Romantic Comedy in A
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Romantic comedies are watched in movie theaters all over
the world. Oxford Dictionary gives
the term romantic comedy the definition of “a general term for comedies that
deal mainly with the follies and misunderstandings of young lovers, in a
light-hearted and happily concluded manner which usually avoids serious
satire.” Shakespeare uses romantic comedy concept to display a humorous effect
on the play.
Shakespeare uses this technique through the character’s
actions, thoughts, and dialogue. The line said by Bottom, “Let me play the lion
too: I will roar, that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me; I will roar,
that I will make the duke say ‘Let him roar again, let him roar again.’ ” (1,
2, 68-71), brings humor because he believes he is the best actor and his
cockiness is funny. Another line said by Titania, “While I thy amiable cheeks do
coy, And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head, And kiss thy fair large
ears, my gentle joy,” (2,4,1-4) is funny because Titania, a beautiful queen
fairy who is under a love spell, is in love with Bottom, who has a head of an
donkey. The last quote was said by Helena, “Wherefore was I to this keen
mockery born, When at your hands did I deserve this scorn?” (2, 2, 130-131),
brought the humor because after Helena chasing after Demetrious and thinking no
one would ever love her, Lysander professes his love for her. She takes it as a
joke and it funny because the audience knows that it is the complete opposite
of what all the lovers want and that Lysander is under a spell. All these
quotes bring humor to the play and bring out the romantic comedy aspect of it.
Romantic comedies are seen all over the world. They are
very popular because they both appeal to men and women. Examples of these
movies are He’s Just Not That Into You
and The Proposal. He’s Just Not That Into You deals with
Gigi, a women who has had bad luck finding love. She befriends Alex, and he
gives her tips on dating and men. As they get to know each other she professes
love for him, but he does not for her. At the end of the movie, he realizes he
loves her and they are a couple. Gigi and Alex are a lot like Helena and
Demetrius. Helena professes her love for Demetrius. Demetrius doesn’t love her
but after his eyes put under the love spell he falls in love with her. The Proposal is another romantic comedy
that deals with a woman that forces her worker to marry her to stay in the
country. It is similar to Demetrius and Hermia because Hermia is being forced
to marry Demetrius. Romantic Comedy are seen and been known for many years and
Shakespeare being one of the first to evolve it.
Romantic Comedies are seen in movie theaters around the
world. Shakespeare used that effect in A Mid Summer Nights Dream to give the
effect of humor. The characters’ show it in there dialogue, actions and
thoughts.
