Elements of fantasy in Shakespeare's 'A midsummer night's dream', 'The tempest' and 'Macbeth'

Abstract

Through a comparative analysis of the settings and characters in three dramas by Shakespeare, the work exposes the way in which this timeless artist uses the same, or similar fantastic elements so as to evoke entirely contrary emotions in the readers/audience. The mixture of comedy, uneasiness, and pathos emphasizes the greatness of this artist by comparing basically the same elements of fantasy which he uses while gradually creating three different types of drama (a comedy, problem play, and tragedy). The aim of the work is for the readers to achieve a better understanding of the tastes and expectations of the Elizabethan audience, as well as to motivate them to consider whether William Shakespeare simply followed the trend of his own time trying to please the audience of the Elizabethan times, or whether he was essentially a fantasy writer.