Aristocratic, Popular, Comic, and Supernatural Elements in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Shakespeare

Aristocratic, Popular, Comic, and Supernatural Elements

The particular essay that is to be explored in the following was originally written in the late 19th century by a man named George Brandes. Bearing resemblance to the majority of his other distinguished works, “‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’—Its Historical Circumstances—Its Aristocratic, Popular, Comic, and Supernatural Elements” was first published in Danish, and soon thereafter translated into various other languages for the rest of society to enjoy. As implied by the title, Brandes discussed various elements of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that are to be summarized.

First mentioned by Brandes is the obvious aristocratic distinction in the play. This is most evidently seen in the duo, Theseus and Hippolyta, who are most frequently found in the midst of their ‘train’. This evident distinction can be seen in that the nobles are among their servants, whereas the common folk—Lysander, Helena, etc.—are not. Next, Brandes mentioned the play as having contained popular elements too. One of these is nature, as Brandes illustrates: “The country-bred youth’s whole feeling for and knowledge of nature comes to the surface, permeated with the spirit of poetry”, and that “In none of Shakespeare’s plays are so many species of flowers, fruits, and trees mentioned and characterised.” As the writer indicates, Shakespeare had a deeper feeling for, and understanding of, nature, that hadn’t until this time become entirely evident.

Brandes subsequently comments on, what he felt was, a supernatural sense to Shakespeare’s poetry in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The writer is content that this is the start of an altered form of enhanced poetry, which is later reiterated in “Romeo and Juliet”. The final element touched upon by George Brandes, in his epic essay, is that of comedy. He reflects on it with marvel: “Never before has Shakespeare risen to the sparkling and genial humour with which these excellent simpletons are portrayed.” Brandes is undoubtedly impressed with the way in which Shakespeare expressed humor throughout his play. Another means by which Shakespeare articulated comedy in his play, was through satire, as seen in the lines of Quince in Act I. Brandes found this wittiness to be quite distinct for a work of Shakespeare, but nonetheless commended it on its wonderful influence.

George Brandes closes his critical essay of a few elements of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by saying: “Shakespeare is far from regarding love as an expression of human reason” and that “The germs of a whole philosophy of life are latent in the wayward love-scenes of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” What is latent in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, though, is what Brandes considers notable elements: aristocratic, popular, comic, and supernatural. These elements, Brandes implies, highlight the intricate and elaborate qualities of Shakespearean work.

Other posts on A Midsummer Night's Dream:

References to Change in A Midsummer Night's Dream
A World of Difference: Hermia's Life in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare
What an Allusion: An Example of Change
Aristocratic, Popular, Comic, and Supernatural Elements in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Shakespeare
A World of Difference: Lysander