This paper examines how, in the writings of Shakespeare, there are many great loves and how some of the
greatest are also
the
greatest examples of love for a purpose. It looks at how the love between a man and a women is often the avenue by which
intrigue transpires into change by examining and comparing three of his plays. The love between Ferdinand and Miranda in "The Tempest" acts as the starting point from which the other two are compared. The second couple is Queen Margaret and the Duke of Suffolk in "Henry VI", and the third Desdemona and Othello in "Othello". It shows how it is partly through these three couples that Shakespeare proves his literary prowess, as he uses love as a tool to increase the dramatic depth of the work and how, in the character development of these six individuals, is the demonstration of love as an avenue for intrigue and intrigue as an avenue for love.