‘a Midsummer Night's Dream’
HELENA SPEECH ('A Midsummer Night's Dream')
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." This quote is said by Helena during Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 234 - 235. What Helena means is that, Love is an affection which occurs with the mind and not with eyes. Looks aren't everything, Love happens when 2 souls attract to each other. Therefore Love is said to be blind.
Helena is a tall, fair, sweet-hearted person. Despite her lovely characteristics she is still left unloved. Demetrius, who previously was in love with Helena, abandoned her after meeting Hermia - Helena's childhood friend. Hermia is small, has dark hair with a dark complexion. Helena is presented as a more beautiful & gentle person than Hermia, yet Hermia is loved by both Lysander & Demetrius.
Helena displays a strong determination for Demetrius' love. She informs Demetrius of Lysander & Hermia's plan to elope into the woods, after Hermia's father did not approve of their marriage. Helena may be considered as a fool but a passionate lover as she still persists, although Demetrius doesn't love her. In Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 227 - 228, Demetrius says: “I’ll run from thee, and hide me in the brakes, And leave thee to mercy of wildbeasts." He also says in Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 199 - 201, "Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather do I in plainest truth tell you I do not, nor cannot love you?" Demetrius clearly illustrates to Helena that he has no interest in her, But Helena persists. In Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 202 - 204, Helena says: "And even for that do I love you the more. I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, The more you beat me, I will fawn on you." Helena's persistence is the key aspect that causes the problems between the lovers. Oberon, the King of the fairies, shows some benevolence in wanting to make Demetrius love the suffering Helena. So he uses the power of the magic juice and asks Puck to anoint the juice, from the flower, onto the
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." This quote is said by Helena during Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 234 - 235. What Helena means is that, Love is an affection which occurs with the mind and not with eyes. Looks aren't everything, Love happens when 2 souls attract to each other. Therefore Love is said to be blind.
Helena is a tall, fair, sweet-hearted person. Despite her lovely characteristics she is still left unloved. Demetrius, who previously was in love with Helena, abandoned her after meeting Hermia - Helena's childhood friend. Hermia is small, has dark hair with a dark complexion. Helena is presented as a more beautiful & gentle person than Hermia, yet Hermia is loved by both Lysander & Demetrius.
Helena displays a strong determination for Demetrius' love. She informs Demetrius of Lysander & Hermia's plan to elope into the woods, after Hermia's father did not approve of their marriage. Helena may be considered as a fool but a passionate lover as she still persists, although Demetrius doesn't love her. In Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 227 - 228, Demetrius says: “I’ll run from thee, and hide me in the brakes, And leave thee to mercy of wildbeasts." He also says in Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 199 - 201, "Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather do I in plainest truth tell you I do not, nor cannot love you?" Demetrius clearly illustrates to Helena that he has no interest in her, But Helena persists. In Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 202 - 204, Helena says: "And even for that do I love you the more. I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, The more you beat me, I will fawn on you." Helena's persistence is the key aspect that causes the problems between the lovers. Oberon, the King of the fairies, shows some benevolence in wanting to make Demetrius love the suffering Helena. So he uses the power of the magic juice and asks Puck to anoint the juice, from the flower, onto the