http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GQ61ydpYnw&feature=related#watch-main-area
The above clip is the second part of Disney's MouseTales version of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
It is very cute, with some plot elements left out (Theseus marrying Hippolyta, Titania).
Cast List:
Donald - Demetrius
Mickey - Lysander
Minnie - Hermia
Donald's Girlfriend - Helena
Goofy - Puck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXMfMID3VaA
This clip is the Animaniacs version of Puck's famous last speech. It's hilarious!
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Poet
The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,Doth glance from Heaven to Earth, from Earth to Heaven.
And, as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
Such tricks hath strong imagination,
That if it would but apprehend some joy
It comprehends some bringer of that joy.
(V, I, 10-20).
In this quote by Theseus, Shakespeare shares his apparent philosophy on the poet's purpose.
The poet is supposed to bring joy to the lives of others by giving the imagination an outlet. The poet's pen "gives airy nothing a local habitation and a name." Shakespeare certainly accomplished that in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He connected the fanciful with reality, by writing about fairies and other fantasies coexisting in the same world as us. Fairy folk and mortals alike shared the same anxieties about love, and struggled with similar problems. I think that Shakespeare's ultimate goal in writing A Midsummer Night's Dream was to bring cheerfulness into the lives of the watchers, as shared in this quote.
It is impossible to be sad or angry while reading or watching A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare writes about pure human emotion and its effects in a way that connects splendidly to each reader.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Favorite Quotes from Act IV
Oberon
May all to Athens back again repair
And think no more of this night's accidents
But as the fierce vexation of a dream.
(IV, I, 66-68).
Have you ever had a dream where it felt real, and then when you woke up for an instant you thought the dream was reality, but then you remembered it was just a dream? I think those dreams are "fierce vexations of a dream." If the dream was horrible, you feel elated that it was not real, and if the dream was fabulous, you feel incredibly disappointed and disturbed. When Titantia wakes she is ashamed that she loved Bottom. The two pairs of lovers are confused, but happy that they have "found" their true loves. Lysander and Hermia are back to being in love with each other, and Demetrius finally acknowledges his love for Helena. They may not know the logistics behind such revelations, but they are too happy to care too much.
Demetrius
But, my good lord, I wot not by what power
(But by some power it is) my love to Hermia,
melted as snow, seems to be now
As the rememberance of an idle gaud
Which in my childhood I did dote upon;
And all the faith, with the virtue of my heart,
The object and the pleasure of mine eye,
Is only Helena.
(IV, I, 163-170).
I love this confession. I did not like Demetrius previously, but in this quote his is overflowing with sincerity and love. I think it is very touching, especially how he describes how strong his love is, and then finally names Helena as his love. By using a periodic sentence, Shakespeare makes the reader to hold their breath with anticipation until the final line of the confession.
Act III - Favorite Quotes
Oberon:
We are spirits of another sort.
I with the morning's love have oft made sport,
And like a forester the groves may tread
Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red,
Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,
Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams.
(III, II, 388-393).
In this quote, Oberon is distinguishing himself and the other fairies from evil ghosts. Oberon and his fairies mostly do good, and sometimes make jests. I also love the imagery of Oberon wandering the forests until the sunrise "turns into yellow gold [Neptune's] salt green streams." I think that is beautiful.
Puck
Cupid is a knavish lad
Thus to make poor females mad.
Hermia
Never so weary, never so in woe,
Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers,
I can not further crawl, no further go.
My legs can keep no pace with my desires.
(III, II, 440-445).
I like how Shakespeare followed a generally light-hearted quote by Puck about Cupid's knavery, with a quote by Hermia, describing her sad defeat in love. It shows how people place such an importance on relationships, and are frequently disappointed. Hermia is devastated because she devoted so much energy to chasing after her love, but her "legs can keep no pace with [her] desires." I think Shakespeare is trying to point out the humor in how we are so quick to fall in love, even though we know it may be short-lived. However, I do not think Shakespeare thinks that such a chase is a complete waste of time, because even though the happiness may not last forever, a relationship provides a sense of well-being and completeness, which is always good while it lasts.
We are spirits of another sort.
I with the morning's love have oft made sport,
And like a forester the groves may tread
Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red,
Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,
Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams.
(III, II, 388-393).
In this quote, Oberon is distinguishing himself and the other fairies from evil ghosts. Oberon and his fairies mostly do good, and sometimes make jests. I also love the imagery of Oberon wandering the forests until the sunrise "turns into yellow gold [Neptune's] salt green streams." I think that is beautiful.
Puck
Cupid is a knavish lad
Thus to make poor females mad.
Hermia
Never so weary, never so in woe,
Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers,
I can not further crawl, no further go.
My legs can keep no pace with my desires.
(III, II, 440-445).
I like how Shakespeare followed a generally light-hearted quote by Puck about Cupid's knavery, with a quote by Hermia, describing her sad defeat in love. It shows how people place such an importance on relationships, and are frequently disappointed. Hermia is devastated because she devoted so much energy to chasing after her love, but her "legs can keep no pace with [her] desires." I think Shakespeare is trying to point out the humor in how we are so quick to fall in love, even though we know it may be short-lived. However, I do not think Shakespeare thinks that such a chase is a complete waste of time, because even though the happiness may not last forever, a relationship provides a sense of well-being and completeness, which is always good while it lasts.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Hermia vs. Helena... Who will win?
The tables have turned on Hermia.
She is no longer the object of Lysander and Demetrius' desires, thanks to Puck's mischief.
Poor Hermia discovers that both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly love Helena, and not her.
Hermia
What love could press Lysander from my side?
Lysander
Lysander's love, that would not let him bide:
Fair Helena, who more engilds the night
Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light.
Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know
The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?
Hermia
You speak not as you think. It cannot be.
(III, II, 185- 191)
The same man who eloped with her into the forest has now rescinded his love from her.
Meanwhile, Hermia is confused about all this sudden attention she is getting from Lysander and Demetrius, especially because neither of them were interested in her before this "fateful" night. Hermia thinks that Helena is part of this "false sport" at Hermia's expense. Hermia accuses Helena of destroying their friendship:
Oh, is all forgot?
All schooldays' friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods,
Have with our needles created both one flower...
As is our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
Like a double cherry - seemingly parted
but yet an union in partition...
And will you rend our ancient love asunder
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
(III, II, 201-216)
Both girls have misunderstood the other's intentions, and both accuse the other of plotting against them. Lysander and Demetrius aggravate the argument by calling Helena all sorts of derogatory names regarding her dark hair, such as "Eithiope" and "Tartar."
The girls soon turn on each other.
Hermia calls Helena a "juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love!" (III, II, 282-283).
Helena strikes back by calling Hermia a "counterfeit, you puppet, you!" (III, II, 288).
Soon the girls are in a Shakespearean catfight!
They insult each other endlessly. Helena calls Hermia a little vixen. Hermia makes fun of Helena's height. They basically want to make each other feel deflated and insecure.
Again, Lysander and Demetrius do not make matters any better, when they cruelly tease Hermia about being a dwarf, and generally treating her like dirt.
Eventually Helena runs away, and Hermia exits, dumbfounded by the event.
She is no longer the object of Lysander and Demetrius' desires, thanks to Puck's mischief.
Poor Hermia discovers that both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly love Helena, and not her.
Hermia
What love could press Lysander from my side?
Lysander
Lysander's love, that would not let him bide:
Fair Helena, who more engilds the night
Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light.
Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know
The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?
Hermia
You speak not as you think. It cannot be.
(III, II, 185- 191)
The same man who eloped with her into the forest has now rescinded his love from her.
Meanwhile, Hermia is confused about all this sudden attention she is getting from Lysander and Demetrius, especially because neither of them were interested in her before this "fateful" night. Hermia thinks that Helena is part of this "false sport" at Hermia's expense. Hermia accuses Helena of destroying their friendship:
Oh, is all forgot?
All schooldays' friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods,
Have with our needles created both one flower...
As is our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
Like a double cherry - seemingly parted
but yet an union in partition...
And will you rend our ancient love asunder
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
(III, II, 201-216)
Both girls have misunderstood the other's intentions, and both accuse the other of plotting against them. Lysander and Demetrius aggravate the argument by calling Helena all sorts of derogatory names regarding her dark hair, such as "Eithiope" and "Tartar."
The girls soon turn on each other.
Hermia calls Helena a "juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love!" (III, II, 282-283).
Helena strikes back by calling Hermia a "counterfeit, you puppet, you!" (III, II, 288).
Soon the girls are in a Shakespearean catfight!
They insult each other endlessly. Helena calls Hermia a little vixen. Hermia makes fun of Helena's height. They basically want to make each other feel deflated and insecure.
Again, Lysander and Demetrius do not make matters any better, when they cruelly tease Hermia about being a dwarf, and generally treating her like dirt.
Eventually Helena runs away, and Hermia exits, dumbfounded by the event.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Favorite Quotes from Act II
Fairy:Over hill, over dale,
Through bush, through briar,
Over park, over pale,
Through flood, through fire,
I do wander everywhere
Swifter than the moon's sphere,
And I serve the Fairy Queen
To dew her orbs upon the green.
The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see.
Those be rubies, fairy favors.
In those freckles live their savors.
I must go seek some dewdrops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.
Farewell, thou lob of spirits. I'll be gone.
Our Queen and all her elves come here anon.
(II, I, 2-17).
I love the imagery in this opening part of Act II. Can't you just imagine little fairies running around planting rubies in flowers and hanging dewy pearls in cowslips in the early evening? I think it is adorable.
First Fairy:
[sings] You spotted snakes with double tongue,
Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen.
Newts and blindworms, do no wrong.
Come not near our Fairy Queen.
(II, II, 9-12).
Again, this Act is full of fabulous imagery. I love the image of little fairies singing songs to protect their mistress from creepy things in the night.
Favorite Quotes from Act I
I love A Midsummer Night's Dream so far, so I thought I would share my favorite quotes from the first Act.
Hermia:
By all the vows that ever men have broke
(In number more than ever women spoke),
In that same place thou hast appointed me,
Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee.
(I, I, 175-178).
I thought that this quote was humorous, because I felt like Hermia was being a little bitter referencing all the vows that men have broken compared to the number that women have spoken. She is angry and frustrated with her father, and I think she is warning Lysander that their elopement is a very dangerous idea, and if he falls through with his promise, she will never forgive him.
Helena
O, were favor so,
Yours I would catch, fair Hermia, ere I go.
My ear should catch your voice. My eye, your eye.
My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody.
Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated,
The rest I'd give to be to you translated.
Oh, teach me how you look and with what art
You saw the motion of Demetrius' heart.
(I, I, 186-193).
I can just feel Helena's desperation jumping off the page. All she wants is for Demetrius to love her, and she feels that she needs to be just like Hermia for him to love her. I feel sorry for her. I think she is the character in the play that exemplifies the frustration of teenage love and experiences. I also feel that she is the most "human."
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