An Overview of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Uploaded by jamie83 on Jan 13, 2012
In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" the mortal teenage
characters fall in love foolishly, and the character Bottom states, "O
what fools these mortals be". They are foolish because they act like
children. Although Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena appear
grown-up, when they are in love they act foolishly. The four teenage
lovers are fools.
Demetrius is a fool because he is unaware that his love changes
through out the play. At the start of the play Demetrius does not love
Helena. (II ii,line 188) Demetrius says, "I love thee not, therefore
pursue me not." (II ii,line 194) "Hence, get thee gone, and follow me
no more." In III ii, Demetrius after being juiced begins to love
Helena. (III ii,line 169-173) 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 now to Helen is it home
returned, There to remain." This proves he is a fool, because he is
not aware of his changing love for Helena.
Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but she
still persists in chasing him. Demetrius shows no love for Helena.
(II i,line 227-228) Demetrius says, "I'll run from thee, and hide me
in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts."
(II i,line 199-201) "Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather
do I not in 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. (II i,line 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." (II i,line 220-222) "Your virtue is
my privilege. For that It is not night when I do see your face,
Therefore I think I am not in the night;" This proves that Helena is a
fool because Demetrius does not love her, but she still persists.
Lysander is a fool because he persuades Hermia to avoid death and
run away with him. Hermia must marry Demetrius or she will be put to
death. (I i,line 83-88) Theseus says, "Take time to pause, and, by the
next new moon- The sealing-day betwixt my...