'A Mid Summer Night's Dream' by William Shakespeare. How do events support Lysander's claim that "The course of true love never did run smooth"?

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‘A Mid Summer Night’s Dream’ by William Shakespeare

How do events support Lysander’s claim that “The course of true love never did run smooth”?

        In this essay I will give my views on the quote: ‘The course of true love never did run smooth,’ a statement made by Lysander to his love Hermia. I will find quotes and sections of the play, which support this claim. I will find information from the play, which may have inspired Lysander to say this.

        At the start of the play Theseus and Hippolyta are talking about their forthcoming marriage and how it came to be. You can see that they are happy and settled together as their ‘nuptial day’ is arriving; they are going to be married soon and seem very excited about the approaching event. Yet this had not always been the case, their love had not always been so smooth. It started by means of death and war: ‘Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword,’ is how Theseus describes the ways in which he won the love of Hippolyta.

        Theseus is referring to a myth, in which he killed many Amazons (warrior women). He won Hippolyta’s love by doing this as he showed courage, strength and most of all determination to win and overcome Hippolyta.

        This supports Lysander’s claim as when he made this statement he suggested reasons like ‘war’ and ‘death’ as factors which affect the course of true love, here they both played a part in the myth where Theseus ‘wooed’ Hippolyta. Theseus backs up Lysander’s statement even more, as after talking about killing many Amazon’s he says: ‘But I will wed the in another key,’ meaning that even though their relationship started badly, their marriage would be a brilliant celebration, ‘with triumph’ and ‘with pomp.’ Theseus echoes Lysander’s thoughts when he says that their relationship didn’t start smoothly but on their wedding day they would forget about the past and think of a glorious future.

        When Lysander says ‘true love never did run smooth,’ he says it in perfect unison with the play, as just prior to this claim we learn that under the ‘sharp Athenian law’ Hermia must marry Demetrius, or face the ultimatums of being killed or becoming a nun. Hermia’s and Lysander’s true love is being disturbed by Egeus, Hermia’s father, as he wants Hermia to marry Demetrius.  Theseus knows that the two have true love and sympathises with them, but still has to abide by the law, but he gives Hermia the choice of becoming a nun.

        One of Lysander’s reasons for love not running smooth is: ‘O hell, to chose love by another’s eyes.’ Meaning that social class and family will decide who they are to marry. Egeus says: ‘As she is mine, I may dispose of her,’ ensuring Theseus will agree with him.  In this day and age, the kind of comment which Egius made would generally be frowned greatly upon. However this situation has contemporary relevance, as in some parts of the world arranged marriages still happen today. These problems still face young couples today; thus adding to the contemporary relevance of the play.

 Lysander also gives these reasons for love not running smoothly: ‘O cross! Too high to be enthralled to low,’ meaning that high class can not marry into lower classes. ‘Or else misgraffed in respect of years,’ meaning that people of different ages can not get married to each other. ‘O spite! To old to be engaged to young,’ meaning that someone too old can not marry anyone too young.

We also learn in this conversation that Helena and Demetrius used to be together, but while Demetrius now loves Hermia, Helena still loves Demetrius. Lysander says Demetrius ‘made love to Nedar’s daughter, Helena.’ Helena and Demetrius used to be in love, but it did not run smooth and their love became fickle and they eventually broke up as Demetrius fell in love with Hermia; another example of love not running smoothly.

Lysander makes a plan to flee Athens with Hermia after their conversation with Egeus and Theseus. They wish to run from Athens and the law, which requires them to do as Hermia’s father wants: ‘Through Athens’ gates we have devised to steal,’ is what Lysander says when he reveals their plan to Helena. Telling Helena of their plan was Lysander’s biggest mistake, as he would shortly learn.

If Helena let Hermia and Lysander run away she would be left with Demetrius to herself. However, although she does not say it, I think she must have worried that Demetrius would either run after Hermia, or he may end his own life because he could not be with his loved one. She decides to tell Demetrius of ‘fair Hermia’s flight,’ in the hope that Demetrius will realise that chasing Hermia through the wood is pointless, as she doesn’t love him and never will. The theory is that when Demetrius comes to terms with this he will settle for Helena instead. At this point we realise that Helena is a desperate and pitiable character as she loves Demetrius so much she is willing to do anything for him.

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While Helena is thinking of telling Demetrius of the two lovers plans to flee Athens, as she reveals her thoughts and fellings to the audience in soliloquy. In it she backs up Lysander’s statement by saying: ‘Nor hath love’s mind of any judgement taste,’ meaning that she agrees love is foolish and is too easily tampered with, when it should not be. At the same time she is being very hypocritical; she is saying that love has ‘no eyes,’ and that it has blinded Demetrius, making him love Hermia passionately, even though Hermia continues to reject him. Yet Helena is ...

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