Helena Monolouge – a Midsummer-Night’s Dream
Join now to read essay Helena Monolouge – a Midsummer-Night’s Dream
Created excrpt from Shakespeares A Midsummer-nights Dream in the character of Helena.
(right after Demetrius and Lysander have told her they were in love with her)
Oh, how did these things come to pass?
I have grown used to Demetrius treating me with ill manner, but not Lysander.
Why, he himself told me that he and Hermia were to escape through this very forest so that they could proclaim their love and, without the peril of Athenian law, be wed. And still, he and Demetrius, who hath voiced many a time his extreme hatred for me claim that I hold both their hearts? Oh what wicked trickery they play on me. And Hermia?! Since childhood have we known each other. Why we have been the best of friends since birth. And still she takes part in this charade saying I have taken Lysander’s love from her. If she were to step back one moment from this devilish game she is playing, she would recall that it was she who stole Demetrius from my arms. Oh, how he loves her. Hermia, with her eyes, bluer than forget-me-nots on the first day of spring, her lips, softer than an autumn breeze, her hair darker than the night sky. She is an enchantress, and Demetrius folds under her every spell. Oh, if only I could learn such charms. If only my face, my words, my actions, could make Demetrius dote upon me as I do upon him. But he does not love me. No, I cannot break his heart of stone. With each passing day he doth loathe me more. And yet, with each new moon my heart grows fonder; my feelings not in return. Demetrius’ heart belongs to fair Hermia. Fair, fair Hermia. That is why he loves her. She is a beauty, a goddess. And I? I am a bear! Creatures run before me, Demetrius is sickened by the mere thought of me! Oh if only I had Hermia’s beauty. If for only one day I could be to Hermia translated. I would have her looks, her eyes, her voice. I would have Demetrius’ love. And for that sole day. That Heavenly occasion: Demetrius would love I, Helena, as it should be.
But he