<P> In 1837, William Maginn produced essays on the play . He turned his attention to Theseus' speech about "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" and to Hippolyta's response to it . He regarded Theseus as the voice of Shakespeare himself and the speech as a call for imaginative audiences . He also viewed Bottom as a lucky man on whom Fortune showered favours beyond measure . He was particularly amused by the way Bottom reacts to the love of the fairy queen: completely unfazed . Maginn argued that "Theseus would have bent in reverent awe before Titania . Bottom treats her as carelessly as if she were the wench of the next - door tapster ." Finally, Maginn thought that Oberon should not be blamed for Titania's humiliation, which is the result of an accident . He viewed Oberon as angry with the "caprices" of his queen, but unable to anticipate that her charmed affections would be reserved for a weaver with a donkey's head . </P> <P> In 1839, the philosopher Hermann Ulrici wrote that the play and its depiction of human life reflected the views of Platonism . In his view, Shakespeare implied that human life is nothing but a dream, suggesting influence from Plato and his followers who thought human reality is deprived of all genuine existence . Ulrici noted the way Theseus and Hippolyta behave here, like ordinary people . He agreed with Malone that this did not fit their stations in life, but viewed this behaviour as an indication of parody about class differences . </P> <P> In 1849, Charles Knight also wrote about the play and its apparent lack of proper social stratification . He thought that this play indicated Shakespeare's maturity as a playwright, and that its "Thesean harmony" reflects proper decorum of character . He also viewed Bottom as the best - drawn character, with his self - confidence, authority, and self - love . He argued that Bottom stands as a representative of the whole human race . Like Hazlitt he felt that the work is best appreciated when read as a text, rather than acted on stage . He found the writing to be "subtle and ethereal", and standing above literary criticism and its reductive reasoning . </P> <P> Also in 1849, Georg Gottfried Gervinus wrote extensively about the play . He denied the theory that this play should be seen as a dream . He argued that it should be seen as an ethical construct and an allegory . He thought that it was an allegorical depiction of the errors of sensual love, which is likened to a dream . In his view, Hermia lacks in filial obedience and acts as if devoid of conscience when she runs away with Lysander . Lysander is also guilty for disobeying and mocking his prospective father - in - law . Pyramus and Thisbe also lack in filial obedience, since they "woo by moonlight" behind their parents' backs . The fairies, in his view, should be seen as "personified dream gods". They represent the caprices of superficial love, and they lack in intellect, feeling, and ethics . </P>

What is the point of a midsummer night dream