A midsummer night's dream.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" the mortal teenage
characters fall in love foolishly, and the character Bottom states, "O
what fools these mortals be". They are foolish because they act like
children. Although Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena appear
grown-up, when they are in love they act foolishly. The four teenage
lovers are fools.
Demetrius is a fool because he is unaware that his love changes
through out the play. At the start of the play Demetrius does not love
Helena. (II ii,line 188) Demetrius says, "I love thee not, therefore
pursue me not." (II ii,line 194) "Hence, get thee gone, and follow me
no more." In III ii, Demetrius after being juiced begins to love
Helena. (III ii,line 169-173) Demetrius says, "Lysander, keep thy
Hermia; I will none. If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My
heart to her but as guest- wise sojourned, And now to Helen is it home
returned, There to remain." This proves he is a fool, because he is
not aware of his changing love for Helena.
Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but she
still persists in chasing him. Demetrius shows no love for Helena.
(II i,line 227-228) Demetrius says, "I'll run from thee, and hide me
in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts."
(II i,line 199-201) "Do ...
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heart to her but as guest- wise sojourned, And now to Helen is it home
returned, There to remain." This proves he is a fool, because he is
not aware of his changing love for Helena.
Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but she
still persists in chasing him. Demetrius shows no love for Helena.
(II i,line 227-228) Demetrius says, "I'll run from thee, and hide me
in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts."
(II i,line 199-201) "Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather
do I not in plainest truth Tell you I do not, nor I cannot love you?"
Demetrius clearly illustrates to Helena that he has no interest, but
Helena persists. (II i,line 202-204) Helena says, "And even for that
do I love you the more. I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, The more
you beat me, I will fawn on you." (II i,line 220-222) "Your virtue is
my privilege. For that It is not night when I do see your face,
Therefore I think I am not in the night;" This proves that Helena is a
fool because Demetrius does not love her, but she still persists.
Lysander is a fool because he persuades Hermia to avoid death and
run away with him. Hermia must marry Demetrius or she will be put to
death. (I i,line 83-88) Theseus says, "Take time to pause, and, by the
next new moon- The sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting
bond fellowship- Upon that day either prepare to die For disobedience
to your father's will, Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would," Hermia
does not love Demetrius. (I i,line 140) Hermia says, "O hell! To
choose love by another's eyes." Hermia loves Lysander. (I i,line
50-155) "If then true lovers have been ever crossed, It stands as an
edict in destiny. Then let us teach or trial patience, Because it is a
customary cross, As due to love, as thoughts and dreams and sighs,
Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers." Lysander has an alternative
idea. (I i,line 157-159) Lysander says, "I have a widow aunt, a
dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child; >From Athens is her
house remote seven leagues." (I i,line 164- 165) "Steal forth thy
father's house tomorrow night, And in the wood, a league without the
town." Lysander is a fool because he convinces Hermia to risk death
and run away with him.
Hermia is a fool because she risks death for love. Hermia is to
marry Demetrius, or be put to death. (I i,line 95-98) Egeus says,
"Scornful Lysander, true, he hath my love, And what is mine my love
shall render him. And she is mine, and all my right of her I do estate
unto Demetrius." Lysander suggests an idea. (I i,line 157-159)
Lysander says, "A good persuasion. Therefore her me, Hermia. I have a
aunt, a dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child;" Hermia
agrees with the idea. (I i,line 168-169) Hermia says, "My good
Lysander, I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow," (I i,line 178)
"Tomorrow truly will I meet thee." Hermia is a fool because she is
risking death for the love of Lysander.
Therefore this proves, the four teenage lovers are fools. (VI i,
Theseus states) "Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, Such
shaping fantasies, that apprehend More than cool reason ever
comprehends." William Shakespeare's A Midsummers Night's Dream shows
how childishly foolish lovers can be.
