Theme Of Irrational Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Irrational love is a theme throughout “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Our project looked at this theme as a common thread that was spun into multiple scene and exemplified by a variety of characters. For this analysis of the theme of irrational love I will primarily focus on the relationship between Bottom and Titania. Throughout the paper I will summarize the other two relationships, Lysander and Helena as well as Demetrius and Helena. For continuity I will focus on the section that I most closely read while highlighting the themes within the other sections. 1. The scene opens with Bottom lamenting his current situation as the “ass” of the group. He is re assuring himself that he is indeed as talented as he thinks while coming to terms with his …show more content…

The spell seems to have changed not only her perspective on beauty but also the situation. She had fallen asleep under some distress but we note that she speaks of her “flowery bed” which shows an up-turn in her general attitude. Bottom then deflects Titania’s compliment, stating, “a bird? Who would give a bird the lie, though he cry ‘cuckoo’ never so?” This is an interesting choice by Bottom, as a character so full of his own abilities he is unable to accept the praise of a beautiful woman. This shows a level of insecurity that isn’t indicative of his character; Bottom is very confident but seems to be coy under this circumstance. He even goes so far to name the many beautiful song birds to which he is inadequate. Titania continues her advances, requesting of Bottom, “I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again”. She has been completely moved by his singing and his form. She then claims, “On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.” This is completely irrational for a variety of reasons. They have only briefly met each other and Bottom, with the head of an ass, provides no reason physically or intellectually for Titania to be so enamored with

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