0
What is the comparison between Lysander and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Many people think they are so alike you cannot tell them apart, but there is a difference. Without the assistance of the love flower, Lysander is a true lover, and a very considerate one. He does not take advantage of Hermia when they are alone in the woods. He is prepared to sacrifice his life in Athens to exile himself with Hermia. Demetrius is more changeable. He has dumped Helena so as to have a chance with Hermia, even though he knows Hermia does not love him. He is quite happy to go along with Egeus's plan to force Hermia into marrying him. He threatens to rape Helena when they are alone in the woods, and only desists when she says that it won't be rape because she will be consenting.
During the Pyramus and Thisbe play, poor Starveling gets heckled right out of his text by guess who? Demetrius, aided and abetted by Theseus. All Starveling had to say was "horned moon" and away Demetrius went with the dirty joke. Lysander does not take part in the heckling and encourages Starveling, saying "Proceed, moon". Lysander is much kinder; Demetrius is rather mean.
Indeed it appears that Shakespeare, in drawing the characters of Demetrius and Helena, was portraying an abusive relationship. Helena is a person of low self-esteem ("I am as ugly as a bear") who feels that she deserves, unworthy as she is, to be mistreated by her lover ("I am your spaniel.") Demetrius is unfortunately one of those weak and cruel men who is happy to oblige.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What do Robin and Oberon do to delay the duel between Lysander and Demetrius?
Oberon instructs Puck to create a fog so the young men will not be able to see each other. Then Puck (who is also called Robin Goodfellow) is to imitate the voices of Lysander and Demetrius to lure them away from each other. We see that Puck is successful and the duel is avoided.
What is conflict in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
There are a number of conflicts which drive the play. There is a conflict between Hermia and Lysander on the one hand and Egeus and Demetrius on the other over who should marry Hermia (and who should decide). Theseus' answer to Hermia causes friction with Hippolyta in many productions. As the lovers' plot develops, conflict erupts between Hermia and Helena. The play starts also with conflict between Titania and Oberon over the Indian boy.
What is lysanders argument to convince egeus in order to marry his daughter?
He argues that in terms of wealth or status there is not much to choose between Demetrius and himself, but that Lysander has something which should override any differences if there are any, and that is Hermia's love.
Why has egeus brought his daughter and two suitors to theseus?
Egeus is angry because Hermia refuses to obey his wishes on who she should marry. He has arranged a marriage between Demetrius and Hermia, but Hermia is not cooperating because she is in love with Lysander. It can also be argued that Egeus is angry not simply because of her disobedience, but also because she has actually fallen in love with someone else.
What causes Helena to become angry with Hermia?
One Answer:Physically, Helena is tall and blonde and Hermia is short and dark. Hermia is optimistic and upbeat. She has confidence in Lysander and his love for her. She has a difficult time being persuaded that Lysander is more interested in Helena than in her. Once this sinks in, her reaction is to get mad at Helena for taking him away. Helena, on the other hand, has no self-esteem at all. She invites Demetrius to beat her and treat her like a dog ("I am your spaniel"). When Lysander and Demetrius say they love her she will not believe them, because she cannot believe that anyone could love her. "I am as ugly as a bear" she says. The contrast between bouncy, confident Hermia and whiny, self-effacing Helena couldn't be greater. Another Answer:I'd honestly say that there isn't much difference between them. Some Shakespeare analysts look at a Midsummer Night's Dream as an example of a story with no psychologically realistic characters. The idea that characters need to act like real people is more of 20th century notion. In other words, a Midsummer Night's Dream is more focused on Shakespeare's ideas of dreams vs. reality rather than a study of characters. The fact is, Hermia and Helena, Lysander and Demetrius, they're not all that different from each other! Apart from their names and who they like in the beginning, we could not tell them apart from their speech or dialogue. They have no personality or will power of their own, which is why they are almost always controlled by the love potion that puck sprinkles in their eyes.In the first act, Helena is the jealous one because both men love Hermia. Later on, (not sure if it's the second act or not) Hermia is the jealous one, suggesting that the only thing that separates her from her sisterly double, Helena, is the fact that she was not in Helena's shoes. Lysander loved her so she didn't act jealous. But the moment the two men switched to Helena, she acted the same way. This shows that they are kind of the same person.That's just one way of looking it but I'm sure you could find critics who disagree.
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
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.
What is the climax story of midsummer?
The climax of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" occurs when the four lovers - Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena - are found in the forest by Theseus and Hippolyta. The misunderstandings and confusion between them are revealed, leading to their love interests being resolved.
What happens between Helena and Lysander in the woods in a midsummer's night dream?
In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Helena chases after Lysander in the woods, believing he is mocking her. Lysander, under a spell by Puck, professes his love for Helena instead of Hermia, causing confusion and chaos among the lovers.
Whose wedding is being anticipated in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
A Midsummer Nights Dream takes place in the city of Athens, where king Theseus is getting ready to marry Hippolyta - the queen of the Amazons - who is a prisoner of war. Theseus is clearly very excited about the marriage. We never really find out how Hippolyta feels about it.
What is the main conflict in A Midsummer Night's Dream in act 1?
The main conflict in Act 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream is the forbidden love between Hermia and Lysander, who wish to marry against Hermia's father's wishes. Hermia's father wants her to marry Demetrius, who is also in love with Hermia. This conflict sets the stage for the chaos that ensues when the lovers enter the forest.
Which characters exchange these lines and in what order in Act I Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream I frown up him yet he loves me still o that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill?
These lines are exchanged between Hermia and Helena in Act I Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hermia expresses her frustration that her frowns don't deter Lysander's love for her, while Helena wishes she could learn how to smile as effectively as Hermia to win Demetrius' affection.
What is the relationship between egeus and hermia?
Egeus is Hermia's father in Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Their relationship is strained because Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, while Hermia is in love with Lysander. This conflict drives much of the plot of the play.
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 breaks up in A Midsummer Night's Dream summary?
In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," several couples experience tumultuous relationships: Hermia's father wants her to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander, causing discord between the couples. Additionally, Oberon and Titania's marriage is strained due to a conflict over a changeling boy. However, by the end of the play, the couples are reunited and harmony is restored.
How the dreams in A Midsummer Night's Dream influence Helena and demetrius?
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, the dreams influence Helena and Demetrius by causing turmoil in their romantic relationships. After Puck's mistake with the love potion, Demetrius falls in love with Helena, and this creates confusion and jealousy between them. The dreams serve as a catalyst for the comedy and chaos that ensues in the play.
What are some examples of love in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Some examples of love in A Midsummer Night's Dream include the love triangle between Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius, Titania's infatuation with Bottom after being enchanted by Puck, and the love between Theseus and Hippolyta. Additionally, the reconciliation of the mischievous Puck and the fairy queen Titania also demonstrates love and forgiveness.
