Act 2, Scene 1 Questions

You are a marriage counsellor who has been hired to advise Titania and Oberon.  In your notes, comment on their behaviour with one another, particularly with regard to their quarrel over the orphaned boy.  How does this situation represent a power struggle between them?  Who is in control?  How will he or she continue to retain power? Who, in your opinion, makes the better case for the boy?  What suggestions can you give to resolve their conflict?  Also, look at the following biblical passages about the treatment of orphans:

Exodus 22:21-22

Deuteronomy 24:17-18.

         It is obvious that Titania and Oberon are struggling. They are continually fighting and disrupting the Athenian world with their quarrels. I think that Oberon is being self-centered with the situation of the orphaned boy because he just wants him because he’s beautiful and he is jealous of his wife. It seems as though Titania is treating him well and wants to bring him up in the memory of her friend who died. This situation represents a power struggle between the King and Queen as the King wants something the Queen will not give up and he is trying to take control of her but she is stubborn. Each person has their own servants and attendants so it’s kind of like they have their own army fighting against each other when they should be working together for the benefit of Fairyland. In this situation, Titania is in control because she has in her possession the orphan boy which Oberon is obsessed and he is determined to retain power by tricking her. In my opinion, Titania makes the better case for the boy because with the absence of his birth mother, she wants to raise him properly.

To resolve their conflict, I think that first of all, they should work together to raise the orphaned boy instead if fighting over him. It can be their child instead of just one person’s servant. I also think it is vital that they do not make assumptions or accusations about things of which they have no proof. For example, Titania accuses Oberon of loving Hippolyta and Oberon accuses her of loving Theseus which is kind of paradoxical because both couples are similar but in different worlds. They need to find a way to work together and put their desires and differences aside if they want to settle the Fairy kingdom and mortal world.

Write your analysis in a report of 200 words and include a brief answer to the following question:

 Think about a power struggle that you have experienced in your life.  What motives existed on each side of this conflict?   Explain your motives as well as those of the other side.

        I think a common power struggle for me and to which many teenagers can relate is the feud between siblings. Whether it be a special privilege for one sibling or an individual accomplishment, it seems that there is always a potential fight. I think the motives on each side are similar to those of Oberon and Titania because there is usually a desire for something that the other person has and that turns into jealousy. Titania wanted to care for the orphan boy because she felt it was her responsibility with the death of her friend during childbirth. She cared and loved the boy as her own. “But she perforce withholds the loved boy, / Crowns him with flowers, and make him all her joy.” 1. 2. 26-27. On the other hand, Oberon wanted the beautiful boy as his servant but I think he also didn’t want his wife to be giving all of her time and attention to the boy. This has put a strain on their relationship as “…They never meet in grove or green, / By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen. “ 1. 2. 28-29. This relates to the sibling feud as people always want what they can’t or don’t have. We see the beautiful, and new things one person has and immediately have a desire of our own but I think it’s important to take a step back and realize that we too have our own riches and fair share of pretty things so we should not be jealous of each other, instead be thankful for what you have. Titania and Oberon will get along much better if they come to a compromise with the boy so they can both enjoy him equally.