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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Key Examples in A Midsummer Night's Dream
Act 1, scene 1
Explanation and Analysis:
At the beginning of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the tone is very serious. The opening scene follows Theseus as he makes a judgement about the fate of a young woman whose heart is in conflict with her father’s will. The way that Theseus approaches the situation creates a tone of grave severity and order, characteristic of the setting of Athens and the court. Because Hermia will not adhere to her father’s wishes and marry Demetrius, Theseus gives her a grave sentence. He says:
Upon that day either prepare to die
For disobedience to your father’s will,
Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would,
Or on Diana’s altar to protest
For aye austerity and single life
