An Analysis of Love in Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights...

A Midsummer Nights Dream is one of Shakespeares most widely read comedies about love. This seems somewhat strange, however, in light of the fact that so few of its characters seem to display any kind of full or true love. A close examination of the actions and words of each of the players will reveal that only one of them, by the end of Act V, should be considered a lover. For the purposes of this inquiry, we are defining love as that which steadily desires and works to attain the benefit of another. I think this definition becomes very important when we study the uses and effects of the dew of the pansy (first mentioned in 2.1.166ff.) on the various characters on whom its charm is worked, and by extension, on those with whom†¦show more content†¦The key word in our definition is steadily. In the play, the effects of the dew have shown the desires of the charmed to be anything but steady. Therefore I believe we can immediately eliminate from consideration the characters of Lysander, Demetrius, and Titania. Lysander, throughout the play, shows a real concern for only two others: Hermia and Helena. His concern, however, acts more like a switch than anything, because as soon as he starts to care about one, he ceases to care about the other. After falling under the dews charm, he insults Hermia, his former lover, quite harshly (3.2.175ff.). Once the dew is used on him again, however, he seems to take little note of his former actions and feelings (4.1.144ff.). In a similar manner, Demetrius has his affections toyed with by the magic, and shows them to be fairly empty as well. By his own admission, his love for Hermia was melted as the snow (4.1.169) when he awoke in the morning -- I wot not by what power, he says (4.1.167). Titanias case is slightly more interesting in that she displays what might be love for no less than three of the plays characters: Oberon, Nick Bottom (in the form of an ass), and the changeling child. However, in much the same way as Lysander and Demetrius, she drops all concern for the child (whom she previously defended vehemently) when obsessed with Bottom, giving it to Oberon without a struggle (4.1.62-64). Then, again conforming to theShow MoreRelatedMidsummers Night Dream1004 Words   |  5 PagesHow does the ‘play within the play’ enhance your enjoyment of the rest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream? If not, why not? I would argue that A Midsummer Night’s Dream  is one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. Comedy is in abundance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, especially in ‘the play within the play’. ‘The play within the play’ is a key characteristic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and deserves a thorough analysis as it holds a tight link to the main plot of this play. 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