Antonas 1

Alex Antonas
Mrs. Driskill
AP Literature
9 March 2013
Tragedy in A Midsummer Nights Dream
A Midsummer Nights Dream, as a comedy, focuses mainly on the limitations of humans rather
than their strengths. In order to emphasize these limits and downfalls, a comedy must include elements
of tragedy, not necessarily affecting the reader in a tragic way, but to bring out the humor in a certain
situation. That is to say, while the characters themselves may be experiencing something tragic, the
audience will perceive the same event in a humorous way. While the nature of relationships and true
love are usually used as elements of tragedy, A Midsummer Nights Dream utilizes these elements to
bring out the humor in human nature.
A prominent example of an element of tragedy within A Midsummer Nights Dream is that of
love and relationships. Hermia, although engaged to Demetrius, is in love with Lysander, with whom she
plans to run away and get married. After they run away, Puck incorrectly does what Oberon tells him to
do and creates a tragic situation in which Lysander no longer loves Hermia, but Hermia is still in love
with Lysander. Pucks tragic mistake is used to emphasize the curious nature of love, and the humorous
notion that Lysander, who was so madly in love with Hermia, could so quickly fall in and out of love with
seemingly no recourse.
Another element of tragedy is the story of Titanias changeling child. Oberon wants the child for
himself, but Titania will not give it to him. Not only is the boys past tragic, but the fight between Oberon
and Titania is also quite tragic. They quarrel with such ferocity that they affect the weather and seasons.
That aspect and the aspect of Oberon, a king, being willing to basically hypnotize Titania, are both used
to bring out the ludicrous and humorous nature of the entire situation.
Lastly, Shakespeare plays the story of Pyramus and Thisbe to his comedic advantage using the
rude mechanicals. An otherwise tragic story, the rude mechanicals interpretation and performance of
the play is very humorous. This is also used as a vehicle for the main characters comedy, also making
the audience laugh.
While A Midsummer Nights Dream may be a comedy, it has very easily visible aspects of
tragedy in it as well. Pucks mess-up, the story of Titanias child, and Pyramus and Thisbe are all tragic
parts of the play, but work together to emphasize a new aspect of humor. This is very important to
understand the way that Shakespeare writes his comedies, and to give insight into why they are funny.