A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Critical Essay

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare is a play with effective themes of love and magic.
The play begins with Egeus, Hermia’s father taking Hermia to see Theseus the Duke of Athens for his judgement about who she should marry. Meanwhile a group of craftsmen are in the forest rehearsing a play, which they plan to perform at the wedding of Duke Theseus. The fairy king Oberon sends Puck the fairy to cause some mischief. The four lovers are found in the forest by the Duke. The workmen go to the palace and preform to Theseus and Hippolyta and their guests.
The first time the theme of love is shown, is at the beginning of the play. Egeus takes Hermia to see Theseus to discuss her choice of husband. Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, but Hermia wants to marry Lysander.
“But I beseech your grace that I may know, the worst that may befall me in this case, if I refuse to wed Demetrius.”
“Either to die the death, or to abjure for ever the society of men.”
This means that if Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, she shall be put to death or live the rest of her life as a nun.
I think it is unfair that her father is the one who decides who she marries, and not to do so results in a really severe punishment.

The second time the theme of love is shown is when Hermia is telling Helena that she and Lysander are leaving.
“The more I hate, the more he follows me.”
“The more I love, the more he hates me.”
This is Hermia explaining how no matter what she does, Demetrius still loves her, and Helena is saying no matter what she does she cannot get Demetrius to love