Marriage, Male Friendship, and Desire in A Midsummer Night's Dream

The video explores the themes of desire and control in Shakespeare's plays, particularly focusing on A Midsummer's Night's Dream. It discusses historical perspectives on male friendships and marriage, the use of magic and authority to control desire, and the symbolic nature of these actions. The play's queer themes and the instability of societal norms are also examined.

In early modern England, what was often seen as more important than marriage?

• The relationship between a man and a woman

• The relationship between a king and his subjects

• The relationship between two male friends

• The relationship between a mother and her child

What does 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' primarily explore regarding human desire?

• The purity of romantic relationships

• The importance of family bonds

• The control and policing of desire

• The inevitability of love

How does Oberon attempt to control Tatiana's desires in the play?

• By offering her wealth

• By using a love potion

• By isolating her from others

• By threatening her with violence

What does the love potion in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' symbolize?

• The unruly and unpredictable nature of desire

• The stability of societal norms

• The predictability of human emotions

• The power of true love

What is the primary purpose of the love potion in Oberon's plan?

• To create harmony among the characters

• To strengthen Tatiana's maternal instincts

• To embarrass Tatiana by making her desire something undesirable

• To make Tatiana fall in love with Oberon

What is significant about the wall in the play within a play?

• It is played by a man, highlighting the instability of norms

• It is played by a woman

• It is made of real bricks

• It represents the stability of societal norms

What does the play within a play in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' suggest about societal norms?

• They are irrelevant to the characters

• They are unchangeable and rigid

• They are universally accepted

• They are as stable as the people who create them