Examples Of Unrequited Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back? Imagine experiencing that ten times worse. Unrequited love is a common occurrence among people all over the world. "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", written by William Shakespeare, is a play with a series of different love stories that are all somehow connected and take place over the course of four days. One of them is the one-sided love between Helena and Demetrius. Helena has been obsessively in love with Demetrius since they had a one-night stand, but he is arranged to be married to Hermia, Helena’s best friend. Helena has gotten quite infatuated with Demetrius, despite the hatred he has shown her. She has even jeopardized her friendship with Hermia, a friend since they were kids, to ameliorate

In the play, Helena’s relentless pursuit of Demetrius normalizes chasing love until it works out. In act two, Helena tells Demetrius Hermia and Lysander’s plan to run away, so now they are in the forest. Throughout all the threats and requests for her to leave him alone that Demetrius has made towards Helena, she continues to try and help him. Helena replies to Demerius’ insolence, "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" (2.1. 204–206). This quote paints a picture of how love is one-sided and unrequited. Helena is profoundly in love with Demetrius, but he does not return the affection. In spite of his mistreatment, she still loves him

Although not everyone who may have feelings for someone (unreciprocated love) is obsessive, Shakespeare has a big influence on the world, especially in English classes all throughout the country. This can have many negative effects on teens' views on love and relationships. Believing that this is “an okay” way to start a connection with a potential spouse. When observing the entirety of Helena and Demetrius’ relationship it was destructive. Demetrius constantly belittled Helena, and although she stayed in love with him, this can cause many mental and self esteem issues when looking in the real world’s view. This essay is not trying to propose banning "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" by William Shakespeare, but only saying that students should know that the relationship between the characters in this play isn't healthy. In the case of Helena and Demetrius, he was manipulated into loving her back, and that shouldn’t be an inspiration for how love should be either given or