Hodge theory is a way of understanding complex shapes and geometry. It was developed by the mathematician W. V. D. Hodge in the 1950s and is used by mathematicians, physicists, and engineers to solve complicated problems.
Hodge theory works by breaking down a complex shape, like a 3D object, into simpler parts. Each of these simpler parts is called a "form" and has a different type of mathematical information associated with it. By understanding the relations between these forms, we can figure out how the overall shape should go together.
To make this easier to understand, think of a jigsaw puzzle. When all the pieces are put together, you can see the whole picture. Similarly, if you look at individual pieces, it can be harder to figure out how they all fit together. Hodge theory helps us understand how these pieces fit together to make the whole shape.