Mask Version

26. Demetrius overacts

Demetrius' apostrophe to Helena here out-protests the purple poetry that Shakespeare has written for him. Specifically, Demetrius seems to be doing a parody of old-style Shingeki acting, with mannered and exaggerated use of voice and gesture, based on imitation of what was once taken to be authoritatively western (actor-manager period) Shakespearean acting. The sequence ends with both boys kissing an arm apiece, a routine which is interestingly varied in School 32. Lover Demetrius and Bar 35. Boys drop pants.

A Midsummer Night's Dream