Essay On Hermia In A Midsummer's Night Dream

In the play, A Midsummer's Night Dream, the audience is introduced to three, young, beautiful women known as Hermia, Helena, and Titania. Each of these women have different qualities that make up who they are as a character. Hermia portrays herself as strong - willed and independent. Helena however, presents herself as feeble yet persistent. Titania depicts herself as mystical, majestic, and compassionate. Despite these women having different traits, they all share something in common. Through Shakespeare's characterization of Hermia, Helena, and Titania, his view of women is that they all are distinctive. However, in spite of the personalities they possess they each have an unknown weakness: Their love for the men of whom they desire. In

In spite of her not being sure of what awaits in the forest, or her future, Hermia agrees to run off with Lysander. Hermia happily states to her love, “In the same place that thou hast appointed me/Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee” (1.1.177-178). Hermia is so excited about her and Lysander’s verdict, that as she comes upon Helena, she tells Helena of her plans. Hermia explains to Helena, “Take comfort. He no more shall see my face;/Lysander and myself will fly this place” (1.1-202-203). Helena is then left with her own thoughts after Hermia and Lysander leave. It is then that Hermia comes up with a plan to get the man she longs

(1.1. 242-251) Hermia does not fail to follow through with her plan. After she sees Demetrius go into the wild forest to fetch Hermia, she herself begins to trail after Demetrius. However, she must face and bear the harsh words of Demetrius, when he discovers of her pursuit. After hearing the words that have sparked her insecurity, Helena explains to her love: You draw me, you hardhearted adamant!/ But yet you draw not iron, for my heart/ Is true as steel. Leave your power to draw,/ And I shall have no power to follow you. (2.1.195 – 198) Demetrius is still confused with concept of why she lingers around him, and Helena can only expound that it is simply her love. Yet, it is her love that leads to her being blind of her own value. Throughout their adventure in the forest, Helena and Demetrius continue to banter. But as they argue, Helena does not see how special she truly is. She has become dependent on hearing words of love from Demetrius. It is confirmed as so when Helena tells him: I am your spaniel, and Demetrius,/The more you beat me, I will fawn on