The Concept of Love in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Term Paper , 2015 , 11 Pages , Grade: 2,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

William Shakespeare is one of the most important English authors, his plays are well known today although he lived in the 16th century. Especially his love dramas enjoy great popularity. This paper deals with his comedy „A Midsummer Night's Dream“. Nearly everybody knows the famous sentence Lysander says to Hermia: „The course of true love never did run smooth“ (MND I.i.134).

Love is the main theme in this play and this sentence mirrors the love between the four Athenian lovers very well. The flower 'love-in-idleness' screws up the whole love constellation as well as Egeus, Hermia's father, who does not allow his daughter to marry the man she loves. Throughout the play love is presented with a huge range of metaphors and it acquires new shapes.

It is notable that those metaphors who describe the love in the play are metaphors of nature. The moon, the image of inconstancy is often used to show the inconstancy of love between the four Athenian lovers caused by the magic flower. Furthermore, love is linked to the eyes, but it is misleading, however, to conclude that there is a simple association between love and beauty, just because the eyes are linked to love. Besides Shakespeare shows the power of love between the protagonists. Love is not only a feeling, it changes the perception.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The change of the love pairs..
  • Magic flower 'love-in-idleness'
  • The role of Puck.
  • Inconstancy of love...
• Different metaphors for Love.
  • Love and nature
  • The power of love..
    • Love seems to be a sickness.
  • Love and eyes
• Conclusion..

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper analyzes William Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream," focusing on the multifaceted concept of love and how it is portrayed through various metaphors, particularly those connected to nature. The play explores the complexities of love, its fickle nature, and its transformative power on the characters and their perceptions.

• The portrayal of love and its different stages in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
• The role of the magic flower 'love-in-idleness' in manipulating and transforming the love relationships within the play.
• The exploration of love through natural metaphors and their symbolic significance.
• The influence of the moon and its association with inconstancy in the context of love.
• The portrayal of love as a powerful force that alters perception and behavior.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: The introduction introduces the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and establishes love as the central theme. It highlights the famous quote about the "course of true love" and emphasizes the significant role of the magic flower in shaping the love dynamics.
• The change of the love pairs: This chapter explores the intricate and evolving love relationships between the four Athenian lovers, showcasing how the magic flower 'love-in-idleness' disrupts and shifts their affections, creating a chaotic and humorous scenario.
• Magic flower 'love-in-idleness': This chapter delves into the origins and effects of the magic flower, examining its symbolism, the research literature surrounding its metaphorical significance, and its crucial role in influencing the play's plot.
• The role of Puck: This section focuses on Puck's role as the bearer of the magic flower and his manipulation of the lovers' emotions through its use. Puck's comical clumsiness and his role as a "merry wanderer" are discussed.
• Inconstancy of love: This chapter explores the concept of inconstancy as it relates to love in the play. It analyzes the changing affections of the male characters and contrasts their fickleness with the unwavering loyalty of the female characters.
• Different metaphors for Love: This chapter discusses the use of nature as a metaphor for love in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It focuses on the symbolic significance of the "rose" and other natural imagery in representing love and its different forms.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of the text include: Shakespeare, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," love, magic flower, 'love-in-idleness,' metaphors, nature, inconstancy, moon, perception, Puck, comedy, and Athenian lovers.

• College: University of Bonn
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Clarissa Benning (Author)
• Publication Year: 2015
• Pages: 11
• Catalog Number: V334579
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668242180
• ISBN (Book): 9783668242197
• Language: English
• Tags: Shakespeare, Love, Anglistik, Literaturwissenschaften ;, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius;, Helena, Concept of Love, William Shakespeare;, Love in Idleness;