In William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” he illustrates his perspective on what he thinks to be true love. His play sets in a mystical forest where there are two couples who end up having odd and ill fates because of the forest’s fairies that meddle in their lives and make their love paths go astray. Through his characters, Hermia, Lysander and Helena, Shakespeare demonstrates that the course of true love never did run smooth.
In the play, the character Hermia’s characteristics include jealousy, bluntness and rebellion. Hermia thinks that Helena stole her true love, Lysander from her which made her very jealous. In a moment of rage she said to Helena, “You juggler, you cankerblossom,/ You thief of love! What, have you come by the night/ And ston’n my love’s heart from him? (Act 3. Sc 2. Line 296-298).It is evident that Hermia is jealous because she says hurtful words to Helena, which shows her other characteristic that she is a blunt person. Helena was curious to know why her true love Demetrius loves Hermia and not herself. Hermia says, “I give him curses, yet he gives me love,” (Act 1 sc.1 Line 201). Hermia is constantly cursing at Demetrius and admitting to him that she does not love him, yet he still loves her, and this confuses her. She admits how mean and blunt she has been. Hermia’s father wants her to marry Demetrius, but Hermia refuses because she loves Lysander. Hermia then tells her father: “But I beseech your grace that I may know/ The worst that may befall me in this case/ If I refuse to wed Demetrius,” (Act 1 sc.1 Line 63-54). Hermia is refusing against her father’s orders and challenging him, proving her to be a rebellious character.
Shakespeare’s message is also conveyed through the characterization of Lysander who is confident, honest and brave. While Demetrius and Lysander are debating on who should marry Hermia, Lysander simply says,” My love is more than his./ My fortunes every way as fairly ranked,/ (If not with vantage) as Demetrius;/ And (which is more than all these boasts can be)/ I am beloved of beauteous Hermia./ Why should not I then prosecute my right?” (Act 1 sc.1 line 102-107). Lysander is very confident in his love mostly and knows that he is more than the other. Hermia and Lysander were going to sleep in the forest, and Lysander tries to convince Hermia to sleep with him by saying: “Then by your side no bed room me deny/ for, lying so, Hermia, I do not lie.” Wheres the line? That shows that Lysander is very truthful and honest because he does not want to manipulate her and tells her as it is. Lysander and Hermia could not get married on behalf of Hermia’s father, so he says: “Therefore, hear me, Hermia/ I have a widow aunt, a dowager/ Of great revenue, and she hath no child/ From Athens is her house remote seven leagues,/ And she respects me as her only son/ There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee/ And to that place the sharp Athenian law/ Cannot pursue us,” (Act 1 sc.1 Line 158-166). Lysander is brave enough to break the rules and run away with Hermia.
Lastly, Shakespeare illustrates his message through the character of Helena. Helena is shown to be
