In Act 1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Helena laments the unrequited love she feels for Demetrius, who is infatuated with her friend Hermia.

Title of Monologue:

Helena's Lament on Unrequited Love

Synopsis:

Helena reflects on the nature of love and its irrationality, expressing envy towards Hermia and frustration over Demetrius's rejection. She decides to inform Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan to elope, hoping it will bring her closer to him.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Hermia and Lysander have confided in Helena about their plan to flee Athens and marry in secret. Left alone, Helena contemplates her own situation and resolves to use this information to gain favor with Demetrius.

Original Text:

HELENA:

How happy some o'er other some can be!

Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.

But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so.

He will not know what all but he do know.

And as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes,

So I, admiring of his qualities.

Things base and vile, holding no quantity,

Love can transpose to form and dignity.

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste—

Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.

And therefore is Love said to be a child,

Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.

As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,

So the boy Love is perjured everywhere.

For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne,

He hailed down oaths that he was only mine.

And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,

So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt.

I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight.

Then to the wood will he tomorrow night

Pursue her. And for this intelligence

If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.

But herein mean I to enrich my pain,

To have his sight thither and back again.

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

HELENA:

How happy some people can be compared to others! Throughout Athens, I'm considered as beautiful as Hermia. But what does that matter? Demetrius doesn't think so; he refuses to see what everyone else knows. Just as he makes a mistake by doting on Hermia's eyes, I make the same mistake by admiring his qualities. Love can make worthless things seem valuable. Love doesn't see with the eyes but with the mind, which is why Cupid is depicted as blind. Love's mind lacks judgment; its wings and blindness symbolize reckless haste. That's why love is said to be a child, because it often makes poor choices. Just as mischievous boys lie in games, the boy Love breaks his promises everywhere. Before Demetrius looked into Hermia's eyes, he swore he was only mine; but when he felt some warmth from Hermia, his oaths melted away. I'll go tell him of fair Hermia's flight; then tomorrow night he'll pursue her into the woods. If he thanks me for this information, it will be worth the pain. But I intend to enrich my sorrow by seeing him go there and back again.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

• O'er: Over.

• Some o'er other some: Some over others.

• Eyne: Eyes.

• Transpose: Transform.

• Wing'd Cupid: The Roman god of love, often depicted with wings.

• Unheedy haste: Reckless speed.

• Beguiled: Deceived.

• Waggish: Mischievous.

• Forswear: Perjure; swear falsely.

• Perjured: Guilty of breaking oaths.

• Hail'd down oaths: Made numerous promises.

• Dear expense: Costly effort.

• Enrich my pain: Intensify my sorrow.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

1. Envy and Self-Comparison:
   How happy some o'er other some can be!
   Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
   But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
   He will not know what all but he do know.
   Helena expresses envy towards Hermia's happiness and laments that, despite being considered equally beautiful by others in Athens, Demetrius does not acknowledge her attractiveness.

2. Love's Transformative Power and Blindness:
   And as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes,
   So I, admiring of his qualities.
   Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
   Love can transpose to form and dignity.
   Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
   And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind.
   Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste;
   Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
   And therefore is Love said to be a child,
   Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.
   She reflects on the irrational nature of love, noting that it can make unattractive things appear beautiful and that it is guided by the mind rather than the eyes, leading to poor judgment.

3. Demetrius's Fickleness:
   As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,
   So the boy Love is perjured everywhere.
   For ere Demetrius look'd on Hermia's eyne,
   He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine;
   And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
   So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt.
   Helena compares love's inconstancy to mischievous boys who break their promises, recalling how Demetrius's vows to her melted away once he became attracted to Hermia.

4. Decision to Inform Demetrius:
   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.
   But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
   To have his sight thither and back again.
   She resolves to inform Demetrius of Hermia's plan to elope, hoping that by doing so, she will have the opportunity to see him, even if it causes her pain.

Journey Keypoints:

• Hook: Helena's envy of Hermia's happiness and her own unrequited love for Demetrius.

• Turning Point: Her reflection on the irrationality and blindness of love.

• Climax: Recognition of Demetrius's fickleness and broken promises.

• Resolution: Decision to betray Hermia's confidence in hopes of gaining Demetrius's attention.

This monologue delves into Helena's inner turmoil, highlighting her jealousy, self-doubt, and desperate longing for Demetrius's affection, which drives her to betray her friend's trust.