Helena's 'Love Is Blind'
Helena’s heart is damaged from him, and this hurt is driving all her emotions and decisions. If Hermia was not in love with Demetrius, she would not have felt the need to betray her best friend or put herself in danger.
Symbol 2: Theme connection (Love is blind)
One key theme in the story is “love is blind”. The fact that you cannot choose who you love is clearly shown by Helena’s unreciprocated love for Demetrius. In her soliloquy Helena explains, “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind/And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind” (1.1.234-235). Love isn’t something you can decide. Lust is driven by attraction with the eyes and love is having a deeper emotional connection with someone. Love is irrational, it causes you to make choices you may not have otherwise made. Love is blind and makes you see past people's flaws and appearances. Even when Demetrius shoots her down, Helena …show more content…
Sickness is catching: Oh, were favor so,
Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go!
My ear should catch your voice, my eye, your eye,
My tongue should catch your tongue’s sweet melody” (1.1.180-189).
Helena is always in her own head. All Hermia asked was “Hey pretty Helena, how are you?” and Helena responds with an aggressive mean rant. She turned a kind and positive interaction into a rant about how she isn't as pretty as Hermia. Instead of listening to the complement, she focuses on the worst. Similarly, when Hermia tries to explain to Helena that it is not her fault that Demetrius loves her, Helena doesn't listen and once again flips the conversation. “HERMIA. I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.
HELENA. Oh, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!
HERMIA. I give him curses, yet he gives me love.
HELENA. Oh, that my prayers could such affection move!
HERMIA. The more I hate, the more he follows me.
HELENA. The more I love, the more he hateth me”
Symbol 2: Theme connection (Love is blind)
One key theme in the story is “love is blind”. The fact that you cannot choose who you love is clearly shown by Helena’s unreciprocated love for Demetrius. In her soliloquy Helena explains, “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind/And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind” (1.1.234-235). Love isn’t something you can decide. Lust is driven by attraction with the eyes and love is having a deeper emotional connection with someone. Love is irrational, it causes you to make choices you may not have otherwise made. Love is blind and makes you see past people's flaws and appearances. Even when Demetrius shoots her down, Helena …show more content…
Sickness is catching: Oh, were favor so,
Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go!
My ear should catch your voice, my eye, your eye,
My tongue should catch your tongue’s sweet melody” (1.1.180-189).
Helena is always in her own head. All Hermia asked was “Hey pretty Helena, how are you?” and Helena responds with an aggressive mean rant. She turned a kind and positive interaction into a rant about how she isn't as pretty as Hermia. Instead of listening to the complement, she focuses on the worst. Similarly, when Hermia tries to explain to Helena that it is not her fault that Demetrius loves her, Helena doesn't listen and once again flips the conversation. “HERMIA. I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.
HELENA. Oh, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!
HERMIA. I give him curses, yet he gives me love.
HELENA. Oh, that my prayers could such affection move!
HERMIA. The more I hate, the more he follows me.
HELENA. The more I love, the more he hateth me”