“There does seem to be a something in the air of Hartfield which gives love exactly the right direction, and sends it into the very channel where it ought to flow. The course of true love never did run smooth – A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 9. Austen’s admiration for Shakespeare can be seen throughout her works. Here Emma speaks of Hartfield as a place where love always flows in the right direction. Her mind is on the match she is encouraging between Harriet and Mr. Elton, whom Emma mistakenly believes loves Harriet. Adding to the irony is the reference to the line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream about true love never running smoothly. For Harriet and Mr. Elton the course of true love will run anything but smoothly.