“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind” (1.1234-35). Love is an irrational emotion, able to change as quickly and suddenly of the wind. People, in the name of love, are willing to overlook much in order to rationalize the actions and words of the subject of their affection. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare uses wild pansies, night, and dynamic relationships to portray differing definitions of romantic love as a passionate, sometimes, irrational force able to blind lovers to the reality of the world. The first definition of love given is love is the the conquered surrendering to the conqueror. In the opening act, Theseus says to his future bride, “Hippolyta, I wooed thee
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The irrationality of love is symbolized by the setting of the play. This Shakespearean work mostly takes place in the darkness of night. Night is often used to depict uncertainty because what is believed to be seen in the night is, more times than not, simply a figment of the imagination. When both Lysander and Demetrius are put under the spell at night, they suddenly change from loving Hermia to loving Helena. Helena is astonished by the sudden change in Lysander and Demetrius and says, “Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh. Your vows to her and me, put in two scales, will weigh, and both as light as tales” (3.2.131-33). Even Helena realizes the men’s feelings are irrational; they have no logical evidence to defend their sudden change in emotion. This sudden change in romantic interest has a negative effect on the lifelong friendship of Hermia and Helena. Not only are romantic relationships illogical, the love established in friendship can disappear with one quick word. Hermia and Helena grew up, “with two seeming bodies but one heart, two of the first, like coats in heraldry, due to one and crowned with one crest” (3.2.211-214). When romantic confusion abounds, Hermia curses Helena saying, “You juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love! What? Have you come by night and stol’n my love’s heart from him?” (3.2.281-83). This accusation …show more content…
The symbols used in A Midsummer Night’s Dream each portray the different definitions of love; in each instance, love is a passionate force, able to blind some to the reality of the world. Some, such as Helena and Titania, are still blinded to the truth of the situation. Both are willing to overlook manipulative, abusive men in order to be loved. Hippolyta submits to love in order to appease a conqueror, and she realizes she can love him back despite the situation. Hermia receives the sweetest love of all. She and Lysander know each other and choose to be together, even after circumstances seek to tear them apart. True love is able to look with the eyes and the mind. Love is no longer blind when the reality of the world is chosen to be
The irrationality of love is symbolized by the setting of the play. This Shakespearean work mostly takes place in the darkness of night. Night is often used to depict uncertainty because what is believed to be seen in the night is, more times than not, simply a figment of the imagination. When both Lysander and Demetrius are put under the spell at night, they suddenly change from loving Hermia to loving Helena. Helena is astonished by the sudden change in Lysander and Demetrius and says, “Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh. Your vows to her and me, put in two scales, will weigh, and both as light as tales” (3.2.131-33). Even Helena realizes the men’s feelings are irrational; they have no logical evidence to defend their sudden change in emotion. This sudden change in romantic interest has a negative effect on the lifelong friendship of Hermia and Helena. Not only are romantic relationships illogical, the love established in friendship can disappear with one quick word. Hermia and Helena grew up, “with two seeming bodies but one heart, two of the first, like coats in heraldry, due to one and crowned with one crest” (3.2.211-214). When romantic confusion abounds, Hermia curses Helena saying, “You juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love! What? Have you come by night and stol’n my love’s heart from him?” (3.2.281-83). This accusation …show more content…
The symbols used in A Midsummer Night’s Dream each portray the different definitions of love; in each instance, love is a passionate force, able to blind some to the reality of the world. Some, such as Helena and Titania, are still blinded to the truth of the situation. Both are willing to overlook manipulative, abusive men in order to be loved. Hippolyta submits to love in order to appease a conqueror, and she realizes she can love him back despite the situation. Hermia receives the sweetest love of all. She and Lysander know each other and choose to be together, even after circumstances seek to tear them apart. True love is able to look with the eyes and the mind. Love is no longer blind when the reality of the world is chosen to be