A Midsummer Night's Dream: How Tragedy and Comedy Relate to the Characters

It may seem that tragedy and comedy are on opposite sides of the spectrum; tragedies describe highly respected characters plunging into despair, in some cases even death, when comedies, usually humorous in a sense, portray normal characters rising to a level of success and prosperity. However, tragedies and comedies in literature seem to parallel in some instances. Christopher Fry says it well when he states, “If the characters were not qualified for tragedy, there would be no comedy.” With a correlation of Fry's statement, two different sets of characters in “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, Theseus and Hippolyta as well as Oberon and Titania, are well qualified characteristically for a tragedy, but the plot's outcome fully aligns with a comedy reinstating Fry's literary statement.

The characteristics of both Theseus and Hippolyta allineate with a tragic story line; however, the outcome is very different than that of a tragedy which applies and confirms Fry's statement. In “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons, are two highly respected individuals in their culture and environment which can relate to a tragedy. In a tragedy, the main characters are those who are regarded with high honor and noble; to be a king or queen of a region, one must be able to prove leadership and selflessness, which both describe Theseus and Hippolyta. So it can be stated that Theseus and Hippolyta are clearly suitable to be characters in a tragedy, but how is this possible if the story is a comedy? Fry stated that characters in a comedy must also be suitable for a tragedy; hence, with Theseus and Hippolyta's well qualifications for tragedy, they will be able to thrive in a comedy with a positive outcome. Unlike a tragedy, comedies have uplifting outcomes which is exactly what happens in “A Midsummer Night's Dream”: Theseus and Hippolyta end the plot with a grandiose wedding. With the wedding concluding the story and not an event involving death, it is clear “A Midsummer Night's Dream” can be referred to as a comedy and not a tragedy. Although Theseus and Hippolyta were well qualified for a tragedy through their reign as King and Queen, the outcome of the story ended with a positive side which reinstates Fry's claim indicating comedic characters must also have tragic characteristics.

The characteristics of both Oberon and Titania align with a tragic story line; however, their plot's outcome is much different than that of a tragic plot again proving Fry's claim to be accurate. Coordinating with the plot of Theseus and Hippolyta, Oberon, the King of the Fairies, and Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, were clearly well known to be great beings of great dignity and honor due to their status as King and Queen; as characters of high valor, Oberon and Titania are easily qualified to be characters in a tragedy. As characters of highness, Oberon and Titania easily fit into the category of tragic characters. This fact is tested due to the outcome of the story. By the end of their plot, Oberon and Titania closed the story by spreading blessings and peace over the four lovers and other characters in the story; this outcome is much different than that of a tragedy outcome, as Fry overall stated in his quote. Although both Oberon and Titania were well suited for a tragic story, the end tells a different tale and ends with joyfulness and togetherness. As Fry stated in his claim, all comedic characters must portray and be characterized by some tragic characteristics which then helps the story to be developed into a comedy. In the end, Oberon and Titania, although well authorized to be the main characters in a tragedy, help to create the comedic style of the story and prove Fry's point.

In conclusion, Christopher Fry's statement detailing tragedy and comedy characters can directly apply to the plots of Theseus and Hippolyta as well as Oberon and Titania in “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. Although a comedy, both sets of highly respected individuals are well qualified characteristically for a tragedy which reinstates Fry's now factual statement. If the characters were not qualified to be in a tragedy story, no comedy as such would be presented. Different in literary terms, tragedies and comedies can both be paralleled in different aspects of the story ranging from the traits and actions of the characters.

JohnB0127

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