Literary Terms in A Midsummer Night's Dream

Slide 1: ShakeSpeare an Drama: CritiCal literary ConCeptS

Slide 2: I. Figurative Language

Slide 3: A. Definition 1. Describes something by comparing it to something else. a. Comparison is not literal – uses imagination b. Uses images in the comparison c. The two things are different enough so that their similarities, when pointed out, are interesting, unique, or surprising.

Slide 4: 2. Three Main Types Here, Theseus refers to a married woman as a “rose distilled” to emphasize that a married a. Metaphor woman has a purpose in life. i. Direct comparison of two unlike things that have something in common. “But earthlier happy is the rose distilled, ii. Does not use “like” Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, or as” – says one Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness” (I.i. 76-78) thing IS another thing. Here, Theseus refers to a nun as a rose that grows, lives, and dies all alone on the vine, to emphasize that such a woman lacks a real purpose in life and is all alone.

Slide 5: To convince Hermia that she should listen to her dad, Theseus compares him to a god. b. Simile i. Indirect comparison of two unlike things. “To you your father should be as a god, ii. Uses “like” or “as” – One that composed your beauties; yea and one does NOT say that one To whom you are but as a form in wax object IS the other thing. By him imprinted and within his power To leave the figure or disfigure it” (I.i. 47-51) He then adds emphasis by comparing Hermia to a wax figure that her father carved. He says her dad has the power to leave the statue complete, or destroy it.

Slide 6: Here, Hippolyta emphasizes her unhappiness by saying the moon (Artemis) will c. Personification witness what will happen. i. Gives human qualities “And then the moon, like to a silver bow to an inanimate object New-bent in heaven, shall behold the night or idea. Of our solemnities” (I.i. 8-10). ii. Qualities include emotions, desires, Ex: “But earthlier happy is the rose distilled, sensations, speech, Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, gestures, etc. Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness” (I.i. 76-78) Returning to our earlier metaphor example, Theseus says that the distilled rose is happier than the one that never gets used. Giving a flower emotions is personification. This emphasizes his view that Hermia will be happier if she marries Demetrius than if she becomes a nun.

Slide 7: II. Soliloquy

Slide 8: A. Definition 1. A speech given by someone alone on stage (soli = alone, loquere = Latin for “to speak”) 2. The character talks to him/herself, not to any other characters. B. Serves several main purposes: 1. Reveals a character’s true inner thoughts and feelings 2. Can give insights into the plot – plans the character is making, ideas he / she has 3. In other words, it allows the audience to learn things that they would never otherwise learn.

Slide 9: C. Key soliloquies in MND 1. Helena, Act I.i 4. Oberon, Act II.i 7. Bottom, Act IV.ii