Midsummer Night's Dream Hermia: An

¶ … Midsummer Night's Dream Hermia: An overlooked heroine In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, it is easy to overlook the influence of the romantic, mortal heroine Hermia. The shorter, dark-haired Hermia initially seems less sympathetic than her taller, blonder and 'fairer' compatriot Helena because she begins the play with the affections of her beloved Lysander secure. Yet it is Hermia's brave and defiant action that causes the rest of the events of the play to unfold. Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, a man she does not love.

In doing this, she still leaves open the possibility for Helena to marry the man she originally was promised to marry. And Hermia's bold decision to flee into the woods brings the rest of the human world in contact with the fairy kingdom. Hermia also undergoes a tremendous emotional change in the play, both in terms of how she sees herself and how she views her relationship with others.

She says she is very demure, but she is willing to speak aloud before more powerful men in public, including her father and the king, at the beginning of the play. I do entreat your grace to pardon me. I know not by what power I am made bold, Nor how it may concern my modesty, In such a presence here to plead my thoughts; But I beseech your grace that I may know The worst that may befall me in this case, If I refuse to wed Demetrius (I.1).

Hermia says she would rather be a nun than bend to her father or the king's command that she marry Demetrius, who originally promised to marry Helena. Hermia's instinct to remain true to her values continues in the forest, where she politely tries to preserve her chastity. Lysander riddles very prettily: Now much beshrew my manners and my pride, If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied.

But, gentle friend, for love and courtesy Lie further off; in human modesty, Such separation as may well be said Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid (II.2) Although this may seem prudish, Hermia is wise -- she has just eloped with Lysander, and she needs to make sure that he marries her, to preserve her position in society.

And when she mistakenly believes that her beloved, for whom she has risked everything, including her father's affection and her good name, is taken away by her best friend, she is even willing to defend herself physically: Puppet? why so? ay, that way goes the game. Now I perceive that she hath made compare Between our statures; she hath urged her height; And with her personage, her tall personage, Her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him.

And are you grown so high in his esteem; Because I am so dwarfish and so low? How low am I, thou painted maypole? speak; How low am I? I am not yet so low But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes (III.2). Hermia is not ungenerous towards Helena -- she does not glory in the fact that two men love.