Love is inconstant and evenlikened to war because it can cause jealousy between each other, it turns usinto selfish people and it can overpower one’s mind. All these statements can leada person to act violently as shown in Shakespeare’s book, AMNSD. Beingin love can cause jealousy which can lead to the likeliness of war between oneanother. In the book, Helena is extremelyjealous of Hermia because she loves Demetrius but Demetrius loves Hermia. InAct 1, Helena tell the reader that she’s jealous of Hermia because Demetrius isin love with her friend instead. However, Hermia has eyes only for Lysander.Still, Helena wants to know what special about Hermia and what Hermia as thatshe doesn’t have: “Helena: O teach me howyou look, and with what art You sway the motion of Demetrius’ heart.
” (Act1, Scene 1, Page 8). Hermia respond is that she’s done her best to get rid ofhim (because she loves Lysander). Helena wines: “Helena: O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! /O thatmy prayers could such affection move!” (Act 1, Scene 1, Page 8). When Hermia tells her that it’s not herfault, Helena says: “Helena: None butyour beauty; would that fault were mine!” (Act 1, Scene 1, Page 8).
This caused a lot of tension and conflictbetween the 2 characters. However,in act 3, the tables turn. Once Puck has put the love potion on Demetrius andLysander, they both fall in love with Helena. Helena is angry at the both ofthem because she thinks they’re making fun of her ways. That’s not how Hermiasees it. When she sees the three of them together, she’s in shock at first, andtries to talk to Lysander. When she fails, she turns on Helena and says: “Hermia: O me, you juggler, youcanker-blossom, You thief of love! What, have you come by night and stolen mylove’s heart from him?” Helena tells her that she has nothing to do withthis.
By the end of this scene, they both end up fighting and throwing eachother in a mud puddle. This clearly shows that jealousy is truly one way whichcan ruin the whole idea true love and even close friendships. Love is really an obstacle which turns usinto an extremely foolish and ignorant people. In the book, AMNSD, Demetrius is a very ignorant and selfish person in thebeginning. Even though Helena loves him,his heart is only focused on Hermia. Demetrius puts Helena to shame and tellsher that they could never be together just because he lovesHermia.
In Act 2, scene 1, Helena has followed Demetrius into the woods to tryto win him back. Instead of acting like a gentleman and showing compassion,Demetrius acts rudely to Helena. He doesn’t want anything to do with Helena. “Demetrius:I’ll run from thee and hide me in the brakes / And leave thee to the mercy ofwild beasts.” (Act 2, Scene 1).
In Act1, Scene 1 Helena wants tosee Demetrius, even though her hates her. In love, Helena shows completefoolishness and lack of judgment regarding who she gives her affection to. “Helena: But hereinmean me to enrich my pain, /To have his sight thither and back again.
(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 256-257). Even thoughDemetrius does not love Helena, she still keeps one going back to him and convincinghim to love her again. Therefore, this shows us that The pursuit andtrial of love can be blinding and overpowering to one’s mind which can evenlead a person to violence if anything gets in the way of their love. When Puck puts the lovepotion, Lysander is deeply in love with Helena and becomes blind and egoistic towardsHermia. He tells Hermia with no explanation that he is no longer in love withher and that his only love is for Helena. “LYSANDER: Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vilething, let loose, Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent.
HERMIA: Why are you grown so rude? What change is this, Sweet love?LYSANDER: Thy love? Out, tawny Tartar, out!Out, loathèd med’cine! O hated potion, hence!” (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 270-275)Once Lysander falls in love with Helena and notwith Hermia, because of Oberon’s love juice, his former love for Hermia turnedto hate rather than apathy. This hate towards Hermia and love for Helena causeshim to act very irrational, resulting in violence. Another example is that,even though Demetrius does not love Helena, she is still blindly attached tohim. “DEMETRIUS Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit.
For Iam sick when I do look on thee. HELENA And I am sick when I look not on you DEMETRIUS Youdo impeach your modesty too much, To leave the city and commit yourself Intothe hands of one that loves you not, To trust the opportunity of night Andthe ill counsel of a desert place Withthe rich worth of your virginity.” HELENA Your virtue is my privilege. For that It is not night when I do see your face. Therefore I think I am notin the night. Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company, Foryou in my respect are all the world.
Then how can it be said I am alone Whenall the world is here to look on me? (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 196-211)
