Jul 24, 2008

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Helena (Character Analysis)

In the first scene of the play, we are introduced to Helena's problem: she desperately loves Demetrius, but he is in love with her friend Hermia. Both Lysander and Helena herself reveal that Demetrius was at one time involved with Helena. Lysander tells Theseus that Demetrius "Made love to … Helena, / And won her soul" (I.i.107-08). Helena says that before Demetrius looked upon Hermia, "He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine" (I.i.242-43). In an attempt to win back some of Demetrius's affection, Helena tells him of Hermia's plan to meet in the wood and elope with Lysander. According...