Helena's Faith is her Downfall
Helena's Favorite Songs for a Broken Heart
THEME: Honesty is usually lacking in love.
The songs below are songs that often reflect what Helena is learning about the theme, and just as importantly embody her feelings. These are the songs that Helena connected to and listened to in this trying time. We're going to start at the beginning, before AMND begins, when Demetrius dumps Helena.
Song One: Our Last Night by Better Than Erza
This song sticks out to Helena because of how close it resembles her break-up with Demetrius. Demetrius was always showering her with praise, saying he'd always love her. Now, she knows that wasn't totally true, and that's why the entire song, and particularly the line above, sticks out to Helena. This experience is planting the seeds for her understanding of the theme: her shock is still blinding her to the true nature of the theme. And the music supplements her feelings too: the harsh tones give a slight accusatory feel to the song, perfect for the broken-hearted Helena.
Song Two: Do You want to Build a Snowman by Disney
"... We used to be best buddies, and now we're not...."
Song Three: I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift
Helena is mad now. Really mad. Now she has realized that Demetrius has his eye on Hermia, and is about to marry her. She realizes that honestly, she was never anything really special for Demetrius - just "A new notch on your belt". She realized that really, everything Demetrius said was a lie - there was nor real love - no honesty. She is accepting of the lack of honesty in love and has acknowledged it. The power and harshness of the chords are symbolic of the rage Helena feels right now.
Song Four: Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Once again, this song is really a full embodiment of Helena's understanding of the theme and the feelings she is faced with right now. She's going through the point that she feels that things would have been better for Demetrius if he had been honest, if he had loved her forevermore, which is why the line above sticks out. She realizes he doesn't but feels at least that Demetrius is losing out as well and that she feels, for the time being, that the liar also loses out because of the lack of honesty in love - not just the victim. The song also embodies the tone of anger and revenge Helena has, how she wants Demetrius but would also love to watch him crash to the ground and burn. Adele's sharp, piercing tones are perfect for stabs of anguish and hate Helena feels.
Song Five: Clarity by Zedd ft. Foxes
Helena, at this point, chasing Demetrius into the forest, of course knows that Demetrius was never honest. But now she understands that if she did get what she want, she and Demetrius became a couple, there would always be pain for her because of the lack of honesty. This doesn't deter her her from wanting Demetrius though - which is why the line above means so much for Helena. She needs him, but she acknowledges it will be awful for her as well. The explosive and conflicting music represents the odd feelings she has at this moment.
Song 6: Somebody That I used Know by Gotye ft. Kimba
"...But you treat me like stranger and that feel so rough..."
Helena is chasing Demetrius into the forest, and Demetrius is treating her awfully, and like a stranger. This is why this song, especially the lines above, really relate to Helena. This song really coins exactly how she feels. Demetrius leaving her was one thing; but Demetrius just acting as if he doesn't know her is on a completely different level. She's kind of on a last resort - she knows there is no honesty left for her in love, but she's praying that she can get a tad of what she wants, in friendship though. She recognizes that while she can't get on honesty in her love, she might at least be able to have Demetrius as a friend, honest and true. Or, as she realizes, not. The slow, mellow, simple beat of this music calms Helena as she goes through this, and is also similar to the sadness she is experiencing inside.
Song Seven: You Should Know Better Than That by Andy Grammer
Helena has been abandoned by Demetrius in the Athenian forest. She has woken up, and to her surprise, Demetrius is now head over heels in love for her. Helena has learned the hard-way that there is often no honesty in love, and she is not about to forget. Also, at the same time, she's annoyed that Demetrius would even try to pretend to love her, him knowing the pain Helena has gone through. But more important than her anger is her solid acceptance of the theme: the song says "...I've not forgotten yet..." and Helena truly connects with that line - she hasn't forgotten all the broken promises. But really, above that, she is moved by the above line. She can't believe what she is being told, because she knows how often there is no honesty in love. She also recognizes that she has learned this: she knows there is a reason why she is "second-guessing" the person she loves.
Song Eight: Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
"...Don't listen to a word I say..."
Song Nine: Love Story by Taylor Swift
This song is for Helena, the best song to listen to at the moment that she decides to marry Demetrius. She has forgotten everything that she has learned, and has decided that Demetrius does really love her, though she is really confused, having just gone through a strange experience. That's why the line above means so much to her - she just doesn't know anymore. Her mind in a way, tells her not to believe Demetrius, but having forgotten the lesson she learned about the lack of honesty in love, she believes him. The strong and powerful chords are perfect for the excited state she's in.
Song Ten: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
Now, Helena is confident in her love. She has married him, and thinks he will love her forevermore. She thinks there is often honesty in love, contrary to what she learned earlier. The line above sticks out to Helena because she know believes that she is getting a full commitment from Demetrius. She is happy and content, and this joyful song reflects her move. Hopefully Helena has the right idea about honesty and love.