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Perhaps Shakespeare did this intentionally as a means of holding the limited attention of the groundlings in the audience. It is entirely possible that he preferred the fantasy existence that he created to the harsh realities of the world around him. As Frye states, "the wood-world has affinities with what we call the unconscious or subconscious part of the mind: a part below the reason's encounter with objective reality, and yet connected with the hidden creative powers of the mind" (46). Shakespeare was conceivably more comfortable with life as it exists in this subconscious world and knew that many who came to see his comedies shared his feelings.
Shakespeare similarly depicts two completely disparate worlds in The Merchant of Venice. Belmont symbolizes the fulfillment of one's dreams as evidenced by Bassanio's successful pursuit of Portia. Venice, by contrast, is a place of commerce, of ruthless businessmen, and of prejudice. Against this cruel Venetian backdrop, Shylock seeks a pound of flesh as a bond for a debt of three thousand ducats. Ronald R. Macdonald, in his work, William Shakespeare: The Comedies, eloquently describes these two diverse settings of Belmont and …show more content…
2. 461-463).
Indeed, Shakespeare makes certain that, when the curtain falls, all of the major characters in Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice are paired off and live happily ever after. This may seem overtly simplistic, but it is within this simplicity that Shakespeare reveals his genius. His chief objective is to entertain, and he does so masterfully. Through his creation of a fantasy world in which all things are possible, Shakespeare transports and transforms not only his characters, but also his audience, and his readers.
Works Cited
Borey, Edward. "Classic Note on A Midsummer Night's Dream." Classic Notes by Gradesaver. 2001. 12 March 2001. <http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/midsummernight>.
Frye, Northrup. Northrup Frye on Shakespeare. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1986.
Macdonald, Ronald R. William Shakespeare: The Comedies. New York: Twayne Publishers.
Shakespeare similarly depicts two completely disparate worlds in The Merchant of Venice. Belmont symbolizes the fulfillment of one's dreams as evidenced by Bassanio's successful pursuit of Portia. Venice, by contrast, is a place of commerce, of ruthless businessmen, and of prejudice. Against this cruel Venetian backdrop, Shylock seeks a pound of flesh as a bond for a debt of three thousand ducats. Ronald R. Macdonald, in his work, William Shakespeare: The Comedies, eloquently describes these two diverse settings of Belmont and …show more content…
2. 461-463).
Indeed, Shakespeare makes certain that, when the curtain falls, all of the major characters in Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice are paired off and live happily ever after. This may seem overtly simplistic, but it is within this simplicity that Shakespeare reveals his genius. His chief objective is to entertain, and he does so masterfully. Through his creation of a fantasy world in which all things are possible, Shakespeare transports and transforms not only his characters, but also his audience, and his readers.
Works Cited
Borey, Edward. "Classic Note on A Midsummer Night's Dream." Classic Notes by Gradesaver. 2001. 12 March 2001. <http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/midsummernight>.
Frye, Northrup. Northrup Frye on Shakespeare. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1986.
Macdonald, Ronald R. William Shakespeare: The Comedies. New York: Twayne Publishers.