A Midsummer Night's Dream Research Paper

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William Shakespeare is well known for producing many famous plays often incorporating the theme of love to deliver a message to audiences. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is no exception. In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Shakespeare's choices in plots and characters develop the notion that love makes us act irrationally and recklessly. Shakespeare's theme of love is largely portrayed by the actions of the four main lovers ensued from their convoluted relationships along with the interference of magic; and Hermia and Lysander's beliefs, thoughts and speeches. Shakespeare's portrayal of the relationships between the inconstant love quadrant suggests how love can seize the rationality of the lovers. Shakespeare's theme of love entails reckless and…show more content…
The relationship between the two lovers involve some foolish beliefs that are used as excuses to undermine the foolishness of the choices they make. For example, Hermia believes that love can be inconstant like the moon yet believes that she and Lysander are an exception. While it cannot be said that it is foolish to love Lysander, it is clearly evident that love has seize hold of her rationality; Shakespeare shows this by contradicting her belief later in the scene where Lysander, under the influence of magic, left her isolated and vie for the heart of Helena with Demetrius. It is also notable that Lysander's serious but exaggerated remarks on his affection of both Hermia and Helena reveal his intense desire for their company which act as a cue that signals the immense influence of love on him. For instance, Lysander says to Helena "And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Transparent Helena!" (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 72). It is evident that the beliefs of Hermia and Lysander further develop the foolish and irrational theme of love that Shakespeare wishes to inform the audiences of in 'A Midsummer Night's
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