A Midsummer Night's Dream

In William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the character of Lysander expresses the idea that "the course of true love never did run smooth" (I.i.134), and this represents a theme the runs through many of Shakespeare's plays and indeed through much of world literature. The statement itself embodies several ideas. First, it assumes that there is such a thing as true love and that it is a conception based on the idea that two people are literally meant for each other. Second, it states that these two people, though meant for each other, may have to endure a good deal before they can actually achieve the love they feel. Shakespeare works these ideas through in several of his works, including The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It, in each of which there are various pairings reflecting different aspects of love and relationships.

In both plays, there are contrasting couples used to illustrate different concepts of love and to serve to balance one another. In As You Like It, Phebe and Silvius, the rustics, are lovers contrasted with Orlando and Rosalind. Silvius pines for Phebe, who continually denies him, while Orlando is too shy to speak his mind to Rosalind and only connects with her when she is masquerading as a young man. Love is presented in The Taming of the Shrew in a somewhat different light, since what needs to be overcome here is the reluctance of the lovers themselves to be in love. This applies to Petruchio as well as to Kate, though Kate is the

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es the conflict for Lucentio and Bianca and spurs Petruchio to woo Kate. The conflict between Petruchio and Kate takes on the trappings of a war strategy as Petruchio resolves to win Kate by taming he spirit, a spirit that has frightened away all other suitors. He has been warned by Lucentio about her demeanor and her personality. Petruchio has an ulterior motive of his own and is not seeking love at all--he is seeking a rich wife. Kate also is not seeking love--she in fact works hard to drive away every man she meets. The relationship between this pair contrasts with the driving love felt by Lucentio, who suffers greatly because "the course of true love never did run smooth": I never thought it possible or likely. But see! while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness; And now in plainness do confess to thee, That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was- Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. (I.i.151-158) The problems mount for the younger lovers with the need to find a substitute father to

Category: Literature - A