Helena
The beautiful young woman of Athens is seeking unrequited love from Demetrius. This passionate character never seems to get what she deserves as she desperately needs someone to love her. Jealous of Demetrius's love for Hermia, she plots to spoil the plans of Hermia and Lysander who want to run away into the forest and elope. She sets out to win Demetrius's love back by telling him of their plans.
Once in the forest, we are able to truly unveil the insecurities that Helena drowns herself in. She constantly refers to herself as being useless and ugly through animal imagery, “I am as ugly as a bear”. It isn't until the love potion is wrongly used that Helena questions herself further by worrying about her appearance and believing that she is being mocked by Lysander as he declares his love for her. But, even when the spell is corrected and Demetrius declares his love for her, Helena is still scared.
Her character comes across quite desperate at times and this can be particularly evident in her portrayal in the movie. She also constantly question her beauty as can be seen in the beginning of the play when Hermia says "Godspeed, fair Helena!" and Helena replies "Call you me "fair"? That "fair" again unsay. Demetrius loves your fair". Why can't she accept this compliment? All she needs is Demetrius to love her like he once did, but when he does, is it truly what she wanted?
Once in the forest, we are able to truly unveil the insecurities that Helena drowns herself in. She constantly refers to herself as being useless and ugly through animal imagery, “I am as ugly as a bear”. It isn't until the love potion is wrongly used that Helena questions herself further by worrying about her appearance and believing that she is being mocked by Lysander as he declares his love for her. But, even when the spell is corrected and Demetrius declares his love for her, Helena is still scared.
Her character comes across quite desperate at times and this can be particularly evident in her portrayal in the movie. She also constantly question her beauty as can be seen in the beginning of the play when Hermia says "Godspeed, fair Helena!" and Helena replies "Call you me "fair"? That "fair" again unsay. Demetrius loves your fair". Why can't she accept this compliment? All she needs is Demetrius to love her like he once did, but when he does, is it truly what she wanted?