Show how the play explores the difference between illusion and reality

Glossary:
Illusion:
a. An erroneous perception of reality.
b. An erroneous concept or belief.
2. The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief.
3. Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.

Reality: The quality or state of being actual or true.
(However, in this case, “reality” refers to reality in the play and not what we would consider “real” in our world.)

Think of instances where illusion is portrayed and where reality intrudes. Compare these instances.

Theme statement: Make mention of the similarities between illusion and reality. Does the play show you an obvious difference between illusion and reality?

e.g.: The line between illusion and reality is a thin one. In a play that addresses magic and fantastic elements, it is difficult to distinguish between what is real, and what is merely a distorted perception of reality as the distortions themselves sometimes seem more real than what has truly happened.

Illusion vs Reality:
- Illusion caused by infatuation / magic:
o The belief that the other person is perfect (e.g. Titania’s love for Bottom, where clearly she does not see him for what he really is like, calling him “angel”, “beautiful”, “wise”)
o Young Athenians made to believe they are in love with someone else.
o L under the illusion that he is in love with Hel. Ironically, their love is ruled by “reason” [And reason says you are the worthier maid – line 122] (when supposedly real love is irrational and unpredictable – “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”)
o Helena under the impression that L is mocking her when he is trying to woo her.
o Hermia under the impression that Hel has stolen L’s heart when she has done nothing but reject him.
o Play shows illusion with discord and confusion – causing great frustrations and misunderstandings among the characters
o Contrast this with their waking moments in Athens where there is clarity and harmony (relationship issues all resolved happily)
- Woods vs Athens (Dream like quality, Magic vs Rules and structures)
o Anything can happen
o Reality – death, misfortune, unhappiness, where Theseus (mortal) is the law.
 However, also: Harmony, peace, marriage, unions
o Illusion – fairy woods, magic, music, dreams, love, where Oberon (immortal) is the law.
 However: Discord, confusion, violence, fleeting nature of attraction
 Events that happened in the woods lack certainty – All who were involved believe that it was merely a dream (illusion)
- Puck as an illusionist – pretending to be “a filly foal”, “a roasted crab”, a “three-foot stool”… all in order to prank someone else.
o Fooled the actors into thinking that wild beasts were after them
o Made L and D think that the other was taunting them in order to draw them away from each other.
o Faeries as “shadows”, Oberon – “King of shadows” – Imagery suggests something not solid, not real
- Play within a play: Illusion is expected to be represented by the suspension of belief during a play, but yet the players’ actions break the illusion because they interact with the audience in an attempt to impose censorship.
o Puck also does this at the end of the play: Addressing the audience: “If we shadows have offended,. Think but this, and all is mended,. That you have but slumber'd here. While these visions did appear.”
o Leaves the audience not knowing whether all the events that transpired were merely a dream or real.
o Illusionary nature of play – it is not real to begin with.

Conclusion: Decide if the play does successfully show the differences between illusion and reality – it could just as well be that the play shows that illusion and reality are very similar, and that there aren’t many differences.