Love is perhaps the strongest human emotion, it has the power to alter the senses and cause either happiness or sorrow. To try to define love is impossible; one can only rely on examples or experience. One play especially gives several examples of love, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” written by William Shakespeare attempts to comically express the various types of love one can experience. Shakespeare illustrates the chemistry between four couples. He begins with Theseus and Hippolyta a couple awaiting their wedding that is soon approaching. Then Hermia and Lysander are introduced, they represent true love.
Immediately following are Demetrius and Helena, representing the most painful type of love, the one given unconditionally, but never returned. Finally Titania and Oberon, the king and queen of the fairies, they represent a mature love with immature tendencies. By beginning the play with a wedding Shakespeare immediately sets the mood, where there is a wedding there is always a feeling of love. Theseus has conquered Hippolyta physically in battle “I wooed thee with my sword And won thy love doing thee injuries, But I will wed thee in another key, With pomp, with triumph and with reveling.” (1.
1. 17-20) The dynamic of their relationship is struggle Theseus represents the men court a women consistently until they are worn down or “conquered.” His aggressiveness with Hippolyta was exactly what the Amazon warrior needed, she represents those women that only settle with men they find a challenge. Second there is Hermia and Lysander the “true lovers.” They represent those couples that feel an enormous amount of love for one another and are willing to overcome any obstacle to be together. Hermia is the typical teenage daughter that defies her father because of a man. Her father is attempting to marry her to Demetrius but as she so lovely puts it she would rather die a virgin than spend the rest of her life as his wife. Forbidden love always seems to be more appealing than one that is encouraged.
The Essay on Love and Shakespeare
The love theme in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is confusing but at the same time entertaining. The love triangle involving Viola, disguised as Cesario, is in love with Orsino. Orsino is in love with Olivia. Olivia, however, loves Cesario. Orsino tries to woo Olivia with the language of love; however, his many attempts fail because the heart cannot be controlled. Orsino, a man in love with love ...
The main theme of their love is “the course of true love never did run smooth.” (I. i. 136) The situation with Helena and Demetrius is a painful one. Helena is in love with a man that feels nothing for her, but wants instead to marry her best friend Hermia.
This is the worst type of love one can feel, one is left feeling inadequate and in Helena’s case envious of Hermia this becomes apparent when Helena says .”.. I am thought as fair as she. But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so.” (I. i. 233-4) Helena is so blinded by the love she feels for Demetrius that she openly belittles herself to him saying that she is like his dog and would remain loyal even though he abuses her. Helena’s unconditional love means nothing to Demetrius, there are so many people struggling to be with someone and receiving the same response.
She has become nothing in her own eyes because she has made him everything. Last Shakespeare introduces the relationship between the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania. They represent a mature relationship, passed the initial feelings that Lysander and Hermia share. They are an immortal couple that knows well the ways of the other. Their relationship continues because it must, love may remain but obligation is what holds them together. By Shakespeare creating a conflict between them he shows that everyone has trouble when dealing with love even fairies.
Love is perfect only if you are naive. Everyone has problems in love either because of outside forces or because of internal conflicts. In a Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare provides a positive conclusion to what of easily have become a tragedy if the character did not conveniently receive what they desired.
The Term Paper on Falls In Love Play Demetrius Puck
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Test I Made. A Midsummer Night's Dream (Test I Made. Shows Basic Understanding. ) "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM' by William Shakespeare I. Matching Match the description on the left with its best fitting answer on the right. Put the answer's letter in the space provided. (Some answers will not be used. ) e. 1. ) the city in which most of a. ) Hippolyta and Theseus the play ...
