Discuss the traditional Shakespearean comedy aspects in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
1. Introduction to Pygmalion as a Romance George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, published in 1913, is a play that defies many of the conventions of traditional romantic dramas. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century England, it tells the story of Henry Higgins, a phonetics professor, and Eliza DoRead more
1. Introduction to Pygmalion as a Romance
George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, published in 1913, is a play that defies many of the conventions of traditional romantic dramas. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century England, it tells the story of Henry Higgins, a phonetics professor, and Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl who undergoes a dramatic transformation under his tutelage. Although Pygmalion has often been interpreted as a romantic comedy, Shaw deliberately subverts typical romantic tropes, making the play a complex commentary on class, language, and identity. By discussing the play as a romance, it is necessary to explore both its adherence to and deviation from romantic conventions. Shaw engages with the idea of romance but does so in a non-traditional way, challenging the audience's expectations of relationships and transformations.
2. The Classical Pygmalion Myth and Romance Elements
To understand Pygmalion as a romance, it is essential to refer to its mythological roots. The play's title refers to the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with a statue he carves. In the myth, Pygmalion becomes so enamored with his creation that he wishes for it to come to life, and the goddess Aphrodite grants his wish. This myth, filled with romantic notions of love, transformation, and idealized beauty, provides the basis for Shaw’s play. However, while the classical myth revolves around a romantic union between the artist and his creation, Shaw’s Pygmalion does not lead to a conventional love story between its two central characters, Higgins and Eliza.
The romance in Shaw’s version lies more in the transformation of Eliza rather than in a romantic entanglement. Just like in the myth, Eliza is “created” or transformed by Henry Higgins, who reshapes her through education and language. The romance, therefore, is not between the two protagonists in a conventional sense, but in the process of self-realization and the metaphorical “coming to life” of Eliza as an independent and assertive individual.
3. The Non-Traditional Romantic Relationship Between Higgins and Eliza
The relationship between Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle is the heart of the play, but it is far from a traditional romantic pairing. While there are hints of mutual dependence and affection, Shaw purposefully avoids the conventional trajectory of romantic relationships. Throughout the play, Higgins is depicted as arrogant, insensitive, and emotionally detached. His treatment of Eliza is often dismissive, viewing her as an experiment rather than a human being with feelings and desires. His lack of emotional depth makes him an unlikely romantic hero.
Eliza, on the other hand, evolves from a flower girl to a confident woman who understands her own value. Her transformation is not just a result of Higgins’ teachings but also her own determination and resilience. As she becomes more self-assured, the dynamics between her and Higgins shift. While traditional romance would expect the two characters to fall in love by the end of the play, Shaw denies the audience this resolution. Instead, Eliza asserts her independence, rejecting the notion of becoming a passive recipient of Higgins’ affections. This deliberate subversion of romantic expectations challenges the traditional notion of romance, emphasizing personal growth and independence over romantic union.
4. The Role of Colonel Pickering as a Romantic Foil
Colonel Pickering, a secondary character in the play, serves as a romantic foil to Henry Higgins. Where Higgins is brusque and dismissive, Pickering is kind, considerate, and respectful toward Eliza. Throughout her transformation, it is Pickering’s gentle manner and acknowledgment of Eliza’s dignity that help her realize her own worth. In contrast to Higgins, who sees Eliza as a project, Pickering treats her like a lady from the beginning. This contrast highlights a more traditional form of romance that values respect, kindness, and mutual admiration.
Pickering’s role, however, remains platonic and fatherly rather than romantic. While he represents qualities traditionally associated with romance, Shaw once again subverts expectations by keeping his relationship with Eliza non-romantic. His character underscores the theme of respect and recognition of one’s humanity, values that Eliza comes to demand from everyone, including Higgins. Pickering’s presence in the play adds complexity to the theme of romance, emphasizing that genuine affection and care need not be romantic in nature.
5. Eliza’s Romantic Transformation: Beyond Love
The central transformation of Pygmalion is not Higgins’ or Pickering’s, but Eliza’s. Her evolution from a poor flower girl with a thick Cockney accent to a poised, articulate woman is the play's primary romantic narrative. This transformation, while orchestrated by Higgins, becomes a romance of self-discovery for Eliza. As she learns to speak properly and presents herself as a lady, she also begins to realize her potential, identity, and independence.
Unlike traditional romance plots, Eliza’s transformation is not motivated by love or a desire to win over a suitor. Rather, it is driven by her need for self-respect and agency. By the end of the play, she no longer needs Higgins, and she expresses a desire to leave him and marry Freddy Eynsford-Hill, a young man who has shown her affection. Yet, even this potential romantic relationship is downplayed. Freddy, unlike Higgins, loves Eliza, but he is depicted as weak and ineffectual. The romantic subplot with Freddy remains understated, as Shaw emphasizes Eliza’s independence over her romantic affiliations.
6. The Rejection of a Romantic Ending
One of the most significant ways in which Pygmalion diverges from traditional romance is through its ending. Unlike the classical Pygmalion myth, where the sculptor and his creation unite in love, Shaw’s play denies a romantic resolution between Higgins and Eliza. While there are moments of affection and tension between the two, Eliza ultimately rejects the idea of staying with Higgins, refusing to be subservient to him or to remain under his influence. She declares her intent to make her own way in the world, whether that involves marrying Freddy or not.
Shaw’s refusal to give the audience a traditional romantic ending reflects his critique of romantic conventions. He resists the idea that a woman’s worth is tied to her relationship with a man or that romance must culminate in a union. Instead, Shaw portrays Eliza as a woman who has come into her own, rejecting the conventional narrative of romantic dependency. This subversion of the romantic genre forces the audience to rethink what romance can mean, focusing not on romantic love but on personal growth, freedom, and autonomy.
7. The Social and Intellectual Romance of Pygmalion
Beyond its exploration of personal relationships, Pygmalion can also be viewed as a romance between language, class, and identity. The play explores how speech and manners can shape an individual's social standing and self-perception. For Higgins, language is a tool of power and control, while for Eliza, it becomes a means of liberation. Their interactions are not just about personal transformation but also about navigating the rigid class structures of Edwardian England.
The romantic notion of transformation and self-improvement is central to the play, but it is framed within the larger context of social mobility and class distinctions. The romance in Pygmalion is not just between individuals but between ideas – the idea that identity can be shaped and reshaped through education and social interaction. In this sense, Pygmalion is a romance of the mind as much as of the heart, with language serving as the key to personal and social evolution.
Conclusion
In Pygmalion, George Bernard Shaw plays with the conventions of romance, both embracing and subverting them to explore themes of transformation, identity, and independence. While the play is rooted in the romantic tradition of transformation, it rejects traditional romantic resolutions, particularly the idea of romantic union between Higgins and Eliza. Instead, Shaw presents a romance of personal growth and intellectual awakening, with Eliza's transformation standing at the heart of the narrative. In doing so, Pygmalion offers a fresh, thought-provoking take on the romance genre, emphasizing independence and self-discovery over conventional romantic relationships.
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1. Introduction to Comic Elements in Shakespeare's Plays William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is widely regarded as one of his most delightful and imaginative comedies. In this play, Shakespeare employs a variety of typical comic elements that were characteristic of his comRead more
1. Introduction to Comic Elements in Shakespeare's Plays
William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is widely regarded as one of his most delightful and imaginative comedies. In this play, Shakespeare employs a variety of typical comic elements that were characteristic of his comedic works, blending romance, magic, and mistaken identities to create a humorous yet profound exploration of love and human folly. The play’s magical setting, intricate plots, and the presence of supernatural beings add to its unique charm, making it an excellent example of Shakespearean comedy. Through the lens of comic misunderstandings, witty dialogues, and a happy resolution, Shakespeare captures the complexities of relationships in an entertaining way. In this exploration of A Midsummer Night's Dream, we will discuss the key Shakespearean comic elements that drive the humor and playfulness of the text.
2. Complex and Interwoven Plots
One of the most distinctive features of Shakespearean comedy is the use of multiple, intertwined plotlines. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, there are several overlapping stories: the romantic entanglements of the Athenian lovers (Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius), the quarrel between the fairy king Oberon and queen Titania, and the comedic escapades of the "rude mechanicals," led by Nick Bottom. These plotlines are skillfully interwoven to create a dynamic narrative that oscillates between reality and fantasy, chaos and resolution.
The Athenian lovers' storyline revolves around misunderstandings, unrequited love, and the comic effects of the love potion. Hermia and Lysander's forbidden love, Helena's unreciprocated affection for Demetrius, and the sudden reversal of affections caused by Puck's intervention create a comic confusion of desires. Meanwhile, the conflict between Oberon and Titania over a changeling boy introduces the magical realm into the play, while the "rude mechanicals" offer comedic relief through their bumbling attempts to stage a play. This complex structure of interwoven plots is a hallmark of Shakespearean comedy, keeping the audience engaged with twists and turns while showcasing the ridiculousness of human behavior.
3. Mistaken Identities and Role Reversals
Mistaken identities and role reversals are central to Shakespearean comedy, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream is no exception. Throughout the play, characters fall in love with the wrong people due to magical interventions or misunderstandings, leading to comedic situations. The love potion used by Puck causes Lysander and Demetrius to both fall in love with Helena, abandoning Hermia, which results in confusion and chaos among the lovers. The shift in affections is both humorous and poignant, as it exaggerates the irrationality and fickleness of love.
Role reversals also play a significant role in the comic structure. Titania, the fairy queen, falls in love with Bottom, who has been transformed into a creature with a donkey’s head by Puck’s magic. The absurdity of this situation, where a majestic queen fawns over a man with an animal's head, exemplifies the play’s use of humor through transformation and the inversion of societal roles. These instances of mistaken identity and role reversal are used not only for comic effect but also to underscore the unpredictability of love and attraction, a common theme in Shakespeare's comedies.
4. The Supernatural and Magic
Shakespeare’s use of the supernatural in A Midsummer Night's Dream adds a whimsical layer to the comic narrative. The presence of fairies, magical potions, and enchanted forests enhances the play’s otherworldly atmosphere, where normal rules and logic no longer apply. The character of Puck, Oberon’s mischievous servant, embodies this magical element. His role as a trickster figure drives much of the play’s humor, as he mistakenly administers the love potion to the wrong characters, resulting in comical consequences.
The magical elements in the play allow Shakespeare to explore themes of illusion versus reality, as characters under the influence of magic behave irrationally and unpredictably. The transformation of Bottom into a creature with a donkey’s head and Titania’s infatuation with him further highlight the absurdity that arises from the supernatural. The audience is invited to laugh at the ridiculousness of these situations, while also reflecting on the play’s deeper themes about the nature of love and desire. Magic, in this sense, becomes both a plot device and a symbol for the irrationality that often governs human relationships.
5. The "Rude Mechanicals" and Comic Relief
In Shakespearean comedies, there is often a subplot featuring lower-class characters who provide comic relief through their clumsy antics and misunderstandings. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, the "rude mechanicals" fulfill this role. Led by Nick Bottom, these amateur actors attempt to stage a play for the Duke’s wedding, and their ineptitude is a source of great humor. The mechanicals’ play, Pyramus and Thisbe, is a parody of tragic romance, and their over-the-top performances and misinterpretations of dramatic conventions provide a lighthearted contrast to the more serious themes of love and desire that occupy the other plotlines.
Bottom, in particular, is a figure of comic absurdity. His inflated sense of self-importance and lack of self-awareness lead to humorous situations, such as his transformation into a creature with a donkey’s head, which he does not even realize. His interactions with the fairy queen Titania, who has been magically enchanted to fall in love with him, further heighten the comic absurdity. The mechanicals’ bungling efforts to produce a play mirror the confusion and disorder of the lovers’ plot, but in a much more exaggerated and ridiculous manner. Their inclusion in the play showcases Shakespeare’s ability to blend high and low forms of comedy, appealing to a wide audience.
6. Wordplay and Wit
A key element of Shakespearean comedy is the use of wordplay, puns, and witty exchanges between characters. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, much of the humor comes from the characters’ clever use of language, particularly in the interactions between the lovers. Helena’s self-deprecating wit, Lysander and Demetrius’s exaggerated declarations of love, and the playful banter between the characters create a lively and humorous tone throughout the play.
Puck, too, engages in wordplay and clever repartee, using his wit to manipulate the other characters and comment on the absurdity of their situations. His famous line, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” encapsulates the playful, mocking tone of the play, as Puck observes the ridiculousness of human emotions and actions. The use of puns and clever dialogue is characteristic of Shakespeare’s comedic style, creating humor that is both intellectual and accessible.
7. Resolution and Happy Ending
Shakespearean comedies typically conclude with a harmonious resolution, often involving the reconciliation of characters and multiple marriages. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the play concludes with the restoration of order and the resolution of the lovers’ conflicts. The love potion’s effects are undone, and the couples are properly matched: Hermia with Lysander, and Helena with Demetrius. The Duke, Theseus, gives his blessing to their marriages, and the play ends with a celebratory tone.
The mechanicals’ performance of Pyramus and Thisbe during the wedding festivities adds to the lighthearted and joyous conclusion, as their unintentionally comedic rendition of a tragic tale provides entertainment for the higher-class characters and the audience alike. The fairies also make an appearance at the end, blessing the marriages and reinforcing the magical, dreamlike quality of the play. This resolution, where love triumphs and harmony is restored, is typical of Shakespearean comedy, emphasizing the themes of reconciliation, renewal, and the triumph of love over chaos.
Conclusion
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a quintessential Shakespearean comedy, filled with the typical comic elements that characterize his works: mistaken identities, interwoven plots, supernatural elements, witty dialogue, and a happy resolution. Through these elements, Shakespeare creates a play that is both humorous and thought-provoking, exploring the complexities of love, desire, and human folly in a playful, magical setting. The combination of the absurd, the romantic, and the fantastical makes A Midsummer Night’s Dream* a timeless example of Shakespeare’s comedic genius, blending humor with deeper reflections on the nature of love and human relationships.
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