A Midsummer Nights Dream is one of Shakespeares most read plays this
romantic comedy illustrates how complicated love ties can be. Thesis: In this
play one of the characters that catches the eye of the reader is Demetrius, his
character is really difficult to identify except by his relation to the one he
loves, or even more, to the one who loves him. Helena the character in love with
Demetrius and her unjustified pursue for his love is the only clue or mark for
his character. Under the undesirable pressure of this unwanted charm that she
has for his love, he turns violent and threatens her with bodily harm, coming
off as not quite the loving person he truly means to be. It is easy to perceive
how he is distracted from the one he loves Hermia because of Helenas hard headed
actions in the beginning. He could be a gentle loving man if he truly desired,
but he takes satisfaction being put in his place by others. In the end, still
under the spell of fairy magic and therefore not seeing with true eyes, he seems
a bit imbecilic launching at the acted “lovers” in the play. He doesnt
realize it, but he is in a play of its own. Likewise, as with the other
characters, what happens to him is far more interesting than the sort of
character he is. His character is very limited during the first act, this means
that he cant stand up for himself, also displays lack of self confidence,
insecurity perhaps because of the presence of his father. The reader may implies
that Demetrius thoughts were that because he had the approval of the duke Egeus,
Hermia should give herself up to him and disapprove Lysander, the one she loves.
Demetrius took advantage of his social stature by claiming Hermia as the one for
him, which truly portrays his instability. At the same time, this showed that he
loves Hermia. It is know that he is supported by Egeus because of the
relationship with Demetrius dad, hateful Lysander opposes saying that she loves
him and no other. Egeus decides that Demetrius is the one that deserves Hermia
at this point, his ego shows uplifted and looks down on to Lysander projecting
an inferior state. During the love trial Demetrius demoralizes Helena by almost
laughing at her deep ridicule feelings she has for him: Ill run from thee and
hide me in the breaks and leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts. (Demetrius,
2.1. 234-235) Helena could crash on her bike and die on the very next moment and
he would not care about it. Thorough the whole play he takes advantage of any
situation that he thinks may benefit him everything like when Lysander was
missing: I had rather give his luck to my hounds ………… and if I could,
what should I get there for says to Hermia, A privileged never to see more. And
from thy hated presence I see me no more, whether he be dead or no. (Hermia,
3.2. 81-83). This awful conversation shows that he has a very demoralizing
personality and disrespects Lysander he doesnt realize that at this point
Hermia doesnt feel comfortable with any aspect of his personality she
dislikes him and doesnt want to see him ever again, inadvertly he comes
across as the main reason why Lysander is missing, Hermia automatically thinks
of him as the murderer of Lysander: It cannot be but thou hast murdered him. So
should a murderer look, so dead so grim. (Hermia, 3.2. 58-59). During these
events Helena still persists in gaining Demetrius love, instead he still lowers
her, but this time he drowns her and she cannot surface again: You do impeach
your modesty too much to leave the city and commit yourself into the hands of
one that loves you not, to trust the opportunity of night and the ill counsel of
a desert place with the rich worth of your virginity. (Demetrius, 2.1.221-226).
Helena blinded thinking in a different way accepts. Demetrieus loves the
external beauty ignoring what feelings are he is only concerned with sexual
feelings on the other hand Lysander is more concerned with inner feelings
beauty. Demetrius enjoys fighting with women it makes him feel flattered by
the attraction during the fight this can be due to the relationship with his dad
which is not really touched but only in the beginning of act I, he also makes
reference to his high political stature and states and that because of this
Hermia is his, in contrast Lysander is emotional with pure feelings. III
Demetrius personality and emotions Helena and Demetrius meet more than once,
the second time in the woods this time it seems that he is trying to put an end
to his situation regarding her: Stay, though thou kill me, sweet Demetrius.
Demetrius: I charge thee, hence, and do not haunt me thus. Helena: O, wilt thou
darkling leave me? Do not so. Demetrius: Stay on thy peril. I alone will go.
(2.2.90-93) It is really doubtful that he loved Helena while trying to get
Hermias love. He tears her heart showing a heartless personality: I love thee
not; therefore pursue thee not…Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.
Tell you I do not, nor I cannot love you? (Demetrius, 2.1.195-208) Demetrious is
a less poetic and romantic figure, which is based on his perception of women,
violent and unchivalrous. When he shakes off Helena, he portrays a person
without charm: Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather do I not in
plainest truth… Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit, for I am sick when
I do look on thee. (Demetrius, 2.1. 206-219). Hermia completely erased him out
of her life this makes him really feel sorrow so he decides no to peruse her
anymore so he decides to give some time thinking that she would miss him.
Demetrius under a spell does a complete 360* and the effect of this love spell
now shuts Hermia completely out of his life: Lysander, keep thy Hermia. I will
none. If I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as guest-wise
sojourned, and now to Helen is it home returned, there to remain. (Demetrius,
3.2.172-176). Demetrius immediately becomes extremely violent toward lysander: I
say I love thee more than he can do. (Demetrius,3.2.261) he has no reason
because he now loves Hermia so Helena asks him to prove him self: If thou say so
withdraw and prove it too. (Lysander, 3.2.2 62) this finally makes Demetrius
follow his instincts and he finally realizes that he really wanted Hermia but
couldnt stand high enough to be her loved one. In conclusion Demetrius
personality is the type that when wants something will do anything to get it,
even if it includes manipulating, hurting or going over every obstacle until
achieving it. In this play he experiences reality and illusion, change and
transformation and it keeps the reader in close attention of his character. He
is an important part of this play without his character the play would be dull
and the plot unflavorfull.
