A Midsummer Night’s Dream Literary Elements A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Contrast between what is expected and what actually happens Irony Contrast between what is expected and what actually happens

Three Types of Irony 1) Dramatic – when readers know more than the characters. 2) Situational – Intention and result differ; outcome is different from what is expected. 3) Verbal – Expression and intention are opposite.

Dramatic Irony In some situations, the audience, has a lot more information about what's happening on stage than the characters. For example: In the play, we know the fairies use magic to play pranks and to make the characters fall in and out of love, but the lovers have no idea what's happening to them. This is a classic case of "dramatic irony" (when the audience knows more than the characters do so that the characters' words and actions have a different meaning for us than they do for the characters on stage). It's a technique Shakespeare uses for comedic effects throughout A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Dramatic Irony Example Two In Act 3, Scene 1, Bottom's head is transformed into that of an "ass" (a.k.a. donkey). Bottom doesn't know what's happening, so he's really confused when his pals run away in fear. Bottom thinks he's being tricked and, when he's left alone on stage, he complains to us: "I see their knavery. This is to make an (donkey)- of me, to / fright me, if they could" (3.1.16). Of course, when Bottom accuses his friends of trying to "make an (donkey)" of him, it's funny to us because we know something that Bottom doesn't – he literally has been made into an a--. (Also, his name, "Bottom," becomes very fitting.)

Situational Irony Situational irony is when the outcome is different from what is expected. Example: In "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Oberon orders Puck to put the juices from the flower, or the love potion, into Demetrius's eyes so that he will fall in love with Helena. The situational irony here is that Puck accidentally puts the love potion into Lysander's eyes, therefore making Lysander fall in love with Helena, and NOT Demetrius.

Verbal Irony Verbal irony is the easiest for students to understand because it is the use of words to express something different and often opposite to their literal meaning. Example: When something bad happens and a person comments, "Oh, great," this is an example of verbal irony.

Symbolism A symbol is a person, place, or object that stands for something beyond itself. For example: a flag is a colored piece of cloth that stands for country. Symbols in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Moon, Flowers, Fairies, Mechanicals, Theseus, Hippolyta, etc. Find one symbol in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and explain what it is symbolic of?

Example: Moon Symbolism There is a definite emphasis on the importance of the Moon in A Midsummer Night's Dream– its image shows up all over the place. This is why three of the planet Uranus’s moons are named for characters in this play – Titania (the largest), Oberon, and Puck. The Moon and Time When we first hear about the moon in the play, it is used to mark the passage of time. In Theseus's opening speech, he complains that time is passing too slowly and he blames the moon because he has to wait four whole days for his wedding night: Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace; four happy days bring in Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires. (1.1.1)

Do Now What are the differences between a book and it’s movie version? Write a list of possible differences.

MOVIE VS BOOK Movies let us watch what’s happening. Books let us feel what’s happening. Movies rush through the story in two hours. Reading is a leisurely experience. We read a book a little at a time over days or weeks.

WHY THE DIFFERENCE? Why is the adaptation of the book so different from the film? The answer is TIME. The screenwriter has to cut out subplots, characters, settings, and descriptive passages in order to reduce a plot to its bare bones. Sometimes screenwriters add characters to create conflict, romance, or to recite dialogue that advances the plot. What we see on the screen is a summary of the book.

HOW MUCH IS LEFT OUT? How much of a book is omitted from the movie version? Wired magazine analyzed 18 recent films to find out. The result: 1,000 book words equal 2 screen minutes. A thousand words is roughly 4-6 pages depending on type size, page layout and use of dialogue and description. Using the Wired formula, at least 25% of a book is omitted from the movie version.

SCREENWRITER VS AUTHOR The screenwriter of the film and the author of the book have the same goals in mind. Both use storytelling patterns. The filmmaker tells the story with images, using lighting, camera angles, costumes, makeup, and physical action. The book author tells the story with words that create images in the reader’s imagination.

Learning Focus   How does an actor's or director's adaptation of a story or drama change its meaning? How do adaptations impact a student's perception of the story or text? A director or actor's choices in a film/live production impact the understanding of a text or script.

Learning Objective I know directors/actors/producers make intentional and unintentional decisions about what to include, omit, or emphasize in a production.

Targets I can compare the film/live production of a story or drama with the text or script version. I can contrast the film/live production of a story or drama with the text or script version. I can analyze how a film/live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from a text/script. I can evaluate the decisions made by the director or actors in the interpretation of the story or drama.

NOTE: What is the difference between evaluate and analyze? Evaluation - Decides the value of something, e.g., Tells you if something is good or bad, useful or not useful, valid or invalid. Analysis - Finds out the parts of something, e.g., its elements, structure, processes. Typically, you need to do an analysis before you can do an evaluation.

Vocabulary Adaptation Director Film Interpretation Live performances Script

Assessment You will write 3 paragraphs. You will compare Act 1, Scene 1 to either The Globe theatre play or the film. You must answer the following questions: How does an actor's or director's adaptation of a story or drama change its meaning? How do adaptations impact a student's perception of the story or text? A director or actor's choices in a film/live production impact the understanding of a text or script. You must use the vocabulary from the list when you explain your argument

Brainstorming – 15 minutes With your group, brainstorm ideas for each of the 3 questions. Think about how you can use the vocabulary in your written response. Think about the differences between a book and its movie version. Think about evidence you can use. Think about your targets to demonstrate understanding.