摘要：Lots of critics believe that ＂relationship＂ could be a central theme for Shakespeare＇s plays. However, what Shakespeare portrays is not merely the relationship about ＂love,＂ but also the relationship in a family. This paper therefore aims to discuss the father-son relationship and the father-daughter relationship in the families portrayed in Shakespeare＇s plays： The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night＇s Dream and The Tempest. I will analyze how the father-son relationship differs from the father-daughter relationship as exploring the love stories taking place in lives of our heroes and heroines. Additionally, I would like to bravely suspect Shakespeare＇s intention to overturn the patriarchal frame in an exotic territory while depicting the struggle and entanglement of a father character who realizes the lonely emptiness he has to face after fulfilling the happiness of his child.