Professor Landreth
GSI Aileen Liu
English 117A
Essay #3
8 December 2015 What’s In A Name - “Fair” In A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it can be noticed that there have been numbers of appearances of the word “fair” that is being uttered by several characters to their targets, such as Hippolyta and Hermia. At the beginning of the play, i encounter the first word “fair” that comes out from Theseus, the Duke of Athens to his fiancee, Hippolyta. Based on Act 1 Scene 1, Theseus says, “Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour/ Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in/ Another moon;” (1.1.1-3). In the context, Theseus is complaining about how much longer time he has to wait for his wedding with Hippolyta. From there, the word “fair” suggests Hippolyta a majestic being in the eyes of Theseus, her fiance. Two separate passages from the play that comes out from Theseus says, “Long withering out a young man’s revenue” (1.1.6) and “Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword” (1.1.16). Those statements by Theseus to Hippolyta explain that the way he expresses his desire to Hippolyta indicates his acknowledgement on Hippolyta as a powerful person. “Out a young man’s revenue” (1.1.6) and “wooed her with a sword” (1.1.16) offer the idea that Hippolyta is no ordinary being in the play. She is a person with an …show more content…
“Fair” as featured in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, can be interpreted in different ways, either through power, upbringing or physical look. But all of the interpretations eventually fall into one objection, which is to summon a captivating charisma. These are proven by the way Helena acquires her “fairness”. Hippolyta and Hermia already possess the title “fair” from the beginning of the play. But something good happens to Helena. Thus, her character is designed to be justified to be equal like Hippolyta and Hermia, instead of being oppressed at the