William Shakespeare is one of the most successful writers of all time. Shakespeare’s highly acclaimed and commended play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was a fundamental and universal play that symbolised the theme of love. The concept of love is a common thread that runs through Shakespearean comedy. Set between 1590 and 1596, the play is about a love quadrant that obstacles of love. Though the play is set 400 years ago, it still invites the audience to further understand the concept of love and the ideas presented by it. Shakespeare has elaborated the concept of love and imagination through the development of his choices in plot, characteristics and aesthetic devices. In particular, this plotlines and construction of characters invite the reader …show more content…
This idea can be further expanded by the use of aesthetic devices including symbolism, metaphors, motifs, imagery, allusions and language. Symbolism within the play is love in idleness flower, which is the love potion. The motifs are the moon, the dreams and the eye. Imagery is the nature and surrounding. The imagery is the nature to help surround the audience into the scenery. Allusions are the Greek and Roman mythology, which represent Theseus, Hippolyta, Cupid, Pyramus and Thisbe. Language, which evokes a contrasting image of nature and portrays different perspectives to love, one has beauty and the other upholds savagery. The language used includes blank verse, rhyme and antithesis. Therefore, the aesthetic devices have further explored the concept of love and supported to create the idea that the pursuit of love can make people act foolishly.
In conclusion, Shakespeare’s use of plot, characteristics and aesthetic devices in A Midsummer Night’s Dream enables the audience to recognise that the pursuit of love has the ability to make people act foolish and irrational. Not only this, but the play has established a form of romantic comedy that conveys Shakespeare’s message of love in a light-heartened tone. Despite the 400 year gap, Shakespearean comedy and modern comedy still contribute together to share the same message, “Love makes people act