Helena And Demetrius example essay topic

Hermia, Lysander, Helena and Demetrius represent young love in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. They are portrayed as foolish and fickle, acting like children and requiring a parental figure to guide them. The parental figures are Hermia's father, Ege us, and figuratively Theseus, the mortal ruler, and Oberon, the mystical ruler. Demetrius is a fool because he is unaware that his love changes through out the play. We learn from Demetrius that he has loved Helena before bestowing his affections on Hermia (1.1 106-107,242-243). It is not for nothing that he is termed 'spotted and inconstant man'; (1.1 110).

A though at the start of the play Demetrius no longer loves Helena. (2.1 195) Demetrius says, 'I love thee not, therefore pursue me not. ' ; (2.1 201) 'Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more. ' ; In Act 3 Scene 2, Demetrius after being juiced begins to love Helena.

(3.2 172-176) Demetrius says, 'Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none. If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as guest - wise sojourned, And not to helen is it home returned, there to remain. ' ; This proves how fickle he is, for he is not aware of his changing love once for Helena then for Hermia then returning to Helena with the help of the mystical father Oberon. Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but still persists in chasing him.

Demetrius shows no love for Helena to the point of wishing her harm. (2.1 234-235) Demetrius says ' I'll run from thee, and hide me in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts. ' ; (2.1 206-208) ' Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? or rather do I not on plainest truth Tell you I do not, nor I cannot love you?' ; Demetrius clearly illustrates to Helena that he has no interest, but Helena persists there is no limit to how far she will degrade herself to win his affections. I am your spaniel; and.

Demetrius. The more you beat me. I will fawn on you. Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me.

Neglect me, lose me: only give me leave. Unworthy as I am. To follow you. What worser place can I beg in your love- And yet a place of high respect with me- Than to be used as you use your dog?

(2.1 209-217) She is so focused on the degrading and humiliating with Demetrius that she can not accept Lysander's compliments as true. She believes him to be mocking her. Lysander is a fool because he persuades Hermia to run away with him despite her father's threats which were sanctioned by the king, Theseus (1.1 67-68) ' Either to die the death, or to abjure Forever the society of men. ' ; If she insists on marrying Lysander, Lysander persists to pressure her. He never considers the danger he has placed Hermia. So it isn't surprising when he fails to consider her reputation as he lies next to her in the forest.

(2.2 47-48) ' One turf shall serve as a pillow for us both; One heart, one bed, two bosoms, and one troth'; . Lysander is also put to the love test with the juice put on his for head only to miserably fail again, for if his love is so strong he would not fal stricken to the love potion of the juice which he is set on by Puck the mystical disturbance. And instead of loving his maid Hermia he falls in love with Helena and confuses Helena even more, by claiming to fight her Demetrius, for her love And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Transparent Helena! Nature show art, That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart. Where is Demetrius?

O, how fit a word Is that vile name to perish on my sword! (2.2 109-117) He also spites the name of Hermia. (2.2 118-120) 'Content with Hermia? No I do repent The tedious minutes I with her have spent. not Hermia, but Helena I love.

' ; Lysander is a fool with a tedious and changing heart. Hermia is a fool because she risks Banishment from her family for love with Lysander, who is ever changing and week hearted about his love. (1.1 171-173) ' My good Lysander, I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow, By his best arrow with the golden head. ' ; (1.1 181) 'Tommorow truly will I meet with thee. ' ; This is dangerous for Hermia was to marry Demetrius or be put to'; . (1.1.