Realism verses romanticism in
Realism verses romanticism inRealism and Romanticism in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In A Midummer Night’s Dream, Theseus states, "The lunatic, the lover, and the poet are of an imagination all compact" (Act5, Scene 1). Love, in this play, is viewed in different ways. While the four main characters believe in romanticism, Theseus is a strong supporter of realism.
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bottom states, "O what fools these mortals be." Bottom proves to be quite accurate when pertaining to the four main lovers. Demetrius and Lysander both speak in figurative language and both are very handsome. Their love for Helena and Hermia deal mainly with physical attraction and flirtatious acts than love that captures body, mind, and soul. If any of the four characters posses anything of realistic love, it would be Hermia. She was willing to risk death in order to be with Lysander. This act of love goes beyond any other in this play, and demonstrates Hermia’s devotion to Lysander. "My good Lysander, I swear to thee by Cupid’s strongest bow- Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee" (Act 1, Scene 1).
Helena is one of the silliest character’s in the play, and at times can be quite irritating. Demetrius shows no love for her, yet she persists in chasing him. "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" (Act 2, Scene 1). These characters are a true definition of "love sick." All of them appear to be in love with love, more so than in love with each other. They all frantically run about, each changing partners so often that one is never really sure of who loves whom. Each consume themselves with what they consider to be real love to the point of losing touch completely with the real world. To them, love is a fairy tale which involves...
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