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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 1Scene 1
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"lodestars"
Metaphor
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 180-193

An explanation of Helena’s reference to “lodestars” in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Hermia

God speed, fair Helena. Whither away?

Helena

Call you me fair? That “fair” again unsay.
Demetrius loves your fair, O happy fair!
Your eyes are lodestars, and your tongue's sweet air
More tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear
When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear.
Sickness is catching. O, were favor so!
Your words I catch, fair Hermia. Ere I go,
My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye,
My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody.
Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated,
The rest I'd give to be to you translated.
O, teach me how you look, and with what art
You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart.

According to Helena, Hermia’s eyes are like bright stars that guide a ship at night.