A Midsummer Night’s Chaos (Essay Sample)

Gender disparity has been present in society throughout time. While in the past, it has seemed that many agreed with and followed these stereotypes, there were still individuals who advocated for more equal rights, even in Shakespearian times. Throughout his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses power imbalances between characters to critique gender disparity and illustrate that men should not be the only ones in power, as they often create chaos.

Through Egeus and Hermia’s relationship, Shakespeare highlights power imbalances within a father-daughter dynamic. Because Hermia is in love with Lysander, instead of Demetrius, her father’s chosen suitor, Egeus believes that Lysander stole “[Hermia’s] obedience, which is due to [her father]” (I.i.37). Egeus believes that Lysander, who he views as an unworthy man has made Hermia disobedient. When Hermia resists her father’s decision for her to marry Demetrius, Egeus states that because Hermia is his daughter, “[he] may dispose of her; / which shall be either to [Demetrius] / or to her death, according to [Athenian] law” (I.i.42-44). In Shakespearian society, the law of Athens gives fathers the ultimate power over their daughters, to not only dictate their lives, but to also end their lives if they so wish. Despite Hermia’s true love for Lysander, her father insists on her marrying Demetrius, ultimately threatening that if she does not, he will kill her. However, before Theseus, the Duke of Athens, asks Hermia what she thinks of this, he advises her that “[her] father should be as a god” to whom she is only “a form in wax” to be “imprinted” (I.i.47, 49, 50). Just as one can mold wax, Theseus suggests that Hermia’s father expects her to mold her desires to fit his wishes, despite her true love for Lysander. Thus, Shakespeare presents Athens as a patriarchal society in which women are the subordinate gender. Through the father-daughter relationship of Hermia and Egeus, Shakespeare critiques gender disparity by calling attention to the unjust power that a father holds over his daughter by deciding her fate in life.

Through the consequences of Egeus’ choices for Hermia, Shakespeare illustrates that men should not be the only ones in power, as they often create chaos. Because of Egeus’ refusal to let Hermia marry Lysander, the lovers decided to run away to Lysander’s “widow aunt” where in her house, “the sharp Athenian law / cannot pursue [them]” (I.i.157, 162-163). Thus, Egeus’ insistent exertion of his power over Hermia not only results in her rejection of his authority, but also causes Hermia to run away with Lysander. If Egeus had not disapproved of Lysander, the lovers would have never fled into the woods, thus potentially preventing the chaos that ultimately ensues. Once in the woods, Hermia and Lysander tell Helena of their plan to “turn away [their] eyes” from Athens (I.i.218). However, Helena later warns Demetrius “of fair Hermia’s flight” in order to gain his appreciation (I.i.246). Because of this, Helena has now created conflict between her and Hermia. A conflict which would have never occurred in the first place if Egeus had not driven the lovers into the woods. Demetrius says to Helena, “thou [told] me they were [stolen] unto this wood, / and here I am, and wood within this wood” (II.i.191-192). Thus, Helena’s confession to Demetrius of the lover’s whereabouts leads to conflict with all four friends fighting in the woods. Ultimately, Egeus’ disapproval of Lysander and Hermia’s relationship causes a great deal of chaos, between not only him and his daughter, but also between the four friends. Through the consequences of Egeus’ choices for Hermia, Shakespeare illustrates that men should not be the only ones in power by conveying that what a man in power wants may ultimately create a great deal of chaos.

Through the shift of control in Oberon and Titania's relationship, Shakespeare highlights power imbalances within a husband-wife dynamic. Angry and distressed over Titania's refusal to hand over the changeling boy, Oberon becomes enraged when "Titania [crosses him]" and vows to "torment [her] for this injury" (II.i.199, 147). This vow, however, is not an empty promise. Soon after, Oberon orders Puck, his attendant, to fetch him a special flower. The juice of which, when put onto someone's eyes, makes them fall in love with the first thing they see when they wake. Out of spite, Oberon puts the flower's juice on Titania's eyes, cursing her to fall in love with a horrid creature. While under the love spell, Oberon intends to “make [Titania give] up her [boy] to [him]" while distracted by “hateful fantasies" (II.i.185, 258). While under normal circumstances, Titania would never surrender the changeling boy and allow Oberon to interfere with her wishes, this control has been taken from her. The moment the love spell grasps her, Titania loses all control over Oberon and his actions against her. When Oberon calls Titania a "tarry, rash wanton" and calls himself "[her] lord," Titania responds in a sarcastic tone, "then I must be thy lady." (II.i.63-64). However, after Oberon revokes Titania's control with the love spell, she unprecedently calls him "[her] lord" (IV.i.96). Whereas prior to the love spell, Titania and Oberon seemingly share equal amounts of power within their relationship, after he repeals the spell, Titania becomes much more compliant to Oberon. Thus, through the husband-wife relationship of Oberon and Titania, Shakespeare highlights the prevalence of gender disparity in Shakespearian society by conveying that husbands expect their wives to submit to their demands, whether willingly or unwillingly, and will even go to extreme lengths to gain control.

Through the consequences of Oberon's actions, Shakespeare illustrates that men should not be the only ones in power, as they often create chaos. Following an argument between Oberon and Titania over the custody of the changeling boy, Oberon decides to "watch Titania when she is asleep, / and drop the liquor of [the love flower] in her eyes" (II.i.177-178). The next morning when Titania awakes, she falls in love with the first creature she sees and becomes "enamored of an ass" (IV.i.74). Thus, Oberon uses his power as the king of the fairies create chaos for his wife, Titania, bewitching her out of spite and anger. Similarly, Oberon asks Puck if he has covered "[Demetrius'] eyes / with the love juice, as [he] did bid [him to] do" (III.ii.36-37). However, Puck accidentally "laid the love juice on some true love's sight," putting the juice on Lysander instead of Demetrius (III.ii.89). Because of this mistake, Lysander is now in love with Helena instead of Hermia, causing immense chaos in the mortals' lives. Despite this being Puck's mistake, Oberon originally tells Puck he "should know the man / by the Athenian garments he had on" (III.ii.348-359). If Oberon had been more specific in his description of Demetrius, the chaos transpiring between the lovers would be nonexistent. Oberon is using his power as the king of the fairies to create discord not only in the life of his wife, Titania, but also those of the lovers, with seemingly no regard for possible ill consequences. Through the results of Oberon's interference in the lives of Titania and the lovers, Shakespeare illustrates that men should not be the only ones of authority by conveying that the actions of a man in power may ultimately create a great deal of chaos.

In his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare highlights gender disparity through the imbalances of power within character relationships, and how this power imbalance may cause chaos. While many may believe that gender inequality decreases as the years go on, it is still very prevalent in modern society. As shown through the consequences of powerful men’s actions, Shakespeare presents that men, when in positions of power, often make irrational and inept decisions resulting in discord. Today, while gender disparity has significantly lessened, women are still often oppressed with more men than women in positions of power, some of whom cause chaos.