Sandy Hannon
Dr. Kathy Buckelew
English 102
7 June 2009
True Love in A Midsummer Night's Dream
Lysander's famous quote "The course of true love never did run smooth" is proven true of the couples in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare 1.1.134). Theseus wins Hippolyta in battle by killing with his sword but wants to win her love with his heart (1.1.15). Demetrius is in love with Helena's best friend even though he has already won Helena's love (1.1.110). Lysander and Hermia are in love, but Hermia's father forbids them to be together (1.1.30). The three couples have different obstacles to overcome before they can be united.
Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, will marry in four days. Waiting impatiently, Theseus is excited about Hippolyta becoming his wife but does not want to make her marry him. He won her with his sword but wants to marry her with a great performance of his love. He releases his hounds the morning of his wedding to play music for Hippolyta (4.1.105). She is impressed with this: "I never heard so musical a discord, such sweet thunder" (4.1.110). A play is performed on their wedding day. According to Theseus, the purpose of the play is "[to] ease the anguish of a torturing hour" before bed (5.1.35). The play is supposed to be a tragedy unsuitable for a wedding, but because of the actors becomes a comedy. The day ends in laughter and love.
In love with Demetrius, Helena chooses to love him without his returning her love. Helena says, "The more I love, the more he hateth me" (1.1.199). Demetrius is promised Hermia's hand in marriage by her father. Hermia, Helena's best friend, is in love with Lysander. Demetrius only loves Hermia because she does not love him; he wants what he cannot have. Helena's love is consistent and patient though one might think her crazy to love a man who has shown her no respect. Demetrius is put under a spell by the fairies to make him see his true love is Helena....