[1st paragraph] Shakespeares's play "A midsummer Nights Dream" is a play which focuses on showing the powerful effects

of gentleness and courtesy. In this essay several parts will be examined such as Oberon's decision to use the love juice which shows how Gentleness and courtesy are better than harsh threats and words. Another scene discussed is where Helen follows Demetrius into the woods. Demetrius attitude towards Helen is completelyu lacking gentleness and he acts very uncivily towards her. Each scene will be discussed and shown wether it shows or lacks act's of courtesy or gentless. The first scene to be discussed is the scene in which Oberon, King of the fairies, decides to use the love juice to solve the problem between Demetrius and Helen. Oberon, who is naturally kind hearted is therefore kind to Helen when he sees her in her troubles. He knows he can help so he intervenes, and he offers to do it voluntarily out of the goodness of his heart. There is an old proverb: "Pity runs quickly in gentle hearts." Gentle is another word for civil or courteous. This is also how Shakespeare shows that gentleness, civilty and courteousnes can be more powerful than threats and harsh words. As Oberon is able to solve the problem ussing gentle magic while Theseus and Egeus with their threats could not. The next scene is where Titania, queen of the fairies, meets Bottom, a "rude mechanical" who due to unfortunat events has an "ass head". This scene shows the sociable aspect of courtesy-welcoming others making them feel comfortable and at ease and seeing to their needs. As Queen Titinaia instructs the other fairies; Be kind and courteous to this gentleman; Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes; Feed him with apricocks and dewberries, With purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries; The honey-bags steal from the humble-bees, And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes, To have my love to bed and to arise; And pluck the wings from Painted butterflies To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes: Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies. Also Titania is a queen yet she shows no signs of superiority towards bottum but treats him as an equal. She does not act with condescension, as if she were doing a great favor by just noticing Bottom. Thus showing a perfect act of courtesy. Bottum in the scene with Titania discussed above shows another perfect

example of courtesy and civilty. He knows he is nothing but a rude mechanical and he treats Titania as one far better than himself and adresses her properly as "Your Worship." He also carries on a pleasant, friendly conversation with everyone around him and tries to say something personal to each of the fairies. Civility is a virtue that unites all people from all different classes, from all different trades. Bottum shows a wonderful example of civilty. The next scene discussed depicts both courtesy and lack of courtesy. In this scene The rude mechanicals are putting on a play for the duke and his new bride, hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. Through out the play Hippolyta makes smart comments about how bad their acting is and being generally grumpy. Which can be seen when the duke chooses to have them perform their play she complains that she doesn't want to "see wretchdness' o'ercharged". As well as other comments like "I am weary of this moon would he would change." In the same scene there is also a good example of courtesy. Thesues, Duke of Athens, when given a choice of entertainment chooses the rude mechanicals's play even though he is told that it is horribly done. He replies saying; "I will hear that play, For never anything can be amiss When simpleness and duty tender it. Go, bring them in - and take your places ladies." Through out the play he encourages them and ignores their mistakes. He appreciates their efforts, their pure intentions, and their innocent way of honoring the him at his wedding. The last part of the play to be examined is when Helen follows Demtetrius into the woods. Demetrius shows anger towards Helena calling her names and threatening her; "I'll run from thee and hide me in the brakes - And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts." Demetrius shows a lack of gentleness which does nothing to fix the situation but instead makes it worse.