Who Helena is
Helena is a young woman from Athens whose love for Demetrius draws her into the fairy wood. He once courts her, but now ignores her and pursues her friend Hermia instead.
What Helena wants
Helena wants to regain Demetrius's attention, even though he treats her cruelly when she follows him. When Hermia shares her plan to escape with Lysander, Helena tells Demetrius where the lovers intend to go. She hopes he will follow Hermia, giving her a chance to follow him.
How Helena changes
In the wood, Helena's experience of rejection shapes how she understands the sudden attention she receives. Puck mistakenly puts the flower's juice on Lysander's eyes, and he falls in love with Helena when she wakes him. She thinks he is mocking her, and her suspicion deepens when Demetrius also declares his love under the flower's influence. Hermia feels betrayed, and the friendship between the two women gives way to accusations and anger.
Best-known lines
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”
“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Questions
Who does Helena love?
Helena loves Demetrius, who once courted her but now wants Hermia.
Why does Helena reveal Hermia's plan?
She hopes telling Demetrius will win his attention and lead him into the wood, where she can follow him.
Why does Helena think the men mock her?
Repeated rejection makes Helena distrust their sudden declarations of love. She believes her friends are teasing her rather than taking her feelings seriously.