The Use Of Couples In A Midsummer Night's Dream By William Shakespeare

We all know for a fact that Shakespeare is surely one romanticized writer. After all, most of his successful playwrights revolved around the theme of love (Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer's Night Dream). I would not be surprised myself if he had more than one wife during his lifetime. In “A Midsummer's Night Dream”, there are many romantic and loving couples (or perhaps just an infatuated couple through the work of hormones) mentioned in the play. These couples consists of: Theseus and Hippolyta, Helena and Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander, Titania and Bottom, and finally; the conflicting Oberon and Titania. Although we may assume that the list of couples mentioned were in love, there are three types of love which are sub-categorized into: “Eros”, infatuation and arranged love. The definition of Eros is erotic love or in other words; sexual or romantic love. This type of love can be obtained if the victim of this disease is sexually attracted to another person through his/her appearance or personality (most likely appearance). The candidates for the victimization of this disease in
the play are; Helena and Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander. “How now, my love? Why is your cheek so pale? How chance the roses there do fad so fast?” “Belike for want of rain, Which I could well beteem them from the tempest of my eyes” (Lysander and Hermia conversing, 1.1.128-131). Furthermore, the quote above explains the erotic love clashing between Lysander and Hermia. “O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! To what my love shall I compare thine eyne?” ( Demetrius confessing his love to Helena under the effects of the love juice, 3.2 137-138). Nevertheless Demetrius satisfied Helena's desperate love towards him through the power of the love juice. Infatuation is present in this play in a smaller context compared to the amount of times Romanticized love is present. The characters presented with infatuation are Titania and Bottom, Titania and Puck. “What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet love?” (Titania infatuated by Puck's charismatic leadership 4.1 28). “Tie up my lover's tongue; bring him silently” (Titania infatuated by Bottom through the effects of the wrongly applied love juice 3.1 186). As a result these quotes clearly explain that Titania's loyalty towards Oberon is questionable (excluding the infatuation between Titania and Bottom since the love potion was the cause and reason). The love between Theseus and Hippolyta, Oberon and Titania are described as “caste” or noble love.
This type of love exists as a form of agreement usually to present surrender or to keep “noble blood” through marriage of the same upper class. Firstly, the interaction and dialogue between Theseus and Hippolyta is very bland and not energetic (examples can be shown through any type of dialogue between Theseus and Hippolyta during act 5) . Nevertheless, one can assume that they are built on the foundation of “noble love”. According to internet sources; Hippolyta decided to marry Theseus as a sign of surrender and defeat when their two nations were fighting to the point where the Athenians defeated the Amazon nation. Oberon and Titania nearly have the same concept in terms of love. Both are King and Queen and married each other to keep their important
nobility. In conclusion, Eros love exists through the young Athenians ( Helena Lysander, Demetrius Hermia). Infatuation resides between Titania Bottom and Titania Puck. Noble love consists of the usual king/queen relationship, thus Theseus Hippolyta and Oberon Titania. Nevertheless, in summary there are three types of love; Eros, Infatuation and finally noble love.