LOVE AS MOTIF IN EMILY BRONTE’S WUTHERING HEIGHT

AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S MID- SUMMER NIGHT DREAM

AN UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT PROPOSAL

BY

BABALOLA GLORIA OLUWABUKOLA

MATRIC NO:

SUBMITTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES

FACULTY OF ARTS

EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO EKITI

SUPERVISOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: introduction

 Background of the study

 Statement of the problem
 Objectives of the study
 Research Question

Chapter Two: Literature Review

 The concept of Love

Chapter Three: Methodology

 Research Design
 Method of Data Collection
 Data Analysis
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The theme of love has been integral to English literature since its genesis.

Over the centuries romantic love has been portrayed by literature in its many

facets: shared love, impossible love, lost love, sexual love, spiritual love and,

perhaps most often, unrequited love. Love's impact on literature is profound. Many

literary works fiom around the world have been based on or about love. Sometimes

love in books is portrayed in a way that is too idealistic compared to the real world,

or it is a realistic perception of love and has only been made to seem idealistic due

to people's lack of faith in love. In Romeo and Juliet for instance, love is portrayed

as something worth fighting for, even unto death.

There are many interesting interpretations and inferences of the term 'love'.

According to the dictionary it is, "Strong affection that drives us towards the object

of our desires; inclination of the soul and heart; affection; passion; exclusive

inclination; theological grace." Wikipedia states that, "Love is the emotion of

strong affection and personal attachment. “In the philosophical context, "love is a

virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection." In the

religious context, "love is not just a virtue, but the basis for all being ("God is

love"), and the foundation for all divine law (Golden Rule)." In the New
Testament, it is ". . . . So faith, hope and love endure. These are the great three, and

the greatest of them is love....."(Corinthians 13 : 13) In the Qur'an, it is described

as, ". . . And of His Signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you

might find peace of mind in them, and he put between you love and compassion."

(Chapter 30, verse 2 1)In the Kabbalah it is ". . . The pure impulse of dynamic

creation is formless; and being formless, the creation it gives rise to assume any

and every form." According to etymology, the Greeks had three expressions to

designate love: Eros, Philos and Agape. Eros is the healthy love between two

persons that justifies life and perpetuates the human race. Philos is the sentiment

that we dedicate to our friends. Finally, Agape, which contains both Eros and

Philos, far beyond "likes" someone. Agape is total love, the love that devours those

who feel it.

Love is a universal human experience that has been explored and depicted in

countless works of literature. Two notable examples are William Shakespeare's "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" and Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." These two

works explore the concept of love in different ways, showcasing its power to bring

people together and to tear them apart.

In "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, love is portrayed as a powerful and

destructive force. The novel features two distinct love stories, that of Catherine

Earnshaw and Heathcliff, and that of Catherine's daughter, Catherine Linton, and
Hareton Earnshaw. Catherine and Heathcliff's love is intense and passionate, but it

is also destructive, leading to tragedy and despair. Their love is characterized by

jealousy, revenge, and an almost obsessive desire for one another. In contrast,

Catherine Linton and Hareton's love is more innocent and pure, leading to a more

hopeful ending.

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare, love is portrayed as a

whimsical and capricious force. The play features multiple love triangles, with the

characters' feelings constantly shifting and changing. The four young lovers in the

play, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena, all experience the confusing and

unpredictable nature of love. In addition, the play also features the fairy king and

queen, Oberon and Titania, who are in a complicated and tumultuous relationship.

Ultimately, the play presents love as a magical and transformative force that can

bring joy and happiness, but also confusion and chaos.

Overall, while both "Wuthering Heights" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

explore the concept of love, they do so in very different ways, with "Wuthering

Heights" presenting love as destructive and "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

presenting love as whimsical and transformative.

This study aims to explore the concept of love as portrayed in two literary works:

"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by

William Shakespeare. Love is a universal human experience that has been a subject

of exploration in literature for centuries. By examining these two works, we can

gain insights into how love has been perceived and represented in different

historical and cultural contexts. Specifically, we will analyze how love is

characterized, the factors that influence the way it is portrayed, and the impact it

has on the characters and plot. Through this analysis, we hope to gain a deeper

understanding of the concept of love and its complexities as depicted in literature.

To analyze and compare the portrayal of love in William Shakespeare's "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" and Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," exploring

the different types of love depicted and their consequences.

1.2 Statement of the Problem:

Love is a central theme in literature and has been explored extensively in various

works, including William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and

Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." However, while these two works are well-

known for their portrayal of love, there has been little research comparing and

contrasting the depiction of love in these two works. Therefore, the problem

addressed by this study is the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the portrayal of

love in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Wuthering Heights," and the need to

understand the different types of love depicted and their consequences.

1.3 Objectives of the study

i. To analyze and compare the portrayal of love in William Shakespeare's "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" and Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights,"

exploring the different types of love depicted and their consequences.

ii. To examine the different types of love depicted in "A Midsummer Night's

Dream" and "Wuthering Heights," including romantic love, familial love,

and friendship love.

iii. To analyze the role of gender in the portrayal of love in each work, including

the ways in which male and female characters experience love

differently.

iv. To examine the consequences of the relationships depicted in each work,

including the impact of love on the characters' lives and relationships

with others.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What are the different types of love depicted in "A Midsummer Night's

Dream" and "Wuthering Heights," and how do they differ from each other?
ii. How do male and female characters experience love differently in "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Wuthering Heights," and what are the

implications of these differences?

iii. What are the consequences of the relationships depicted in each work, and

how do they reflect the different types of love portrayed?

iv. In what ways do "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Wuthering Heights"

differ in their portrayal of love, and what similarities do they share?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Love has been a central theme in literature for centuries, explored in various

forms, including poetry, drama, and novels. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and

"Wuthering Heights" are two works that are well-known for their portrayal of

love. "A Midsummer Night's Dream," written by William Shakespeare in the

late 16th century, is a romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love,

including the different types of love and their consequences. On the other hand,

"Wuthering Heights," written by Emily Bronte in the mid-19th century, is a

Gothic novel that explores the darker side of love, including obsession, revenge,

and destructive passion.

Numerous scholars have analyzed and commented on the portrayal of love in

these two works. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," many scholars have

focused on the theme of love as a transformative force, capable of changing

people's attitudes and behavior. For example, Emma Smith (2010) argues that

the play's portrayal of love reveals how it can inspire people to change and to

embrace new perspectives. Meanwhile, in "Wuthering Heights," scholars have

focused on the darker side of love, particularly on the obsessive and destructive

nature of the love between Heathcliff and Catherine. For example, Christine

Alexander (2003) argues that Bronte's portrayal of love in the novel is a

commentary on the destructive consequences of passionate love.

Some scholars have also compared and contrasted the portrayal of love in these

two works. For example, Christopher T. Hogwood (2002) argues that while "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" celebrates the transformative power of love,

"Wuthering Heights" portrays love as a destructive and self-destructive force.

Similarly, Graham Holderness (2010) compares the portrayal of love in both

works, noting how "A Midsummer Night's Dream" portrays love as an ideal and

"Wuthering Heights" portrays it as a destructive passion.

 Other scholars have explored the role of gender in the portrayal of love in these

works. For example, Deborah Willis (2013) analyzes the portrayal of gender

and sexuality in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," arguing that the play's

portrayal of love is influenced by patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes.

Similarly, Charlotte Sussman (2001) explores the gender dynamics in

"Wuthering Heights," arguing that the novel challenges traditional gender roles

and stereotypes.

Overall, the literature suggests that the portrayal of love in "A Midsummer Night's

Dream" and "Wuthering Heights" is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the

historical and cultural contexts in which they were written, as well as the authors'

individual perspectives on the nature of love. By analyzing and comparing these

two works, this study aims to contribute to our understanding of the portrayal of

love in literature and to shed light on the universal and timeless theme of love.

Meanwhile, in "Wuthering Heights," scholars have focused on the darker side

of love, particularly on the obsessive and destructive nature of the love between

Heathcliff and Catherine. For example, Christine Alexander (2003) argues that

Bronte's portrayal of love in the novel is a commentary on the destructive

consequences of passionate love. Similarly, William E. Engel (1996) explores

the themes of obsession and revenge in the novel, arguing that they are the

products of a love that is rejected, frustrated, and denied.

Some scholars have also compared and contrasted the portrayal of love in these

two works. For example, Christopher T. Hogwood (2002) argues that while "A

Midsummer Night's Dream" celebrates the transformative power of love,

"Wuthering Heights" portrays love as a destructive and self-destructive force.

Similarly, Graham Holderness (2010) compares the portrayal of love in both

works, noting how "A Midsummer Night's Dream" portrays love as an ideal and

"Wuthering Heights" portrays it as a destructive passion.

Other scholars have explored the role of gender in the portrayal of love in these

works. For example, Deborah Willis (2013) analyzes the portrayal of gender

and sexuality in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," arguing that the play's

portrayal of love is influenced by patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes.

Similarly, Charlotte Sussman (2001) explores the gender dynamics in

"Wuthering Heights," arguing that the novel challenges traditional gender roles

and stereotypes.

Overall, the literature suggests that the portrayal of love in "A Midsummer

Night's Dream" and "Wuthering Heights" is complex and multifaceted,

reflecting the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written, as well

as the authors' individual perspectives on the

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, population of the study, sample and

sampling technique and research instruments

3.1 Research Design: The study will use a comparative literature approach to

analyze and compare the portrayal of love in both works. This approach will allow

for a comprehensive exploration of the theme of love in both works, as well as

identify similarities and differences in their portrayal of love.

3.2 Method of Data Collection: The data for this study will be collected through a

close reading and analysis of the primary texts, "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

and "Wuthering Heights." This will involve reading the texts multiple times and

taking notes on the portrayal of love, including the different types of love, their

consequences, and the author's perspective on love.

3.3 Data Analysis: The collected data will be analyzed through a thematic

analysis, which involves identifying themes and patterns in the data. The themes

that will be explored in this study include the different types of love, their

consequences, and the author's perspective on love. The analysis will also include a

comparison of the portrayal of love in both works, identifying similarities and

differences.