Midsummer Nights Dream

Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay

        Many different themes were shown through the play Midsummer Night’s Dream and they all played significant part in telling the story. They carry throughout the whole play and can’t help but leave one wondering how they were shown. In William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the theme of love is shown through the characters/ events of Hermia and her father, Egeus, the love triangle, and the fairies love potion.

        The first time the theme of love was shown was through the conflict between Hermia and her Father. “Against my child, my daughter. Hermia, stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord, This man hath my consent to marry her.” (1.1.23.) Egeus, Hermia’s father, wants Hermia to marry Demetrius but against her fathers will, she is set on marrying and being with Lysander. The two lovers decide to run away to further their love affair but at the end of the play, Theseus, the duke of Athens, over rules Egues’ wish and marries the couple. “Egeus, I will overbear your will; for in the temple, by and by, with us these couples shall be eternally be knit.” (4.1.6)

        Second, the theme of love was shown through the love triangle. The “love triangle” was between the 4 lovers which consisted of Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena. First, Hermia and Lysander loved one another and Hermia loved Demetrius who used to love her. In the end, the two couples ended up loving the right people but there were many obstacles along the way. “Through Athens, I am thought as fair as she, but what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; he will not know what all but he do know. And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes. So I, admiring of his qualities.” (1.1.6.) This quote explain how the Helena was in love with Demetrius but he was wrapped up in Hermia. This is just one example of how messy the triangle got. “The course of true love never did run smooth.” (1.1.4.) Lysander explains how true love is never easy and comes with obstacles and is shown through the adventures of the four lovers.