The Theme of Love in A Midsummer Night's Dream Free Essay Example

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,/And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1.1. 237-238) This quote is said by Helena, who is a prominent character in William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the first scene, she says that Cupid is painted blind because love is seen with the mind, not the eyes. It is a recognition that love does not always follow logic and can be inexplicable, but it is honest because you will adore someone for who they truly are. In the renowned comedy, a pair of irrational lovers named Hermia and Lysander have obstacles that interfere with their everlasting love. From fatherly disapproval to Hermia’s arranged betrothal to Demetrius, they flee to the forest so they can be with each other. A multitude of surreal events occur there, such as fairies quarrelling, betrayal, and an altered fate from a mystical potion, but ultimately, several couples get married and receive happy endings. Thus, in the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, the theme “Love can make us act in irrational and irregular ways” is expressed through the use of conflict, characterization and dialogue.

The first method used to develop the theme in the play is through the effective use of conflict, which is a struggle between two opposing forces. An example relating to the theme is an external conflict between Hermia and Helena. Once Lysander and Demetrius are affected by the potion, they instantly fall in love with Helena. Unable to believe that both men have feelings for her, Helena begins blaming Hermia for belittling their friendship by getting involved in the cruel joke. This accusation is denied by Hermia, who thinks that Lysander’s love has been stolen by her friend. In an insulting manner, she says, “O me! You juggler, you canker-blossom!/You thief of love! What, have you come by night/And stolen my love’s heart from him?” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 3.2 289-291) This illustration and excerpt from Hermia connect to support the thesis statement because the reason for their fierce argument is love. The two women are deeply hurt, as Helena thinks that she’s being mocked, and Hermia cannot understand why her love for Lysander is now unrequited. Consequently, they lash out by pinning the blame on each other, which is irrational and irregular behaviour for two best friends. A following example to support the thesis statement is another external conflict between Demetrius and Lysander. As they are both in love with Helena due to the love spell, they start to argue and duel. Demetrius despises how Lysander is willing to fight on Helena’s behalf, for he believes that his love for her is far greater. During their dispute, he states, “You are too officious/In her behalf that scorns your services./Let her alone. Speak not of Helena./Take not her part. For if thou dost intend/Never so little show of love to her,/Thou shalt aby it.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 3.2 342-347) This example and quotation from Demetrius connect to justify the theme because the love potion causes them to present abnormal behaviour. They barely regarded Helena before, for they were infatuated with Hermia. Now, the spell’s effects cloud their sense of judgment, with both of them fighting and Lysander ignoring his previous lover.

Secondly, the play’s theme is advanced by the use of characterization – the traits that define a character in a piece of literature. The first instance including characterization is Helena’s desperation that encourages her to win back the love of Demetrius. She refuses to give up when he abruptly develops feelings for Hermia, following him into the forest beyond Athen’s walls. Once Helena is informed of Hermia and Lysander’s plan, she wants to tell Demetrius of their elopement. Hoping that he will change his mind and love her again, she says to herself, “I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight./Then to the wood will he tomorrow night/Pursue her. And for this intelligence,/If I have thanks, it is a dear expense./But herein mean I to enrich my pain,/To have his sight thither, and back again.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1.1. 249-254) This example and quote from Helena support the thesis statement because she was willing to make great sacrifices — such as exposing her friend’s secret — to earn Demetrius back. It is visible proof that love can be a controlling force, driving people to do everything in their power to gain it. Next, characterization is displayed in the play through Hermia’s disobedience towards her father, Egeus. She was given three options by Theseus that would determine her future: marry Demetrius, become a nun, or be put to death. Therefore, eloping with Lysander poses a great risk and betrays her father’s wishes to marry Demetrius. When Lysander and Hermia are left alone, they invent the idea to run away to his aunt’s house outside of Athens, where they are free to get married. Defying her father and Theseus to pursue her true love, she promises, “I swear to thee, by Cupid’s strongest bow,/…In that same place thou hast appointed me,/Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1.1. 172-181) This example and quotation regarding Hermia connect to develop the theme because her disobedience is an act of irrational love. Escaping to the woods with Lysander is foolish, for they did not consider the dangers and potential consequences.  

The third way that Shakespeare develops the theme is by utilizing dialogue, which is conversations between characters in a story. An illustration filled with dialogue is when Demetrius falls for Helena. The sudden change in his behaviour leads her to believe that it is a cruel joke, yet he continues to speak highly of her. When Demetrius awakes in the forest, he begins showering Helena with a variety of compliments, voicing, “O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!/To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne?/Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe in show,/Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 3.2. 137-140) This example and quotation of dialogue connect to support the theme because Demetrius was irrational from the love potion, causing him to do things he normally would not. He was also acting irregularly, disregarding Hermia completely and focusing on Helena, which he hardly did before. Another scene with dialogue that evolves the theme is when Oberon applies the potion to Titania’s eyes, making her act abnormal and fall in love with Nick Bottom. Titania wakes up to Bottom in her field of view, instantly developing feelings for him. Her fairies are ordered to treat him kindly and follow his every request, as she instructs, “To have my love to bed, and to arise;/And pluck the wings from painted butterflies,/To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 3.1. 163-165) This second example and excerpt from Titania justify the theme because she acted unreasonably when Oberon put her under the love spell. Her demeanour was unusual, tending to Bottom’s every want and need instead of detesting his appearance. 

Overall, the comedic play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare illustrates how love can make us act in irrational and irregular ways. This theme evolves through the use of external conflicts between the four lovers; the development of Helena’s desperation, along with Hermia’s disobedience; plus dialogue involving Titania being infatuated with Bottom, then Demetrius falling for Helena. Although the characters experience complicated love that creates chaos, every struggle pays off in the end with the lovers getting married. After all, is not love worth fighting for if you can be with the person that completes you most?