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A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Love
Love was never easy, not even for young people in Shakespeare’s era. “And the youth, mistook by me,/ pleading for a lover's fee./ Shall we their fond pageant see? / Lord, what fools these mortals be!”(Midsummer.3.2. 111-115) In Midsummer Night’s Dream, a couple decides to run away and be eloped. There another couple follows them. Little do they know, but a casting crew and fairies are running amuck in the forest as well! Mayhem occurs when the Fairy King decides to help a case of unrequited love and ends up having every other person in love with another! In, Midsummer Night’s Dream there is a constant theme of Love’s Difficulty shown throughout the entire play. From Oberon and Titania, or Lysander and Hermia, to Demetrius and Helena. Shakespeare shows all of loves different stages and struggles, through these three couples.
First, is the example of Oberon and Titania and there struggles in love. A good example of their struggle is there fight over the Indian boy. “ These are the forgeries of jealousy:/ And never, since the middle summer's spring,/ Met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead,/ By paved fountain or by rushy brook, /Or in the beached margent of the sea,/ To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind,/ But with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport.” ( Midsummer.2.1.82-88 ) This displays their immaturity, for they still squabble even after all that happens. Showing that you can still act this way even after leaving the puppy-love stage, like Hermia and Lysander are in. Another fine example of there struggles is how Oberon uses his magic upon Titania to steal away the Indian boy. “ I then did ask of her her changeling child;/ Which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent/ To bear him to my bower in fairy land./And now I have the boy, I will undo/ This hateful imperfection of her eyes,” (Midsummer.4.1.57-62 ) Although, Oberon does admit to feeling guilty, which proves that he does truly love her.
Second, are Lysander and Hermia, and their struggles in love. In the very beginning, Lysander and Hermia start off with trouble. “The sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting bond of fellowship-- 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.” (Midsummer.1.1.86-92 ) This is when the couple decides that they are going to make an escape. The couple stumbles upon more trouble though, in the forest, for the love potion is poured on Lysander’s eyes. “Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know,/ the hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?” (Midsummer.3.2.192-193 ) This represents the fickleness of love, unlike Oberon and Titania’s situation.
Lastly, are the couple of Demetrius and Helena. Helena and Demetrius once lover one-another, but then Demetrius dumped Helena for Hermia. “Demetrius, I'll avouch it to his head,/ Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,/ and won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes,/ devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry,/ upon this spotted and inconstant man,”( Midsummer.1.1.108-112 ). This was another way that fickleness was shown, just as in the case of Hermia and Lysander. Then, when Demetrius does fall in love with Helena, she does not believe him for she feels, as most would in her case, that it‘s all lies! “O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent/ to set against me for your merriment: /If you were civil and knew courtesy,/ you would not do me thus much injury./ Can you not hate me, as I know you do,/ but you must join in souls to mock me too?” (Midsummer.3.2.147-152 ) Here, Shakespeare shows the uneasiness and doubt felt in love. Similar to Titania and Oberon, when they bickered that one another had had affairs.
Overall, in a Midsummer Night’s Dream, the theme of love’s difficulties flows throughout the whole play. Through Oberon and Titania, Lysander and Hermia, and Demetrius and Helena. All show the stages that love goes through. Titania and Oberon fight over a child, but in the end get back together. Lysander and Hermia are able to finally marry. Then, Demetrius and Helena are able to rekindle their love. In the end, Shakespeare shows that no matter what, love can conquer!
Works Cited
Shakespeare. Midsummer Nights Dream. Jermey Hylton.1993. 31 October 2008. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/
Shakespeare. Midsummer Nights Dream. New York: Pocket Books,1958. Pages: 4,18, 42, and 58.
 Alibis of the Heart · Fri Dec 05, 2008 @ 04:26am · 1 Comments |
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