William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Shakespeare’s play ‘A Mid – Summer Night’s Dream’, Shakespeare uses his characters to present “True Love” as a state of harmony and happiness between lovers. However, it is only at the very end of this Mid - Summer night each character must make their own journey through troubled happenings towards the fulfillment of their desires and the achievement of true happiness. Shakespeare makes clear in Puck’s final monologue that this fairytale of love’s complications is not to be taken seriously. Lysander and Hermia are both seriously in love. Although they love each other, their parents forbade them to be together “The course of true love never did run smooth” (Lysander, Act 1 Scene). Egeus, Hermia’s father strongly disapproved of their relationship and wanted Hermia to marry Demetrius, who also loved Hermia. Egues’ decision was clearly made for his own benefit he doesn’t care about Hermia and definitely doesn’t mind if she ends up in a nunnery or even being executed. Egeus’ decision forces these two unfortunate lovers into the woods to escape the cruel Athenian law. Demetrius eventually also end up in the woods in search of Hermia with Helena following him. With the (not useful) of a spirit, Lysander falls in love with Helena. Hermia calls Helena a “thief of love” and fights evolve. At the end, the problems between the two young maidens are resolved and Hermia gets married to Lysander. Demetrius and Helena is an awkward pair. Helena is in love with Demetrius and would even be his spaniel! “… I am your spaniel and Demetrius, the more you beat me, I will fawn on you. Use me but as your spaniel: spurn me, strike me, neglect me, lose me. Only give me leave, unworthy as I am to follow you. What worser place can I beg in your love, and yet places of high respect with me, than to be used as you use your dog? (Helena, Act 2, Scene 1). But she has not gained his love because he loves Hermia - her close friend.

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