Hang in There!
Helena's Playlist
Theme: Jealousy is very painful, but everything will be okay.
This playlist is a collection of songs that Helena might relate to at times during the play.
Track One: "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift
That I'm the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can't you see--
You belong with me."
When A Midsummer Night's Dream begins, Demetrius wants to marry Hermia, but Helena loves Demetrius. Helena might listen to this song in her room, stewing over the fact that Demetrius loves Hermia and thinking about how perfect she and Demetrius would be together. "Been here all along" would ring true to her because Demetrius courted her before he fell in love with Hermia, so she really was always there. The lyrics of this song would be directed toward Demetrius, of course. This song does not advance her interpretation of the theme; it provides a basis for advancement. At this point, Helena is a little bit jealous, but mostly just longing for Demetrius to love her back.
Track Two: "Hopelessly Devoted to You" By Olivia Newton-John
"You know, I'm just a fool who's willing
To sit around and wait for you
But baby, can't you see
There's nothing else for me to do?
I'm hopelessly devoted to you
But now there's nowhere to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I'm out of my head
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you"
This song expresses just how in love Helena is with Demetrius. She would follow him anywhere, and her love is almost unconditional. She might listen to this song after seeing Demetrius flirting with Hermia, mourning in her room. At this point, Helena is still not so much jealous as overwhelmed by her love for Demetrius. Helena could probably especially relate to "Since you pushed my love aside" because Demetrius brushed her away after they dated.
Track Three: "Jealousy" by Selena Gomez
Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy"
Helena might listen to this song after the conversation with Hermia, where she just about admits that she is terribly jealous of Hermia's beauty. She could be sitting in her room and thinking about what she would do to be as lovely as Hermia. These sentiments are really directed at Helena herself. She is thinking about her feelings and realizing that she really is jealous and that it is a horrible feeling.
Track Four: "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" By Backstreet Boys
I have no place to go
Surrender my heart, body, and soul"
This song applies to Helena's feelings right after the point when she talks to Demetrius in the woods. He openly insults her. tells her he hates her and leaves her stranded in the woods. While she is lying there in the woods, she is angry, hurt, and despairing, and she would love nothing more then to confide in a close friend: "There's nowhere to run; I have no place to go; Surrender my heart, body, and soul". She might talk to Hermia about this, since the two of them were close friends. This song further advances Helena's opinion about the awfulness and pain that jealousy involves. She isn't angry yet, just really sad and dejected.
Track Five: "I Hate Everything About You" By Three Days Grace
Why do I love you?"
Helena would listen to this song right after listening to the previous one. She is a little bit angry at the way Demetrius treated her, and maybe questioning her love for him a just a bit. She knows she still loves him- that won't change anytime soon, but she is wondering why she loves him. After all, he treats her horribly. The sentiments Helena might feel when listening to this song- anger, sadness, confusion- would definitely be directed towards Demetrius.
Track Six: "I'm So Sick" By Flyleaf
"Hear it, I'm screaming it
You're heeding to it now"
Track Seven: "Stand in the Rain" By Superchick
"So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, whats lost can be found
You stand in the rain"
Track Eight: "Tomorrow" from "Annie"
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
Till there's none!"
When Helena figures out that Demetrius really does love her, she is excited and overjoyed, but she is still shaken and wiping her tears away. This song works as an expression of her happiness, and as a way of helping her to "Clear away the cobwebs, And the sorrow Till there's none!" Again, the feelings in this song are directed at herself. However, the sentiments could also be expressions of the way she feels towards Demetrius. Helena is finally figuring out that everything is definitely going to be okay.
Track Nine: "Everything has Changed" by Taylor Swift
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time,
Taking flight, making me feel right"
Helena might listen to this song as she is getting happier and happier about the love that she and Demetrius share. She would express this to Demetrius; using the above lyrics to tell him how excited she feels, how right about their relationship. This song could also serve to continue to reassure her about the truth of this new development in her love life. She knows now that everything isn't just going to be great, it is going to be amazing.
Track 10: "It's a Beautiful Day" By Michael Buble
It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling"
This song could express the way Helena feels after she and Demetrius inform the Duke, Theseus, of their new found love and make plans to celebrate at a feast. She feels like soaring and she has to tell everybody- these sentiments are directed at anyone who will listen. Life is finally everything she always wanted it to be. She and Demetrius are happy and in love, and she and Hermia can be best friends again. The lyrics and the tempo are upbeat and perfectly express Helena's happiness. Now, Helena finally knows how she feels about this journey that she has taken, and she can say that without doubt, "Jealousy is very painful, but everything will be okay."