In the days of Shakespeare, marriages were not commonly made for love, but rather for power, wealth or even just so that a parent could be assured care at an advanced age. Such marriages were made very young, and most times arranged between the parents of the two who were to be wed, or between the bridegroom and the parents of the bride. In looking at A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this notion is not exempt. In fact, it is almost emphasized throughout the play. Shakespeare’s comedy offers an exposition of a person’s wish for dominance over the emotional states of those that they love, represented by the tandem conflicts that bridge the mortal and supernatural worlds. The more the characters fight to control the affections of their counterparts, the more it becomes clear that they have virtually no control over where the objects of their affection’s own love lies, such as that of Hermia and her father’s wishes, Oberon and Titania, and a role reversal in the case of Helena and Demetrius. Although the play is meant to be as absurdly comedic as possible (and, indeed, even the great trickster Robin Goodfellow apologizes in the end for its ridiculousness), this central theme truly reflects the flavor of a changing era, where outside arrangements of love were beginning to be traded in western Europe for arrangements from the heart. A classic representation of this male wish to control a female’s affections is seen in Hermia’s fight with her father over whom she wishes to marry. Hermia loves Lysander more than anyone else, and yet her father, Egeus, demands that she wed Demetrius instead. When Hermia and her father’s conflict escalates to epic proportions, where it now involves both of the suitors, and Theseus himself, it is the last s... ... middle of paper ... ...ffections, and therefore still is unable to have really any control. In all three of these cases, dominance is wanted by a character over another’s amour, and yet they cannot ever gain a true sense of dominance; Hermia’s father is forced to relent when his daughter is granted permission by Theseus to wed who she wishes instead of who he wishes, Oberon gets what he wants but takes pity on his wife and relinquishes his control, and Helena finally is the apple of Demetrius’s eye but only by the doing of another person. Each of these examples emphasize a central theme, that love is an uncontrollable force for those that wish to control it. This is what Shakespeare tried to get across to his audiences, and is still a relevant fact today. No matter by any means, love is not a force that can be conquered, it is something to be gained, it is that simple.
In Shakespeare’s “A Midsummers Night’s Dream” not only does Shakespeare mock love but he does so by explaining the different types of complications in the relationships of the characters in the play. Lysander’s statement, “The course of true love never did run smooth” (Act I, Scene 1, Line 134) describes the relationships of Oberon-Titania; Lysander-Hermia; Demetrius-Helena, although they all have different realities in their relationships Theseus Hippolyta’s relationship seems to be the only one in best terms whereas the rest of the relationships are complicated.
Love, lust and infatuation all beguile the senses of the characters in this dreamy and whimsical work of Shakespeare, and leads them to act in outlandish ways, which throughly amuses the reader. True love does prevail in the end for Hermia and Lysander, and the initial charm of infatuation ends up proving to have happy consequence for Helena and Demetrius as well. Even when at first the reader thinks that, in theory, the effects the potion will wear off and Lysander will once again reject Helena, Oberon places a blessings on all the couples that they should live happily ever after.
Demetrius is willing to go to any extent to have Hermia marry him, even allowing Hermia to be subject to a life of a nun or death, if she does not marry him. Demetrius? infatuation with Hermia brings out the tyrannical and possessive part of his character, as can be seen when he says ?and, Lysander, yield thy crazed title to my certain right?
Different Aspects of Love Presented in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander + Hermia = True love? Sexual Attraction (Lust) ------------------------------------------------------- Titania + Oberon = Love or hate (Married )
Love v. Reality – A Comparison. A person’s perception of reality can be changed or altered based on the events that happen in their life. The experiences of one’s past, especially when related to love, can shape their personality and values. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare, Hermia, Helena, Lysander, and Demetrius battle the chaos of intertwining love interests and magical fairies in Athens. Similarly, in Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock, Scottie is wrapped around the finger of his old friend Gavin and made an accomplice to murder while investigating the alarming behavior of his supposed wife, Madeleine.
Similar to other works by Shakespeare, such as The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream embellishes the pressures that arise between genders dealing with complicated family and romantic situations. The plot includes a duke who is going to marry a woman he conquered in battle, the king and queen of the fairies embroiled in a fight so fierce that it unbalances the natural world, and a daughter fighting with her father for her right to marry the man she chooses. The girl’s father selects Demetrius to marry his daughter, but she is in love with another man, Lysander, who loves her in return, and her friend Helena is in love Demetrius, but he wants nothing to do with her. Considering the fact that males were dominant during that era, whereas, men chased women, and women remained submissive, Shakespeare dallies with those traditional roles and there are several possible reasons why. Perhaps he made women a stronger force in his plays because he wanted to give his audience a break fr...
Love is a powerful emotion, capable of turning reasonable people into fools. Out of love, ridiculous emotions arise, like jealousy and desperation. Love can shield us from the truth, narrowing a perspective to solely what the lover wants to see. Though beautiful and inspiring when requited, a love unreturned can be devastating and maddening. In his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare comically explores the flaws and suffering of lovers. Four young Athenians: Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia, and Helena, are confronted by love’s challenge, one that becomes increasingly difficult with the interference of the fairy world. Through specific word choice and word order, a struggle between lovers is revealed throughout the play. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses descriptive diction to emphasize the impact love has on reality and one’s own rationality, and how society’s desperate pursuit to find love can turn even strong individuals into fools.
Theseus and Oberon are both compassionate and understanding towards the young lovers, Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius. They are involved in a love triangle that encompasses matters of the law and love. Demetrius intends to marry Hermia, although, she shares a mutual love with Lysander; Helena loves Demetrius, although, he no longer loves her. Theseus, as the Duke of Athens, maintains the laws and standards of Athenian society. He acknowledges “the Ancient privilege of Athens” (I.1.41) that allows Egeus to “dispose of” (I.1.42) Hermia. This law permits Egeus to give his daughter to Demetrius or “to death, according to [the] law” (I.1.44). However, Theseus takes pity on Hermia and gives he...
The Theme of Love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare In the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ many aspects of love are explored. In this essay I will be exploring how Shakespeare conveys the theme of love including illusion, confusion, escape, harmony and lust. Historically, it has been suggested that ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was written for a wedding, signifying the importance of love in this play, however there is no real evidence to prove this myth. Rather, the Lord Chamberlain’s men performed ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on the London stage.
The first thing to look at in A Midsummer Night's Dream is the struggle of men trying to dominate women. When Theseus said, "Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword" (1.1.16), here he is implying that he has won Hippolyta by defeating her, it's also indicating his desire to dominate Hippolyta as well as his obsession with her. One could say Theseus trying to win over Hippolyta, not with love but with power. Another would be the conflict between father and daughter, Egeus and Hermia. Through the whole act Egeus repeat many times that Hermia is his possession, "As she is mine, I may dispose of her" (1.1.42), "And she is mine and all my right of her" (1.1.97), therefore Hermia must follow his demand and marry to Demetrius. According to the law of Athens, she must choose death or to obey her father and marry Demetrius or become a nun and forever be alone. Such laws have given Theseus right to oppress Hermia's life and took away her freedom. This scene here then reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, none of these options are feasible for Hermia. Therefore, she chooses to run away rather than face death. None of Theseus and Egeus's actions toward Hippolyta
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a play based on a romantic love story. In this play, there are several types of love displayed between several of the main characters in the play. One of the most famous quotes from the play was by Lysander and it was “The course of true love never did run smooth” (Act 1, Scene 1). This meant that with any type of love, a person will experience its ups and downs, they will agree to disagree, but more importantly, love is unpredictable. Parenteral love, forced love, and true love are 3 types of love displayed/expressed in the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Love plays a very significant role in this Shakespearian comedy, as it is the driving force of the play: Hermia and Lysander’s forbidden love and their choice to flee Athens is what sets the plot into motion. Love is also what drives many of the characters, and through readers’ perspectives, their actions may seem strange, even comical to us: from Helena pursuing Demetrius and risking her reputation, to fairy queen Titania falling in love with Bottom. However, all these things are done out of love. In conclusion, A Midsummer Night’s Dream displays the blindness of love and how it greatly contradicts with reason.
While true love is treasured when achieved, its rarity can be attributed to the multitude of obstacles lovers must face. Couples often have trouble expressing their love for one another or may face challenges within the marriages. Whether it be disagreements, affection of surroundings, friendships lost, or jealousy, the quest for true love has its consequences. This concept is expressed several times in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, in the cases of many of the lovers. However, it can be argued that although complications ensue, true love is worth a life of trouble.
In this play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, true love plays a huge role in the play.
William Shakespeare’s writings are famous for containing timeless, universal themes. A particular theme that is explored frequently in his writings is the relationship between men and women. A Midsummer Night’s Dream contains a multitude of couplings, which are often attributed to the fairies in the play. Each of these pairings has positive and negative aspects, however, some relationships are more ideal than others. From A Midsummer Night’s Dream the optimal pairings are Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, and Oberon and Titania; while the less desirable pairings are Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, and Titania and Bottom. Throughout A Midsummer