"The course of true love never did run smooth" (1.1.134). While many times true in real life, this quote from Lysander exemplifies one of the main themes of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Throughout the play nothing comes without problems for Hermia and Lysander. True love, according to these two young lovers, does not come easy for anyone, but they know lovers must persevere through the difficulties.
             First of all, as in the case of many love stories, there are family members in the way of true love. Hermia's father, Egeus, picks Demetrius as a future husband for his daughter. Hermia, however, does not agree to this, for she loves Lysander. The ruler Theseus orders Hermia to obey her father and marry Demetrius or else she would be sent to the nunnery or even be put to death. Lysander and Hermia do not like the idea of being told to love someone that someone else has picked. Hermia exclaims, "O hell! – to choose love by another's eyes" (1.1.140). She decides to risk her life for true love by running away to the woods with Lysander. This illustrates how powerful true love can be, for Hermia would rather risk death to be with Lysander than to marry Demetrius, whom she did not love.
             As you can see from their actions, Lysander and Hermia believe true love can only come from personal choice. They also know love is fragile and they believe that if anything can go wrong with love, it will. Lysander points out several difficulties that arise with love. He and Hermia discuss,
             The course of true love never did run smooth,
             But either it was different in blood -
             O cross! – too high to be enthralled to low.
             Or else misgrafted in respect of years –
             O spite! – too old to be engaged to young.
             Or merit stood upon the choice of friends –
             O hell! – to choose love by another's eyes.
             Or if there were a sympathy in choice...