In A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of William Shakespeare's masterpieces, Shakespeare explores various aspects of love and friendship. With the help of main characters such as Lysander, Demetrious Helena and Hermia, he strives to make the path of love strewn with pitfalls, but if one is committed and faithful, one can defy these obstacles that lead to success. . As Lysander says: “The course of true love never ran smoothly”, the love stories presented in the play go through difficult situations but ultimately true love is recognized by the triumph of true loves. As in almost all love stories, the story of Lysander and Hermia The love story has a twist: Hermia's father asks Hermia to marry Demetrious. It's a very classic situation. In the past, parents had the right to organize their daughter's marriage to whomever they wished. Usually they exercised their rights, which is the case in Hermia's life. This creates a big problem and causes enormous pressure for Hermia and Lysander, because they love each other. Furthermore, the Athenian rule that governs the father's right to choose the groom for his daughter encourages the duke to warn Hermia to make a decision within a very short time of four days: either she wants to be a nun for life or marry Demetrious. The absence of Hemia's mother in the story seems to make things difficult for Hermia, but we cannot say that the presence of her mother could have changed the situation. If her mother were alive, as a woman herself, she might have understood where Hermia stands. At least Hermia would have received more support. Nonetheless, even though her mother had supported her, women had very little say in important decisions during these...... middle of paper ...... heirs love lives. Despite all the difficulties the lovers face, eventually everyone gets along and they get their loves and the problems seem to be resolved at least for the moment. The Duke ultimately supports Lysander and Hermia's marriage and Helena readily accepts Demetrious although she is skeptical of his unexpected change in behavior. The Duke changes his mind about Lysander and Helena's love and decides not to apply the Athenian rule which obliges him to support the position of Hermia's father. Even after Hermia's father's opposition, he allows Lysander to marry Hermia on his own wedding day to Demetrious and Helena. The story has a happy ending, unlike many of Shakespeare's works such as Romeo and Juliet. Although the characters' journey to their love has been fraught with difficulties, they are ultimately victorious in achieving their love..