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True Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

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One of Shakespeare's most memorable quotes of all time, “The course of true love never did run smooth” (1.1.136). The acclaimed play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is encompassed with just the right blend of romance and comedy and clearly displays the ridiculousness often associated with love. It evidently displays the folly of love as the emotions created from love can blind the admirers leading them to act rash and recklessly as seen prominently through the actions of Hermia, Helena and Titania.
Hermia repeatedly exhibits foolish behaviour whilst the time in which she is undoubtedly, deeply in love with Lysander. Hermia's father, Egeus, enters Theseus’s court with a complaint against his daughter Hermia who refuses to marry a man of his choice. When told to comply or face the consequences, Hermia quickly replies, …show more content…

Fair Helena stupidly pursues Demetrius, a man who loathes her, into the forest where her well-being can not be assured. Demetrius even goes as far as threatening her safety, when he angrily replies, “Or if thou follow me, do not believe / But I shall do thee mischief in the wood” (2.1.240-41). However, Helena’s deep affection for Demetrius clouds her good judgement, causing her to hastily reply, “I’ll follow thee and make a heaven of hell” (2.1.247). Helena is relentless in her pursuit without once considering her safety. She is willing to offer up her virginity to a man who could not care less about her. In addition, she is portrayed as impulsive and thoughtless in her decisions once again when she says, “The more you beat me, I will fawn on you. / Use me but as your spaniel: spurn me, strike me, / Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave” (2.1.208-10). Her longing for Demetrius’s approval and love deprives her of reasoning. Altogether, Helena’s longing for Demetrius’s love affects her good

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