I would like to start this blog by beginning that love cannot be described with one aspect sufficiently, for the many characteristics and qualities of love make linking the intangible with tangible words a most difficult task. Shakespeare criticizes what was traditionally thought of as love in his time when marriages were prearranged. The bride and groom often had little to no interest in each other and often married for political reasons especially in the nobility. I think Shakespeare represents this aspect of "love" through Egeus who essentially attempts to force his own daughter, Hermia, into marrying a man she is not interested in, Demetrius. Demetrius desires to marry Hermia because Hermia's father is very wealthy and will pay a large dowry to the man who marries his daughter.
Shakespeare then gives the perception that "love is blind." Blind is an interesting word choice to describe love because blind implies the presence of little to no reason and uncontrollable. Cupid's love juice shows how love can be blind as with a simple drop the eye, both Lysander and Demetrius fall madly in love with Helena. I think that in this manner Shakespeare depicts an insipid or even almost silly side of love. It seems that when Shakespeare discusses blind love, extreme hyperboles and elaborate poems are smoothered upon the recipient which are to a degree comical.
Then Shakespeare depicts what is classically known as true love through the character Hermia. Sonnet 116 states the qualities of true love; "it is an ever-fixed mark, it is the star to every wand'ring bark." Throughout the whole play, Hermia keeps her love for Lysander. Through all the drama that develops in the plot, Hermia's love does not change for Lysander even when Lysander, in his Cupid juice rage, disrespects and treats Hermia in shocking ways.
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