Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Love, especially young love, is blind. It can lead us into the unknown or impair our thinking, but sometimes the stars align and everything works out to a joyous ending. In A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, a comedy by Shakespeare, we follow two lovers who are well suited for each other because of their personality and attitude towards love. Dear Lysander and Hermia have at least a touch of this celestial magic with their undeniably good finale. Hermia and Lysander, two lovers ideal, satisfy the dream of love that is real. In explaining why he is more suitable than rival Demetrius, enamored Lysander puts up this fuss, I am, my lord, as well derived as he, As well possessed. My love is more than his; My fortunes every way fairly ranked (If not with vantage) as Demetrius’; And (which is more than all these boasts can be) I am beloved of beauteous Hermia.”(Shakespeare 1.1.101-6)
Lysander more eligible a suitor than Demetrius, not just because of his wealth or heritage, but because of his personality. His relatively gentle and sensitive
nature make him a better companion for fair Hermia, not fiery Helena. On the other hand, Demetrius is a very malicious man. He threatens to kill and rape Helena simply for following him like a puppy dog due to her extreme infatuation. Eegus, Theseus, and Hippolyta stumble upon the four lovers while on a hunting trip.
Upon waking, Demetrius explains Hermia and Lysander’s plan to run away to Athens and declares his love for Helena. Eegus is outraged and threatens to punish Hermia, but the Duke Theseus overrides his wishes and allows each of the four lovers to marry who they wish (Shakespeare 4.1.144-93). In Lysander acting so boldly in front of Theseus the Duke by explaining his and Hermia’s plan to run away, he illustrates how strongly he feels for her. A lesser man would surely lie and accept Helena. As for Helena, she is taking a big risk in attempting to run away, and is lucky that the Duke is so understanding; he could be brutal and have her head cut off. Both of these actions are hazards to each other, but they are well thought out and planned for the sake of true love, not foolish gambles recklessly taken by one who is crazed by magic-induced
feelings. Ultimately, any simpleton who can read will most likely be able to see that Hermia and Lysander are an ideal match. Their love is not simple, bewitched desire, but, as Lysander says, “The course of true love never did run smooth” (Shakespeare 1.1.136). Through all the troubles they have been through, true love persevered, for many couples with would have been separated in the chaos of Cupid’s magic.