Comedic Convetion- 
Tension between Youth and Authority

One of the comedic conventions resonates in the text is tension between youth and authority. From the very beginning of the play the tension between youth – Hermia and authority – Theseus and Egeus is evident. The tension between these characters helps depict the complications of love, the patriarchal society and the different social classes.

Through the use of tension between youth and authority we can see the different social classes mattered to whom you were to marry. In Act1 Scene1 there is an argument between Hermia – youth and Egeus, Theseus and Demetrius – authority. According to Egeus, Hermia is meant to marry Demetrius but Hermia and Lysander are in a relationship and Hermia does not like Demetrius. The reason Egeus does not approve of Lysander is because he is of lower class to Demetrius and Hermia. “O cross! Too high to be enthralled to low” Hermia is stating that she is too high to marry someone of lower class to her. She does not like the law. “Demetrius is a worth gentleman” Theseus. Hermia replies back saying “So is Lysander”. The Patriarchal Society states that if Hermia does not make a decisions in 4 days she will be turned into a nun or put to death. “ Which shall be either to this gentleman/ Or to her death – according to ort law/ Immediately provided in that case” Egeus says this. What he is saying is that he can make Hermia marry Demetrius or put her to death according to the law. The complications of love revolve around the Patriarchal society and the different social statuses.

Through the use of the comedic convention tension between youth and authority, Shakespeare has shown us the true complications of love, which are the patriarchal laws and society as well as the different social statuses make a contribution.