Is love a reasonable rational force in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?

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In A Midsummer Night’s Dream love is portrayed both as a reasonable and an irrational force that causes many absurd and excessive actions. In the forest we observe the uncontrollable force of love strongly affecting both humans (Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius) and fairies (Titania and Oberon), causing all of them to question the very nature of their loves. These irrational actions become even more silly when the “love potion” comes into play, whose very power causes one to fall in love with someone over which they have no volition. Significantly, in the end, these characters do achieve true love, but their choice is made only after the mistakes of the dream-like night. Shakespeare seems to be suggesting that while love may flourish, its course is not entirely rational. At the beginning of the play the audience sees Helena heartbroken, pathetic, depressed, and desperately trying to gain Demetrius’ favor. He harshly rebukes her, “For I am sick when I look on thee”, never showing any affection towards her. Helena persists, even while there is no rational reason to be in love with Demetrius, “And I am sick when I do not look on you”. Demetrius continues through the forest, verbally beating Helena. She persists, with mindless and irrational statements like, “I am your spaniel, Demetrius,”, and, “The more you beat on me, the more I shall fawn on you.” Helena is utterly head over heels in love with Demetrius, even while he rebukes her, insults her, and tells her to leave him alone. In this instance, love is completely irrational. At the beginning of the play, Lysander and Hermia are again, head over heels in love with each other. They are a perfect couple except for one big problem – Hermia’s father, Egeus, is against their marriage. With no logical reason, ignoring the fact

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