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Midsummer Night's Dream + Related Texts

Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595), Rebecca Young’s Western Suburbs Hero (2001) and the feature article written by Tony Vermeer Couple’s campaign against heartbreak (Sunday Telegraph, Feb, 2008) highlights that all individuals experience displacement, it is a paradigm present in every aspect of society. Displacement occurs as a result of the rejection of traditional societal values and social establishmentarianism. The dialogue provides insight into the assumptions underlying the concept of displacement.

Act One; Scene One of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream explores displacement as a paradigm present in every aspect of society. Displacement is shown through the rejection of parental authority which is evident in today’s society. Shakespeare highlights displacement through the use of the harsh verb ‘dispose’ in reference to Egeus’ decision to marry off his daughter or send her to her death. The changing relationship between father and daughter, suggests displacement of both Hermia and Egeus. The verb highlights the consequences of rejecting parental authority. The noun ‘disobedience’ highlights Hermia’s rejection of her ‘father’s will’. Hermia is rejecting parental authority and traditional societal values. The rejection of parental authority highlighted in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an assumption underlying the concept of displacement. Hermia is willing to permanently displace herself and put herself in danger by rejecting her father’s will and running away with Lysander. Hermia no longer respects society’s values and authority and this causes her displacement. The rejection of traditional societal values tests the boundaries of social value and confronts the audience.

In Act Two, Scene Two of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream explores the experiences of displacement present in all aspects of society. Demetrius’ rejection of Helena causes her to suffer low self...

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