Shakespeare was a master at encompassing all aspects of love within his works. He is able to show the wide emotional range that transcends time and cultures. His depiction of love ranges from humorous to tragic. By looking at the vast examples of love within the works of William Shakespeare one can gain a better understanding of how love is relevant within our own lives.
The Concept of Love in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
If one could use one word to summarize “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” it would have to be “love.” Love is displayed with all its trials, triumphs, and heartbreak. We see two ill-fated crushes with Helena and Hermia, neither of which is free to act upon them. When Puck steps in with his love potion, we see how love causes insanity and chaos, much like a drug. Relentlessly the two pursue their loves to the dismay of the men. This insanity is apparent in Helena's quote "The more you beat me, I will fawn on you" (Shakespeare, 205). Eventually we do see their devotion pay off as the spell is removed and each receive the object of their affection. We also get a glimpse of the unhappiness resulting from the “forced love” between Thesus and Hippolyta. It leaves one to question if the pursuit is worth the result.
The relationship between Titania and Oberon is perhaps the most complex. Neither is clear about their intentions and love. While they torment each other, they seem to delight in it. One would have to surmise that they truly love each other or they would not rule the kingdom together or endeavor to hurt one another if there were no emotions involved.This is expressed when Titania proclaims, My Oberon! what visions have I seen!/Me thought I was enamour'd of an ass./How came these things to pass?/ O, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now! (Shakespeare,4.1.6)
Love in “Twelfth Night”
William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is a wonderful example of strong women who felt oppressed by the society in which they lived. Not only did they pursue their love, but also stood up against societal roles. Despite the restrictions these ladies faced, they were determined to achieve their goals.
Gender confusion is prevalent within this play. Viola, pretending to be a man, falls in love with Orsino but can’t profess her feelings because of her act. Olivia, though adored by Orsino, falls in love with Viola who she thinks is a man (Shakespeare). This ongoing confusion is meant to be entertaining in a comedic scene but it also is a revelation in the exploration of gender identity. Orsino’s odd desrcription of love sows the dynamics between pain and pleasure as they relate to love, “O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,/Methought she purged the air of pestilence!/ That instant was I turn'd into a hart;/And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, E'er since pursue me.”(Shakespear,1.1.2)
“Twelfth Night” mixes love and comedy to explore concepts of gender roles. This insight into women opens our minds to what factors make a relationship work (Shakespeare) Despite the fact that very few females were allowed to act in Shakespeare’s time and faced strict standards, he preferred to write strong, willful, and intelligent heroines into his works.
Even though these women were not the typical Elizabethan ladies, the theme of women as property runs throughout the play. We see how fathers, not the ladies, get to choose their daughter’s husbands, much to their dismay (Shakespeare). Society recognizes these women as property, and has laws that can put them to death should they disobey. Women were not given a much of a choice, however both Olivia and Viola decide to take their fate into their own hands thus bucking societal norms. Rebellion remains a major theme throughout the play. This shows just how far society has come in accepting that women should have a choice in their life changing decision.
The relationships within “Twelfth Night” are complex, and gender confusion leads one to wonder if they are in love with the male or female versions of the characters. The idea that “love” is not exclusive to opposite sex couples is a concept that is more in keeping with today’s societal acceptance. Shakespeare seemed to be foretelling a time were gender did not matter in regards to love.
The Twisted Love of “Hamlet”
In “Hamlet” love is equated with madness and despair. Unlike the previous two plays where the characters find love and presumably “live happily ever after” the love in “Hamlet” ends tragically and violently. The madness of Hamlet was driven on by the marriage of his mother to Claudius. Hamlet see this as a treasonous love, he feels his mother is a traitor for marrying her husband’s murderer (Shakespeare). Hamlet also shows an unhealthy almost oedipal love for his mother,.
Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia is also an unhealthy one. Spurred on by his obsessions, Hamlet continuously keeps Ophelia confused about his feeling for her. She is unable to determine what is love and what is madness. It is suggested that perhaps Hamlet is mad because of his love for Ophelia, however the audience knows this is not the case (Shakespeare). Confused and left in the dark, Ophelia cannot handle Hamlet’s coldness, she falls into despair and commits suicide (Shakespeare).
The relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet is a prime example of a love gone badly. Secrets and misunderstandings are prevalent within the relationships depicted in Shakespeare’s works, however this is taken to a drastic level within “Hamlet”. Hamlet is left in heartbreak, at Ophelia’s graveside he states, "I loved Ophelia, forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum.” (Shakespeare, 292). This profound statement illustrates the deepness of love and the affect that Shakespeare’s words can have on the audience. Hamlet did not truly understand the depth of his emotions until his love was taken from him. “Hamlet” serves as a warning that nothing lasts forever and happiness is fleeting. Hamlet lost out on his happily ever after because of his obsession with revenge.
Conclusion
In summary, Shakespeare uses many examples of love within his works. He recognized how important love is within everyone’s lives, no matter what sex, culture, or time period his reader may be from. Shakespeare effectively expresses both the challenges and triumphs associated with love. By giving the audience an “outsiders” view of love we are able to identify relationship problems and delight in trying to determine the outcome of each romance. He addresses concepts of love in many different ways. Sometime he takes a humorous approach, poking fun at human nature that leads us relationship follies. Other times he takes a more serious approach, analyzing human nature in an attempt to better understand how and why humans love.
Works Cited:
Islam, S. "Love in Shakespeare." The Daily Star. N.p., 19 2011. Web. 22 Dec 2012.
Jamieson, L. "Love in Shakespeare." About. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec 2012.
Shakespeare, W. (2012) Hamlet Penguin Classics. Print.
Shakespeare, W. (1999) A Midsummer Nights Dream Penguin Classics. Print.
Shakespeare, W. (2011) Twelfth Night Random House Print.
