'I am amazed and know not what to say!' (Act III.2, line 344)

This quote by one of the four mortal lovers in the play 'A Midsummer Nights dream' perfectly illustrates the confusing situation that arises due to the conflicting views of love evident not only in the play itself, but also in Michael Hoffman's interpretation of the storyline into a film. Examples of the varying views of loves evident include tragic love, romantic love, physical love, unrequited love, and the effect all of these types of love have on the mortal lovers when magic interferes. It is evident when comparing and contrasting in the play and the film sympathies lie with the female characters, as they are believer in true love whereas the males are easily swayed. However in contrast, the film takes on a much more emotional aspect, through the use of body language and expressions it conveys what characters are feeling.

The opening act of the play, and the first scene of the film both depict a scene of romance and joy as preparations of the wedding of Theseus and Hippoly

With one night's sleep, when lysander awakes all his loyalties for Hermia disappear into thin air, and are replaced by hatred, representing a total metamorphosis in feelings for hermia, again questioning the true nature of love. Lysander wakes and automatically loves Helena, how can true love exist if it can be controlled by magic?

'Relent, sweet Hermia; and, Lysander, yield

'O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent

Furthermore, similarly to Romeo and Juliet, is the poetic lament found in the novel but not the film, adding further to the tragedy of their love:

To die upon the hand I love so well.'

When Demetrius awakes from sleep after having the love juice placed on his eyes also he falls in love with Helena also. At this stage there is a complete reversal of events at beginning of the play. Helena is no longer the pursuer, and Hermia is no longer pursued. More so in the film, but also in the play this is a scene of extreme confusion as Helena is shocked by demetrius's sudden affection for her.

ta are in place. This happy scene is interrupted by the tale of the love of Hermia and Lysander, whose love has become tragic due to lack of consent by her father, Egeus. His anger lies in the fact that Hermia wont marry whom he has chosen for her, Demetrius. Here is a father willing to have his daughter killed over disobedience, a scene in which true love is not taken into consideration.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Act II2, Act I1, Theseus Hipployta, Hermia Lysander, Michael Hoffman's, Athens Hermia, Hoffman Shakespeare's, Romeo Juliet, Sympathies Helena, Hermia's Lysander's, true love, act ii2, love hermia, act i1, mortal lovers, view love, act ii2 lines, ii2 lines, play film, body language, views love, views love evident, love hermia lysander, falls love helena, juice lysander's eyes,
Approximate Word count = 2586
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)