In A MidSummers Nights Dream, what's Helena's monologue about in the first scene?

Answer 1

i read this book last year in english i have it right in front of me but i don't know what part you are talking about. I think she is talking about how Hermia is getting the man she wants and the one the Helena wants and is not fair. Also how Helena think she is not pretty. i hope that helps.

Answer 2

In her monologue, Helena talks about how she is jealous of Hermia's and Lysander's happiness. She devises a plan to tell Demetrius that the two are planning to elope. She hopes that Demetrius will follow them into the woods to try and stop them and she will be able to follow him and win back his love.

Answer 3

You need to buy a copy of the play that explains everything to you at bottom of page. Lets you know the meaning of confusing words / phrases etc. I bought versions of Merchant of Venice and Taming of the Shrew in this format and they helped immensely. By understanding more you will gain a lot more pleasure from the play. Try study sections of your nearest large-ish bookshop and you should be able to find what you're looking for.

Answer 4

Her monologue is basic exposition.... setting out the stall, as it were, for how she feels, and leading the audience into HER world, to prepare them for what is going to come. From here in we are looking at the events between 'the lovers' largely from her point of view.

As to the translation of each line, "Blowin'...." has pretty much nailed it.

Answer 5

"How happy some o'er other some can be!
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she."

Translation: It is amazing how some people are more fortunate than others. Everyone thinks I am as pretty as she is (Hermia).

"But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know"

Translation : So what? Demetrius doesn't think I am pretty. He refuses to see what everyone in Athens can see (that I am pretty)

"And as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities:"

Translation: And as he foolishly drools over Hermia's pretty eyes, I sit here, mad-crushing on his good points.

"Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:"

Translation: Love makes the ugliest thing beautiful.

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind:"

Translation: Beauty is not just skin deep. And that is why Cupid is painted as blind.
Note: In many paintings of the ancient eras, Cupid's eyes were often closed or painted over. That sparked the expression "Love is blind", as Cupid cannot see where his arrows fall.

"Nor hath love's mind of any judgement taste;
Wings, and no eyes, figure unheedy haste:"

Translation: Cupid (love) doesn't let his mind dictate where his arrows fall, they just do. Being blind and able to fly makes for some bad judgements caused by the need to act quickly.
Note: Helena is talking about how she was struck with love for Demetrius, and it stinks because he doesn't love her back. So, she blames Cupid (and his bad aim) for her problems.

"And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguiled."

Translation: Cupid was often painted as a small boy, and boys are very fickle. (they promise something, and then don't follow through).

"As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjured everywhere:"

Translation: Like boys playing, they make promises, and then break them, and as Cupid is a boy, his promises end up the same way. Helena is comparing men to boys, as they just say what they want to get into a girl's pants, and then once they do, the promises they made are gone.

"For ere Demetrius look'd on Hermia's eyne,
He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine;"

Translation: Before he looked at Hermia, Demetrius told me he loved me only.

"And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt."

Translation: Helena compares Demetrius to hail, something that can easily "melt" and is close to rain. So, when Hermia turns up the "heat" (hopefully no explanation necessary), Demetrius melts, and turns into cold rain, his promises to Helena disappearing.

"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: Being the ultimate stalker that Helena is, she decides to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan. This is probably the dumbest thing she could do. If Hermia and Lysander left, she would have Demetrius to herself. But to advance the plot along, and to have some positive thanks from Demetrius, she tells him everything. But, at least she can follow him into the wood, and see Demetrius for the entire journey into and out of the wood again.

Hope this helps.