Love "Found Quickly, Lost Quicker.
Renaissance traditions held that Love was a transient emotion that shows up spontaneously and also leaves or evolves sporadically. Love's arrival can occur at random times and explode thunderously. These explosions often leave casualties. The themes of A Midsummer Night's Dream correspond with these Renaissance traditions. .
The idea that Love can be found from but a glimpse of another is enacted by a magic flower used by the sprite Puck. Oberon, king of the Fairies, sends Puck for the flower to satisfy his personal whims and to also aid Helena and her helpless devotion to Demetrius. This magic flower, when applied to the eyes of a slumbering person, causes that person to fall madly in Love with the first person he should see. Oberon commands Puck to use the flower on his queen Titania, whose changeling son Oberon wishes to dispose of. Titania falls in Love with the ridiculous clown Bottom and unwittingly consents to Oberon's wish. Puck is also directed to apply the flower to Demetrius, the object of Helena's affection. Puck, in his characteristically blundering fashion, applies the flower to Lysander, the Love of Helena's friend Hermia. After realizing his mishap, Puck applies the flower to Demetrius, sending both men into blind devotion to Helena. The notion of "Love at first sight- is clearly demonstrated by this magic flower and its fantastic ability.
Traditions also held that Love was never constant and could also lead to bickering and back-stabbing. A Midsummer Night's Dream illustrates this belief with the intensity and contempt between dueling Lovers. Sparked by the magic flower's devious poison, both Lysander and Demetrius are spellbound to Helena, who only truly desires Demetrius. In true romantic fashion, the two young men decide to duel over the affection of Helena. Hermia is left broken-hearted and begins to strike out against her former friend Helena.
