"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH".
The course of true love in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" never did run smooth. From not being able to marry the love of your choice.
Egeus is determined that his daughter, Hermia, will marry the man of his choice, Demetrius, but Hermia loves not Demetrius but Lysander whom loves her back. Helena loves one who loves her not - Demetrius. Egeus sees the Duke and begs for his support in forcing Hermia to accept his wishes. Lysander argues that he is just as suitable a husband as Demetrius, with the advantage of being loved by Hermia. The Duke cannot change the law so he gives her three choices.
"Either to die the death, or to abjure.
Forever the society of men.".
(Act I, Scene I, Line 65).
"You can endure the livery of a nun,.
For aye to be in shady cloister mew"d,".
(Act I, Scene I, Line 70).
Hermia and Lysander decide to run away from Athens and they tell Helena who tells Demetrius because she thinks he will be grateful. Helena is jealous that Demetrius loves Hermia so.
"Take comfort: he no more shall see my face;.
Lysander and myself shall fly this place.".
(Act I, Scene I, Line 202).
Demetrius runs in pursuit after the couple at night into the woods and threatens violence if Helena does not leave him alone. Poor Helena is head over heels in love with him and will not give up.
"Do I not in plainest truth.
Tell you I do not nor I cannot love you?".
(Act II, Scene I, Line 200).
"The more you beat me, I will fawn on you".
(Act II, Scene I, Line 204).
While all this is happening, the King of the Fairies, Oberon, was listening. He had just had a row with the Queen Titania and stayed in the woods looking for a little western flower (pansy).
"The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid.
Will make or man or woman madly dote.
Upon the next live creature that it sees.".
(Act II, Scene I, Line 170).