The play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare shows exquisitely how power and control can become addictive to many. Bottom shows the desire to demand and lead everyone while preparing the play for the wedding. Meanwhile, Egeus tries to take authority as Hermia’s father by trying to control her love life. Oberon overpowers his wife by putting a love potion on Titania’s eyes. This leads Titania to be too obsessed with her new love so that Oberon can take the young Indian boy to be his servant. Just like drugs, once an individual has discovered its ability of power and control, it becomes difficult to restrain the skill, as it will control the person. Surely, this romantic tale shows a person’s other side that lusts for authority and control with excellence.
As the characters develop throughout the play, their desires for overpowering others become more evident. Initially, Bottom tries to tell Quince, the carpenter, that he can play every part in the performance better than everyone else. He declares, “Let me play the lion too: I will roar, that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me; I will roar, that I will make the duke say. ‘Let him roar again, let him roar again.’” Bottom lowers the confidence of his friends’ heart by gloating about how he can excel every part in the play. Although this may be true, he would still cause anger and annoyance among others. He believes he would make a better leader than Quince. In this way he will be in power and able to manage the cast to perform absolutely “perfectly.” Additionally, Egeus takes authority over Hermia’s love life by forcing Hermia to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander. He suggests to the Duke of Athens, “I beg the ancient privilege of Athens, As she is mine, I may dispose of her: Which shall be either to this gentleman or to her death, according to our law immediately provided in that case.” By trying to control Hermia, Egeus threatens her with death. He seems so determined to have Hermia marry Demetrius that there may be another meaning behind his determination. Perhaps Egeus’ only reason to have a daughter is to receive the riches of another man. Furthermore, Oberon takes the Indian boy for his servant while Titania is the daze from the love potion. Oberon decides, “I’ll watch Titania when she is asleep, and drop the liquor of it in her eyes. The next thing when she waking looks upon, Be it lion, bear, or wolf, or bull, on meddling monkey, or on busy ape, She