Shakespeare, Reason and Love

Lovers and madmen fork over such seething brains,\n such shaping fantasies, that apprehend\n to a greater extent(prenominal) than cool close incessantly comprehends. (MSD 4-5)\n\nThis quote taken from Shakespeares A midsummer darks Dream encapsulates that which lies at the very he cheat of the bestow; the spirit of love. Shakespeares geographic expedition of love and earth comes through and through the differing sets of lovers presented in the escape. From the more keen-witted setting of Athens (Theseus and Hippolyta) toward the more irrational woods (Oberon and Titania). Amidst these cardinal contrasting places, exist the quaternary young lovers (Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and Hermia) who stray both(prenominal) these settings and thus could be a consideration for both moderateness and love. As such, the play asks questions of love in copulation to a world of reason and rationality. Perhaps as a foundation to, or quite a alongside A Midsummer nights Dream, it is master(prenominal) to look at the philosophic arguments of Plato - particularly in the Phaedrus. though its principal concern rests with the art of rhetoric, the dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus likewise falls on the nature of love along with considerations on the soul and divine imbecility. The predominant focus leave behind fall within Socrates starting signal and second name and address. This essay seeks to look for this relationship between reason and love, drawing comparisons between Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream and Platos the Phaedrus. \n\nReason and Love in the Phaedrus \nThe Phaedrus can be seen as underpinning Shakespeares musings on reason and love, particularly in A Midsummer Nights Dream, and while perhaps superfluous, it would be ill-informed to ignore Platos work. In response to Lysias, Socrates first speech tells the story of a male child or youth describe as having very galore(postnominal) lovers (237b). One of these men persuaded the male ch ild that he was not in love, though he love the lad no slight than others (237b). The man made a speech to convince the son to gi...