Analysis of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

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Analysis of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare A Midsummer Nights Dream is a play by William Shakespeare, and I believe is mainly summed up by this line from the play ‘The course of true love never did run smooth’ This is basically saying that being in love comes with many obstacles and dilemmas. In the play there is a dilemma at the beginning, this is where Egeus is going to visit Theseus, the ruler of Athens, with concern for his daughter and whom she wishes to marry. ‘Full of vexation I come with complaint of my child, my daughter Hermia’ (Act one, scene one line 21) This is because Hermia loves and wants to wed Lysander but her father Egeus, wishes for her to wed Demetrius, and because Hermia will not obey her father he has gone to Theseus for back-up. This is an obstacle because Hermia and Demetrius are not allowed to wed and therefore cannot be together unless they elope. Theseus bans them from being married as he follows Egeus’ wishes ‘To you your father should be a god, (Act one, line 47) Hermia believes though, that Demetrius doesn’t infact love her and only wants her fathers money ‘Where the world mine Demetrius being bated’ (Act one, line ) This quote suggests that Demetrius who not long since loved Helena has suddenly began to fight for Hermia and is showing interest when he didn’t before. ‘O teach me how you look and with what art you sway the motions of Demetrius’ heart’. (Act one, line ) Because Helena who is madly in love with Demetrius is rather upset and angry that Hermia has ‘stolen’ Demetrius and does not see he only wants materialist things from Helena not love.... ... middle of paper ... ...cle that everything settles towards the end. Both couples awake to find themselves naked in the forest, Demetrius laid with Helena and Lysander with Hermia. All four do not know how they became to be there and cannot explain to Theseus and Egeus why so ‘I pray you all stand up. I know you two are rival enemies. How comes the this gentle concord in the world’ (line138) Lysander: ‘My lord, I shall reply amazedly, half asleep, half waking. But as yet I cannot truly say how came here’ (line143) Egeus tries to argue as they were to run away, ‘Enough, enough my lord you have enough, I beg the law, the law, upon his head’ But Theseus sees the funny side and frees them ‘Fair lovers you are fortunately met. Of this discourse we more will hear anon.’ And both couples are together – ‘every man shall have his mare’

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