Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Theseus mentions “Lovers and madmen have such seething brains” (5.1.4). Lovers and madmen seem like very different beings, but in truth, they are much alike. This can be seen throughout the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play by William Shakespeare demonstrates both the passion as well as the dangers love brings. Love has the power to deceive the eyes of the ones in love, leading to irrational behaviours as seen through Titania, Hermia and Helena.

Love alters Titania’s view, which causes her actions to be absurd. The Queen of Fairies falls in love with Bottom who, instead of his own head, has an asshead. Despite his preposterous appearance, she confesses her love saying “And thy fair virtue’s force perforce doth me / On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee” (3.1.128-29). To the eyes of the audience, it is obvious how Bottom is not someone Titania will give the

Even though Demetrius clarifies, “I do not love you nor cannot love you?” (2.1.205). Helena, instead of giving up or understanding she has no hope in getting Demetrius’ love back, her urge of getting what has once belonged to her increases. She explains how “I am your spaniel, and, Demetrius, / The more you beat me, I will fawn on you” (2.1.207-08). Her obsession over a man who does not love her back causes her to recklessly tell Demetrius, he can use her as he pleases. Her longing for the love of Demetrius, for him to love her back has crossed the line of being reasonable, causing her to be ridiculous in the eyes of the audience. Also, Helena understands that the love of her life does not feel the same way; nonetheless, it is hard for her to accept the reality, causing her to desperately reach out her hand for him. In addition, her determination does not waver even with Demetrius’ threats. Her desperation demonstrates how rash actions are the result of love altering the view of the person in