Why does Helena tell Demetrius that Hermia and Lysander were running away?

Answer 1

Demetrius and Lysander both love Hermia. Helena loves Demetrius. Helena tells Demetrius about Hermia leaving with Lysander because she thinks it'll make him love her instead of the woman that ran away with another man.

Answer 2

"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.

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

so she can get Demetrius in the forest alone together

Answer 5

Probably to cheer her up. If Hermia is out of the way, maybe Demetrius will settle for her.