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Helena's Character - Act 2

In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Helena is introduced at a low point, showcasing her obsessive love for Demetrius despite his clear rejections. Her willingness to demean herself and disregard her own worth highlights the complexities of love and self-perception, as she compares herself unfavorably to others. Ultimately, Shakespeare uses Helena's character to explore the painful and often irrational nature of unrequited love.

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13 views2 pages

Helena's Character - Act 2

In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Helena is introduced at a low point, showcasing her obsessive love for Demetrius despite his clear rejections. Her willingness to demean herself and disregard her own worth highlights the complexities of love and self-perception, as she compares herself unfavorably to others. Ultimately, Shakespeare uses Helena's character to explore the painful and often irrational nature of unrequited love.

Uploaded by

cookiesncream837
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Semester 2

Q1. Based on Act 2 of the play, write a paragraph in which you bring forth your ideas
about Helena. Remember to integrate quotations from the text to support them. (200-250
words). Use PEA format.

MIND MAP

Topic sentence- Introduce Helena

Point- The audience meets Helena at a low point in her life. As the play progresses to Act 2,
Helena’s obsessive nature comes to the forefront.

Evidence-
● At the beginning of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, the audience encounters Helena at a
low point in her life. As the play progresses into Act 2, her obsessive nature becomes
increasingly evident.

● In Act 2, Helena desperately follows Demetrius into the woods, hoping he will reciprocate
her love. However, Demetrius is clear in his rejection, stating that he does not entice
Helena and “cannot love” her, commanding her to cease pursuing him (Act 2, Scene 1).
Despite this, Helena's obsession with Demetrius is so intense that she is willing to
demean herself, offering to be his “spaniel” and encouraging him to “neglect” and “beat”
her. She is prepared to accept the most “unworthy” position in his life, just to be near
him (Act 2, Scene 1).

● Even as Demetrius continues to reject her and threatens her virtue, Helena disregards
the “rich worth” of her maidenhood. Demetrius warns that she risks her reputation by
recklessly leaving Athens with a man who does not love her, wandering into a “desert
place” during the night (Act 2, Scene 1).

● Helena's obsession extends beyond Demetrius to Hermia as well. She fixates on


Hermia’s “blessed and attractive eyes” (Act 2, Scene 2), and consumed by self-pity,
she questions her own appearance and self-worth. She believes that her perceived
ugliness, comparing herself to a bear, is the reason Demetrius has “run away” from her
(Act 2, Scene 2).

● In Act 2, Scene 2, while Helena is “out of breath” from chasing Demetrius,


Lysander—under the influence of a love potion—begins to woo her, declaring he would
“run through fire” for her and praising her as a beautiful “dove,” while comparing
Hermia to a “raven.” Aware that Hermia and Lysander are true lovers, Helena assumes
that Lysander’s words are a cruel jest, mocking her “insufficiency” to win Demetrius’
love. She believes she is being “refused” by Demetrius and “abused” by Lysander’s
scornful words (Act 2, Scene 2).
Analysis- Shakespeare illustrates Helena’s character to reflect on the complexities of love.

Closing Statement-

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