What Is There Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by William Shakespeare is a tale of love and enchantment that captivates the reader's attention. The four lovers, Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius, all embark on a journey through the woods where they find their happily ever after. However, these happy endings are not all naturally formed; Lysander and Hermia’s love is true, whereas Demetrius is enchanted to fall in love with Helena. The four lovers are wed to their correct partner, each couple achieving their desired outcome. The state in which the lovers are left is acceptable, because “all things shall be peace” (3.2.393).

Lysander and Hermia are fated to be together through an intense and true love that carries from the beginning to the end of the

Helena relentlessly chases Demetrius throughout the course of the play and finally wins his affection at the end when Demetrius is anointed with a magic flower by the fairy Puck. However, in the start of the play, Demetrius did not return Helena’s affection, which only led her to pursue him more, going as far to say that she would be his dog. Helena proclaims, “I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, the more you beat me, I will fawn on you” (2.1.207-208). Helena is so blinded by love that she is willing to give up her human identity by wishing to be Demetrius’ dog. A dog is considered to be man’s best friend, and Helena interprets this as a way to become closer to Demetrius. Her extreme and obvious exclamation of love earns the attention of the fairies, who are carefully watching the situation. The fairies notice that Demetrius and Helena’s one-sided love is disrupting and unacceptable. The fairies have to power to change the feelings of Demetrius, and they do to restore peace to the relationship between Demetrius and Helena. After Demetrius is put under a permanent love charm by Puck, Demetrius reciprocates Helena’s endearment. Demetrius announces, “The object and the pleasure of mine eye, is only Helena...But, as in health, come to my natural taste” (IV.I.171-175). With the magic from the flower Demetrius realizes Helena’s beauty and his growing affection for her creates a two-sided love that is everlasting. The original adoration is now expressed naturally as the couple equally returns passion for one another. Demetrius and Helena remain united with the aid of Demetrius’s condition, which is necessary due to their circumstances. Now as the two are in a passionate love, their relationship is reconciled, developing an adequate happily ever