Hermia – Midnight Summer’s Dream Essay, Research Paper

Hermia , Lysander , Helena and Demetrius represent young love in Shakespeare s A Midsummer Night s Dream . They are potrayed as foolish and fickle , acting like children and requiring a parental figure to guide them . The parental figures are Hermia s father , Egeus , 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 ). Athough 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 reamain. 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 humilating realtionship 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 disturbence . 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 tediouis 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 everchanging 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 Demetius or be put to . ( 1.1