While there are many things in A Midsummer Night's Dream that modern audiences enjoy about the play, the theme of love is one that many people, from Shakespeare's original audiences to modern audiences, can relate to.

The four young lovers in the play—Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius—all seem to feel love very deeply, even before the fairies work their magic. For Lysander's love, Hermia is willing to go against her father's wishes (he wants her to marry Demetrius). Both Hermia and Lysander would rather run away and risk the punishment of Athenian law if they are caught. Helena, in love with Demetrius, betrays her friendship with Hermia with the hope of gaining a little of Demetrius's favor. She hopes that in telling Demetrius of Hermia's plan and her whereabouts, he will thank her, and that perhaps this attention will lead to something more. Demetrius...