Shakespeare loves to create intricate plots that include mix-ups and misunderstandings. What are three character traits of Puck in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream ? Instead, she chooses a course of her own and risks adventure in a magical wood. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. "Call you me “fair”? 5 chapters | Act 1, scene 1. He uses his quick wit to  make fun of Demetrius but it's obvious he loves Hermia and would do anything for her. Before Lysander and Demetrius kill each other over Helena, all four young people fall asleep exhausted, and when they wake up, Lysander loves Hermia and Demetrius loves Helena. She will keep her word. © 2020 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. True, he hath my love, And what is mine my love shall render him; And she is mine, and all my right of her I do estate unto Demetrius"  (1.1.95-98). Hermia’s strength is most evident in the opening scene, where she faces … Onomatopoeia in Literature: Definition & Examples, Quiz & Worksheet - Hermia from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Over 79,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, What is a Stanza in Poetry? Everyone says that Hermia is beautiful even Demetrius; who Helena has fallen in love with.Helena is very self conscience that she says that if Hermia's beauty was a sickness she would want to catch it. Hermia voices a strong oath. They will meet in the woods and then flee far from Athens, from Theseus' law, from her father's stubborn choice of a husband. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. He no more shall see my face. | 1 He no more shall see my face. What Do I Do Now? . Already registered? Select a subject to preview related courses: Here, Hermia swears on the unbreakable love of Cupid's bow, by Venus' gentle doves, and by the fire in which Dido Queen of Carthage burned in the Aeneid - by these great gods and a heroine - and, strangely, by the great number of vows Hermia considers men to have broken compared to women, that she will keep her promise and meet Lysander the following day. "Scornful Lysander! Although the stories are separate, they overlap with each other. Each monologue is written in iambic pentameter, as is customary in Shakespearean plays. When Theseus argues in her father's favor that "Demetrius is a worthy gentleman," Hermia boldly retorts, "So is Lysander" (I.i.53, 54). In A Midsummer Night's Dream, why are Oberon and Titania fighting over an Indian boy? Create your own unique website with customizable templates. We see her demonstrate this trait in a couple of different places. Character analysis Question They escape into a magical wood, but Demetrius and Hermia's friend Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, follow after them. Critics have always understood the phrase "you puppet you" to be an insult directed at Hermia's height. The timeline below shows where the character Hermia appears in A Midsummer Night's Dream. That “fair” again unsay. Theseus, the king, makes it clear: obey your father, become a nun, or die. (III.ii.298). .vile thing, let loose' (3.2), calling her rude names, such as dwarf, minimus, and acorn. Services. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. She and Lysander are deeply in love. If she remains single, she must become a nun. As poor Hermia and Lysander sleep, the king of the fairies, Oberon, instructs his mischievous servant, Puck, to put a love potion in Demetrius' eyes. Character: Quotation: Traits: Description: Hermia "Take comfort. succeed. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Marriage is difficult, at times, and starting out without her father's approval and, as a fugitive, would have placed incredible pressure on these newlyweds. He knows Egeus approves of him, and he intends to marry Hermia whether she likes it or not. 120 lessons Create an account to start this course today. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. One of her best monologues in scene one reads: 'My good Lysander!I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow,By his best arrow with the golden head,By the simplicity of Venus' doves,By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen,When the false Troyan under sail was seen,By all the vows that ever men have broke,In number more than ever women spoke,In that same place thou hast appointed me,To-morrow truly will I meet with thee' (1.1). Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal If Hermia disobeys her father, she will receive the death penalty. How miserable Hermia must feel. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. We see Helena insult Hermia when she refers to her as a "puppet," as we see in her line, "Fie, fie! She is able to preserve what she perceives as virtuous.A second character trait of Hermia's is that, of the two Athenian women, Hermia is more levelheaded. Through various scenes and short monologues, we learn about Hermia's various character traits and how she acts in different scenes with her father, suitor, best friend, and future husband. A man named Demetrius asks Hermia’s father, Egeus, for her hand in marriage. All rights reserved. Saylor.org Student Diary: First Impressions of Shakespeare Online, Tomorrow 'Tis Talk Like Shakespeare Day, Methinks, Get Into Shakespeare: 10 Top Shakespeare Blogs, Saylor.org Student Diary: Tragedy - Print, Not IRL, Saylor.org Student Diary: Doing Things My Way. Get access risk-free for 30 days, He takes pity on poor Helena who, unfortunately, is throwing herself at the disdainful Demetrius, who only has eyes for Hermia. 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How and why does Puck change Bottom, how is this transformation appropriate, and what happens... What does "And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays" mean. - Examples, Definition & Types, Allusion and Illusion: Definitions and Examples, Shakespeare's Sonnet 18: Summary, Theme & Analysis, Analyzing American Poetry: Terms and Examples, Scansion in Poetry: Definition & Examples, Sestina: Definition, Format & Poem Examples, Biological and Biomedical - Definition & Examples, Symbolism & Imagery in Literature: Definitions & Examples, Similes in Literature: Definition and Examples, What is a Metaphor? Lysander is desperate to have Hermias love because he is in love with her. (II.ii.58-60). Suddenly, both Lysander and Demetrius pursue Helena through the woods. What are the personality traits of the characters in A Midsummer Nights Dream by William... What are some of Bottom's personality traits that we see in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's... What are some examples of Hermia's character traits from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream? Helena is so insecure of her own body and looks she wants to look like Helena. Hermia is afraid. His triumph in A Midsummer Night's Dream is his ability to weave three stories into one. starTop subjects are Literature, History, and Social Sciences. Helena, however, believes they are joking with her and even believes Hermia to be in on the prank. Hermia's ability to defend her perspective in front of anyone who has as much authority as Duke Theseus proves that she is very self-assertive and independently minded. Imagine Hermia's confusion! This turns out for her benefit. just create an account. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. However, the magical, wild world of the woods intervenes. Only Hermia, beautiful, desirable, and young, loves another: Lysander. This is important to note because Puck accidentally places the potion in Lysander's eyes. Hermia is again compelled to fight for her love and is willing to fight her friend: “Let me come to her” (Act 3, Scene 2). Because Hermia does not return accusation for accusation or insult for insult, it shows us that she is more levelheaded than Helena. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. First, she has enough gall to even assert her opinion before Duke Theseus. Hermia deeply trusts her friend, and that friend betrays her trust. Are Parent-Taught Pandemic Pods a Good Low-Cost Education Alternative? Demetrius is determined and smug. Hermia often delivers short monologues as she attempts to work through all these events and her corresponding emotions, vowing to stay true to her love and herself. Study.com has thousands of articles about every Thus, Hermia's tragic situation - having to choose a loveless marriage, death, or a nunnery - is impacted by a world of fairies and their magic. Hermia delivers short monologues throughout the play, and most of what she says is in the woods, as she attempts to work out her fears and confusion. One of Hermia's personality traits is that she is very self-assertive; she is strong and very independently minded, lacking any fear of expressing her opinion. At various points throughout Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hermia is a fearful, hopeful, bewildered, and joyful character. Hermia's joy is restored. When they lie down for the night, Hermia is very careful to be protective of her chastity and commands Lysander to lie farther away from her.