How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #1
Masha: I know you love me; I'm touched. I just don't love you back, that's all. (1.8)
In this early scene, Masha's response to Medvedenko is casual and matter-of-fact; but as the play goes on, her involvement in an unhappy love triangle causes her more and more pain. She drinks more, smokes more, and abandons her baby.
Quote #2
Konstantin: It's her! Oh, I can't live without her! Even the sound of her footsteps is perfect! I'm so happy I'm out of my mind! (1.34)
Konstantin is at his happiest in this moment—just before the failed premiere of his play begins to turn Nina against him. Poor guy.
Quote #3
Nina: But nothing happens in your play! It's all one long speech. And I think a play ought to have a love story. (1.66)
Here's Chekhov with a little gentle self-mockery for the lack of action in his own plays. Although nobody could accuse him of leaving out the love.
Quote #4
Paulina to Dorn: Put your hat back on! You're going to catch cold like that! (1.101)
Paulina may be trying to express her love by fussing over Dorn, but this seems to be the wrong way to seduce the travel- and freedom-loving doctor.
Quote #5
Dorn: You're so upset! You're all so upset! All this love… It's that magic lake! (Tenderly [To Masha]) But what can I do to help, my child? Hm? What? What? (1.188)
Doctor Dorn seems detached from love… but he's certainly not detached from sex. Do you think he's making a move on Masha here?
Quote #6
Masha: (With contained emotion) You should see him whenever he recites something he wrote: his eyes burn, his face gets very pale and intense. He has such a beautiful, sad voice! You can tell he's a real poet. (2.19)
Art can make people fall in love with the artist behind it. Think about it: how many rock stars have you fallen in love with?
Quote #7
Konstantin: You've changed. You look at me with that cold look; you're always on edge when I'm around. (2.85)
Nina's falling in love with Trigorin and the prospect of being near his success. Konstantin is in agony.
Quote #8
Trigorin: Idea for a short story. The shore of a lake, and a young girl who's spent her whole life beside it… she's happy and free as a seagull. Then a man comes along, sees her, and ruins her life because he has nothing better to do. Destroys her like this seagull here. (2.117)
The doctor and the writer are exempt from real, heart-wrenching love in this play. Chekhov was both; is he making some comment about himself? Is it the observational aspect of these professions that keeps these men from digging in to life as well?
Quote #9
Masha: I made up my mind to tear love out of my heart, tear it out by the roots. (3.1)
Nice try, Masha. Daughter of a lieutenant-turned-farm manager, she believes that hard work and fortitude can solve anything. But she never gets over her love for Konstantin, no matter how hard she tries.
Quote #10
Konstantin: The last few days, I've loved you the way I did when I was little. Totally, tenderly. You're all I've got. (3.65)
As Arkadina rewraps the bandage around Konstantin's head, he professes his love for her. Five minutes later, though—just as in some fiery love affair—he's at his mother's throat and she makes him cry.