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"I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight,
Then to the wood he will tomorrow night
Pursue her, and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense"
She hopes that he will thank her for telling him. Fat chance.
This is a darn good question. This is what she says: "I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight, then to the wood will he tomorrow night pursue her, and for this intelligence if I have thanks it is a dear expense. But herein mean I to enrich my pain to have his sight thither and back again." What she is saying is that if Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia's plan, Demetrius will definitely follow Hermia Into the Woods. What does Helena hope to get out of this? Demetrius might thank her. She may be able to see him as he chases around after another girl. Golly.
What is even more difficult is that Helena ought to know, as we all know, that if she does not tell Demetrius anything, then at some future time, she will be able to say to Demetrius: "Do you know what I just heard? Hermia has eloped with Lysander and they are living in Corinth. Oh, that is so sad for you. Let me give you a big hug to cheer you up." and she gets him on the rebound. Why does she choose a course of action that will foil her best chance of getting Demetrius for herself?
The answer might lie in Helena's lack of self-esteem. She constantly moans and whines about how she is as ugly as a bear and couldn't possibly get anyone's love. When Lysander and Demetrius protest that they love her, she refuses to believe it. If she believes that she has no chance of getting Demetrius to love her, then perhaps all she can hope for is the crumbs of his thanks and getting a chance to see him. (This character trait of Helena's bodes ill for her married life with Demetrius. It's a classic mentality for spousal abuse.)
Or the cynical might say that Shakespeare needed to get Demetrius and Helena into that wood somehow, and this was the best he could think of as a motivation. Even if it doesn't make that much sense, at least it moves the play forward
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Did Hermia tell Helena that she was running away with Lysander or did Helena overhear the conversation between Hermia and Lysander?
Hermia told her. "Take comfort. He [Demetrius] no more shall see my face. Lysander and myself shall fly this place." Lysander tells her as well. "Helen, to you our minds we will unfold."
Who loves who in midsummer nights dream?
Demetruis > HermiaHermia >< LysanderHelena > DemetruisAfter the spell is set cast:Hermia > LysanderLysander > HelenaHelena > DemetruisFrom weirdo Somebody
What is the love triangle in midsummer night dream?
A "love triangle" is when three people are involved with each other, either directly or indirectly. For instance, a man dating two different women who might or might not know about each other.
What is the name of Hermia's mother in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her best friend is Helena. Hermia tells Helena that she plans to elope with Lysander, but Helena passes the message on to Demetrius. Not a very good best friend, then.
Who does hermia love?
Lysander is in love with Hermia at the beginning of the play but cannot marry her because her father will not consent. Demetrius is also sort of in love with her but cannot marry her because she refuses to marry him.
Who likes who in midsummer nights dream?
In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," there are multiple love interests and relationships. Hermia loves Lysander, Demetrius initially loves Hermia but later falls for Helena, and Helena loves Demetrius. Additionally, Titania, the queen of the fairies, falls in love with Bottom when she is under a spell.
Who are the four young lovers in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
The four young lovers in A Midsummer Night's Dream are Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. The play explores their intertwined romantic entanglements amidst the magical chaos unleashed by the fairy Puck.
Who loves who in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Hermia loves Lysander. Lysander and Demetrius both love Hermia. Helena loves Demetrius.
What does hermia acuse Helena of?
Helena accuses Hermia of conspiring with Lysander and Demetrius to make fun of her.
What is the main storyline of midsummer night dream?
The main storyline concerns the young people Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius and Helena. Hermia and Lysander are lovers, but Demetrius wants to marry Hermia too, and has Hermia's father and the law on his side. Helena used to be Demetrius's girlfriend, but he dumped her to chase after Hermia. To escape the law, Lysander and Hermia plan to fly the country through the wood next to town, and Helena and Demetrius follow. Due to the unexpected interference of various fairies in the wood, Lysander is magicked into loving Helena, then Demetrius is magicked into loving her also. The spell on Lysander is reversed so he goes back to loving Hermia, and they are found and invited to return to the city and to marry each other, Lysander marrying Hermia and Demetrius marrying Helena.
Did Hermia tell Helena that she was running away with Lysander or did Helena overhear the conversation between Hermia and Lysander?
Hermia told her. "Take comfort. He [Demetrius] no more shall see my face. Lysander and myself shall fly this place." Lysander tells her as well. "Helen, to you our minds we will unfold."
Who are the lovers in Shakespeares A Midsummer Night's Dream?
At the beginning they are: Lysander and Hermia Hippolyta and Theseus A one sided love between Helena and Demetrius. (On Helena's part) At the end they are: Lysander and Hermia Hippolyta and Theseus Helena and Demetrius
Compare and contrast lysander and demetrius?
Demetrius - Is a young nobleman of Athens. In the past, Demetrius acted as if he loved Helena, but after Helena fell in love with him, he changed his mind and pursued Hermia. Emboldened by Egeus's approval of him, Demetrius is undeterred by the fact that Hermia does not want him. Lysander- Is a young nobleman of Athens in love with Hermia. Although Hermia's father refuses to let her marry Lysander, Lysander believes that love must conquer all obstacles, so he persuades Hermia to run away from her home and family with him, into the forest.
How close had hermia and Helena had been in the past?
hermia and Helena are friends. but Helena gets jealous of hermia because hermia gets the love of both lysander and demetrius, the guy she loves.
Who loves who in midsummer nights dream?
Demetruis > HermiaHermia >< LysanderHelena > DemetruisAfter the spell is set cast:Hermia > LysanderLysander > HelenaHelena > DemetruisFrom weirdo Somebody
Why does helenna tell demetrius about hermia and lysanders plan?
Helena tells Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander's plan to elope because she hopes that by revealing this information, Demetrius will love her instead of Hermia. Helena is desperate for Demetrius's affection and believes that her loyalty to him will make him realize her feelings for him.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream who does Helena marry?
Helena marries Demetrius at the end of the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This marriage occurs after Puck uses magic to correct the love triangle between Helena, Demetrius, Hermia, and Lysander.
