Dent's produced an argument that the most pervasive element of A Midsummer Night's Dream is the contrasting role of imagination in love and in art. He states that "the origin of love never lies in reason." Dent also elaborates on the magic charm by which love is to be manipulated within a single night is quite naturally a flower potion administered on the eyes. Dent considers that during the age that the inexplicability of love's choices was a favorite topic for discussion. He suggest that Shakespeare leaves his audience with no kind of answer beyond the fact that such true loves do exist.
Bevington, David. "But we are Spirits of AnotherSort,":The Dark Side of Love and Magic in a Midsummer Night's Dream. Ed. Richard Button. New York:St. Martin's Press, 1996. 24-35.
Bevington examines the play writings use of contrasting dark and comic elements in the play, especially the tension between desire and restraint. Bevington finds in the play what he refers to as the dark side of love. He believes that the fairies make light of love by mistaking the lovers and by applying a love potion to Titians's eyes.
Young, David P.. "Bottom's Dream," in Something of Great Constancy: the Art of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."Yale University Press, 1966 p.111-166. o
Young argues that the world of dreams and represented by the fairies play a key role in Shakespere's exploration of the relationship between art and reality. His idea is that Shakespere's idea motif and magic leaves the impression that the play is thoughtless. Young also argues that A Midsummer Nights Dream, "has suffered seriously from the charge of intellectual triviality."
Benedetto, Croce. "Comedy of Love." A Midsummer Nights Dream. eds. Judith M. Kennedy and Richard F. Kennedy, London:Athlone