Hippolyta and Theseus (Devon Roberts)
Hippolyta &
Theseus Played by Eleanor Matsuura & John Hannah
The relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta can be seen changing
throughout the play, during which we see Hippolyta take more control in her
role. In an essay posted on Scribd called “Women’s Defiance of Social Standards
in a Midsummer Night’s Dream: Illusion or Reality,” this change is demonstrated
throughout three different verbal reactions.
“These stages are
important to demonstrating how Hippolyta gains verbal space and presence during
their exchange, so as to change the tone and lower the tension between her and
the duke. There are differences in those three moments, regarding who initiates
and maintains the dialogue, concerning the tension of the situation and the
topic of the conversation.”
The first interaction occurs act one, scene one. Theseus is assertive
and reminds Hippolyta of the circumstances of their arrangement, which was
“shaped by violence, not love.” The tone
of their second interaction is a bit different, with Hippolyta speaking longer
than before and the two of them finding some common ground, such as hunting.
The final interaction, in act 5, Hippolyta is the first to speak, and we see
the tension fade and the discussion turn to love.
“We see that the
topic developed by the future marriage couple is about love, the core reason to
marriage. And though, it may be not their own love they speak about, it is a
leading excuse to a happy mood and a more appropriate disposition towards their
wedding night.”
References:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03w4mf0/p03w4jph
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