear evidence of rebellion for true love and Slights proves to readers that love—even though it is tough—finds a way to be the perfect fit for these troubled couples.
Snider, Y Denton J. “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Laurie Lanzen Harris and Mark W. Scott, vol. 3, Gale, 1986. Literature Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1420018801/GLSu=tel_a_pstcc&sid=GLS&xid=bf80bc4e. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018. Originally published in The Shakespearian Drama, a Commentary: The Comedies, by Y Denton J. Snider, Sigma Publishing Co., 1890, pp. 378-427.
Snider displays the love within A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare as having three manifestations: the love harmony between Theseus and Hippolyta, the love-conflict in the rude mechanicals, and the love conflict between Egeus and the lovers. The forms that love takes are individually based upon the circumstances of the recipients and the way that society views their love. Snider also talks about Puck’s mistake by making the wrong person fall in love with the wrong recipient; the lovers were in love with their haters for a duration of the play. This article is useful for understanding the reasons behind the actions the characters do for love. Snider also emphasizes that even though these characters have had a rough few days, they still have a happy ending.