Assess whether you believe Shakespeare supports or subverts societal expectations in Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream. You should consider:patriarchal ideas;the concept of arranged marriages.
Question
Assess whether you believe Shakespeare supports or subverts societal expectations in Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream. You should consider:patriarchal ideas;the concept of arranged marriages.
Solution
In Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare both supports and subverts societal expectations of the time, particularly in relation to patriarchal ideas and the concept of arranged marriages.
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Patriarchal Ideas: The play opens with Theseus, the Duke of Athens, preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. This power dynamic, with a male ruler marrying a female warrior, could be seen as a reinforcement of patriarchal norms. However, Hippolyta's character is strong and independent, suggesting a subversion of these norms.
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Arranged Marriages: The conflict between Hermia and her father, Egeus, over her marriage to Demetrius, is a clear critique of the practice of arranged marriages. Egeus invokes the ancient Athenian law that allows him to either force Hermia to marry Demetrius or have her put to death. Hermia's resistance to this law and her decision to elope with Lysander can be seen as a subversion of societal expectations.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream to both uphold and challenge societal norms of his time. He presents a complex picture of society, where patriarchal norms and arranged marriages are both reinforced and questioned.
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