Natures of Love in a Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Nature of Love in a Midsummer Night’s Dream

Midsummer Night's Dream is a play by William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream portrays the nature of love in several different ways. The play shows the trials and troubles of love along with the possibility of love working out as planned.

The play begins in discussion of the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta, which is to occur in four days. One of the types of love portrayed by Shakespeare is forced love in the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. Theseus states: "I wooed thee with my sword." This shows that Thesues is forcing the marriage and won his bride through battle.

Hippolyta who is queen of the Amazons has been conquered by Theseus and has no choice but to submit. Hippolyta submits to the will of Theseus. Theseus takes advantage of this and treats Hippolyta well. In Theseus saying that he wooed Hippolyta it implies that he may be truly in love with Hippolyta. Hippolyta goes on the call Theseus “My Theseus in Act 5 which shows that she may be willing to marry Theseus. Theseus and Hippolyta show much more maturity in their love as contrasted to the four younger lovers. Thesues shows his maturity in sticking to the laws of Athens when Egeus forbids Hermia and Lysander to wed. Thesues later allows the two to wed, which can be greatly attributed to it being his own wedding day and being in the spirit of marriage. Over the fours days Theseus had become more understanding of the four lover’s feelings for each other due to the development of his love for Hippolyta.

Shakespear also portrays parental love in the realtionship of Egeus and Hermia. In the time and place the play is set Hermia is looked at as property of Egeus. This allows Egeus to have the last word in all of the affairs of Hermia. Although it may seem to just be controlling, it is a way for Egeus to show his parental love for Hermia. Egeus is worried about his daughter’s future therefore wants to be in control of it. Egues wants his daughter to marry someone of nobility to secure her future. Egeus is controlling his daughter’s life but wanting the best for her, which shows parental love.

True love is portrayed by Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hermia and Lysander represent true love. Lysander states "The course of true love never did run smooth." This shows that true love is not always easy but will find its way through difficulties. Hermia and Lysander’s true love had its difficulties. Egeus is an example of this; he wanted his daughter to marry nobility. Egeus’ over protection of Hermia does not allow the two to marry but Hermia and Lysander only want each other. True love is something shared by two people this is shown in their choice to elope. Hermia’s decision to share their plan of eloping with Helena shows that the lovers are young and immature. Their immaturity in turn becomes another obstacle that their love must endure. Despite the obstacles that they must endure the two lovers end up happy in the end. This shows that true love prevails.

Demetrius and Helena’s relationship is an example of love that is not returned. Although Helena is deeply in love with Lysander he only wants for Hermia. Hermia’s love not being returned shows the cruel side of love. Demetrius’ continual attempts to push Helena away are unsuccessful. His plans only make things worse, the more he forces Helena away the more she loves him. It is a vicious relationship and if allowed to endure, it would be devastating. Lysander and Hermia’s love is fair and true where as Demetrius and Helena relationship is cruel and abusive. This shows that the nature of love is not always good and can be cruel.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare portrays friendship. Hermia confiding in Helena with her plans of eloping shows a firm trust and loving friendship. Their level of trust in each other implies a sisterly bond. This shows that their dependable relationship maybe be stronger than Hermia and Lysander’s. Helena and Hermia's relationship is an example of sisterly love and friendship. When Lysander is put under a spell he quickly turns on Hermia. This shows a flaw in Lysander and Hermia’s relationship that Hermia and Helena’s friendship does not have. This shows that love at times can be easily changed without logical reason.

Shakespeare does not portray any type of love as being perfect; they all have their difficulties. Forced love causes people to fall in love for no apparent reason. Theseus and Hippolyta are brought together only through war. Hermia and Lysander's true love is strong and developed yet he is quick to lust over Helena. Shakespeare shows us that there is nothing definite about the nature of love. Shakespeare portrays love as being confusing and indefinite.