Helena's Obsession
by Jenna Sims
In A Midsummer's Night Dream, Helena displays that people's emotions usually control how they act. It is clear that her love for Demetrius controls her and causes her to do irrational things, such as spill secrets to him and follow him into the woods. Helena reveals this when she says " I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight: Then to the wood will he to-morrow night. Pursue her; and for this intelligence, If I have thanks, it is a dear expense " (I.I.2). This shows the strenuous tasks she goes through just because of her love for Demetrius, as this is something she would clearly not do if she had no feelings for him. Through this I discovered that Helena has a very passionate infatuation with Demetrius, that shows how obsessive and borderline psychotic she is.
Throughout the play, Helena's actions thoroughly affect the plot of the story. If it wasn't for the several eradic actions, much of the play would have been diverted to a completely different outcome. Helena shows this when she says, "Can you not hate me, as I know you do, but you must join in souls to mock me too?" (III.II.12) This shows how her not believing of Demetrius's and Lysander's new love for her causes a conflict, and therefore causing her actions to affect parts of the story. This also shows that Helena is very self conscious, as she does not believe that anyone could love her.
In the play, Helena demonstrates that love is the most powerful emotion we feel. Helena experiences a lot because of her love for Demetrius. Helena reveals this when she states, " O, teach me how you look, and with what art you sway the motion of Demetrius' heart. " (I.I.1) Helena shows that it causes her a lot of pain to be in love. It causes a lot of her actions and controls her life almost. It is clearly powerful if it can cause such chaos. It also shows that Helena is a weak person because she lets herself become so consumed by her love for Demetrius.
I am similar to Helena because my emotions also control how I act. I also affect other's with my actions. A difference between Helena and me is that she is weak. Also, she lets boys control her actions and emotions, which is something I would never let happen.