Michael Hoffman's 1999 film interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream written by William Shakespeare is quite different than the original play, most noticeably in regards to style of reading and character representation. The film turns characters such as Duke Theseus of Athens and mischievous fairy Puck into less complicated versions of themselves in order to appeal to the larger audience. This did not come without backlash, as many would argue that this in fact took away the deeper meaning of the play. Michael Hoffman's 1999 film version of A Midsummer Night's Dream modified the original humor of the play in order to appeal to the modern audience in theaters. The changed elements to appeal to the broader audience include; the feud between
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In the original play, Theseus was the most powerful character in the play, he could have the final say in any matter, but he was a fair ‘judge’ in the play and gave Hermia options when he was told to decide her death or force her to marry. Theseus had some incredible insight that was brushed over and not given the proper importance in the film adaptation, such as when explaining to Hermia her limited choices at the beginning of the play: “Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires; Know of your youth, examine well your blood, Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice, You can endure the livery of a nun, / For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, / To live a barren sister all your life, / Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Thrice-blessed they that master so their blood, To undergo such maiden pilgrimage; / But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, / Than that which withering on the virgin thorn Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness” (Meyer 3). Some of the only aspects of Theseus that the director adheres to in comparison to the original play was that Theseus was given the choice of judgement in Hermia father’s punishment for her. It is understandable, however, why the director changed the importance of Theseus in the play, as he wanted the audience to focus on the …show more content…
However, it seems like Puck is made out to be more of a foolish character than the witty but mischievous character he was in the original play. Hoffman creates a new, more relatable character in his interpretation of the play by making the lovable, smart, but mischievous fairy named Puck into more of a laughing stock of compiled of silly mistakes. For example, in the original play, Puck had insightful moments where he could foresee bad situations coming: “The king doth keep his revels here to-night: / Take heed the queen come not within his sight; / For Oberon is passing fell and wrath, / Because that she as her attendant hath”(Meyer 13). Hoffman has indeed appealed to a larger audience, such as easy moviegoers and children, but those seeking deeper characters with insight and complexity are once again left in slight disappointment.
Michael Hoffman’s 1999 film interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare captures the modern audience’s hearts by adapting some of the humor and the characters from the original play. Although some of the deeper contexts of the play had been lost, perhaps the audience may find that Hoffman had indeed created an alternate deeper meaning by making the subtle argument of the fact that teenagers and adults alike will always find a way to try to make the best of what they have, but sometimes
In the original play, Theseus was the most powerful character in the play, he could have the final say in any matter, but he was a fair ‘judge’ in the play and gave Hermia options when he was told to decide her death or force her to marry. Theseus had some incredible insight that was brushed over and not given the proper importance in the film adaptation, such as when explaining to Hermia her limited choices at the beginning of the play: “Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires; Know of your youth, examine well your blood, Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice, You can endure the livery of a nun, / For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, / To live a barren sister all your life, / Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Thrice-blessed they that master so their blood, To undergo such maiden pilgrimage; / But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, / Than that which withering on the virgin thorn Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness” (Meyer 3). Some of the only aspects of Theseus that the director adheres to in comparison to the original play was that Theseus was given the choice of judgement in Hermia father’s punishment for her. It is understandable, however, why the director changed the importance of Theseus in the play, as he wanted the audience to focus on the …show more content…
However, it seems like Puck is made out to be more of a foolish character than the witty but mischievous character he was in the original play. Hoffman creates a new, more relatable character in his interpretation of the play by making the lovable, smart, but mischievous fairy named Puck into more of a laughing stock of compiled of silly mistakes. For example, in the original play, Puck had insightful moments where he could foresee bad situations coming: “The king doth keep his revels here to-night: / Take heed the queen come not within his sight; / For Oberon is passing fell and wrath, / Because that she as her attendant hath”(Meyer 13). Hoffman has indeed appealed to a larger audience, such as easy moviegoers and children, but those seeking deeper characters with insight and complexity are once again left in slight disappointment.
Michael Hoffman’s 1999 film interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare captures the modern audience’s hearts by adapting some of the humor and the characters from the original play. Although some of the deeper contexts of the play had been lost, perhaps the audience may find that Hoffman had indeed created an alternate deeper meaning by making the subtle argument of the fact that teenagers and adults alike will always find a way to try to make the best of what they have, but sometimes