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Helena

fictional character, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Quick Summary

Helena is a character in William Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. She is one of four young Athenians who flee into a forest to escape arranged marriages and unrequited love. Helena is deeply in love with Demetrius, who is pursuing Hermia.

In the forest, Helena and the other lovers become entangled with fairies, including the mischievous Puck. Puck uses a magic flower to cause characters to fall in love with the first person or creature they see. This leads to Helena being pursued by both Lysander and Demetrius, causing her distress as she believes they are mocking her. Ultimately, the enchantments are reversed, and the lovers are properly matched.12

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