Midsummer Nights Dream: Shakespeare vs. Michael Hoffman Essay

midsummer Nights Dream Shakespeargon vs. Michael Hoffman A Midsummer Nights Dream is nonpareil of Shakespeares most popular and frequently performed comical jokes (Berardinelli). The form transform into a cinematic production by Michael Hoffman has not changed in its elemental plot and dialogue, plainly the backcloth and some character traits have. The play setting has been gracefully moved from 16th century Greece to 19th century Tuscany (Berardinelli). The accessory of bicycles to the play affects the characters in that they no longer have to chase each other around the woods, but can take chase in a more efficient fashion. As far as characters are concerned, Demetrius is no longer the smug and somewhat rude character we recuperate in act 1, scene 1 (Shakespeare pg. 6, line 91), but quite an a seemingly indifferent gentleman placed in an pathetic circumstance set to delay his wedding to Hermia. Perhaps the most broad change in the character set from stage to lead occ urs in the characters of puck and cut off potty.Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, is established in the play as the jester to the King of Fairies, Oberon. He first appears in be 2, Scene 1 when he and another fairy discuss the disagreement between Oberon and titanic oxide are having. The fairy gives us some recital of Pucks character as she describes how Puck frights the maidens of the villagery and Misleading the night wanderers (Act 2.1, line 35). When Titania refuses to give up the boy servant that Oberon wants, he comes up with a plan to steal the child, and enlists Pucks help to do so. Oberon is fully aware of Pucks desire to have a good time at the expense of others, but trusts him with the task of retrieving the flower to make Titania betide in love with Lion, Bear, Wolf, or Bull. (Act 2.1, line 180) The idea here is to lead Titania to hand over the changeling boy while she is irrational with a beast. Being attracted to mischief, Puck seems excited to be tasked to this adv enture, and claims to re wrench deep down forty minutes (Act 2.1, line 176) so that they can get started on their plan.Puck describes his harmful behavior as if it is all logically consistent. He says he Sometimes lurk in gossips bowl, but does not think he takes anything too far. A lot of the body fluid that Puck brings to the play comes across in a subtle manner. For example, afterwards he places the flower on Lysande... ...age. Instead of laughing at Bottom, the film generates a feeling of sorrow for his character. When the wine is poured on him when the craftsmen first meet, Bottom takes an obvious emotional blow, so one can see how he would artificially inflate himself with the false perception of being a extraordinary actor. When chosen to perform for Thesseuss wedding, the players are very nervous and turn to Bottom for comfort. They look up to and respect Bottom for his confidence and playing ability, but Bottom later makes a fool of himself in the play by over dramati zing the part of Pyramus, especially when he performs the death of Pyramus. Michael Hoffmans adaptation of A Midsummer Nights Dream brings a classical play to a modern audience and makes it an exciting and killing experience. This is accomplished most notably with the direction he gives to the two characters discussed. The lively humor of Bottom and the slightly more subtle badgering of other characters brought forth by Puck creates a certain amount of attachment to the movie by the viewer. The cinematic version of Shakespeares play is tumefy adapted to a modern audience, especially through the characters of Puck and Nick Bottom.