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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 3Scene 2
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"lower"
Double Meaning
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 301-306b

An explanation of Helena’s reference to Hermia’s being “lower” in Act 3, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Helena

Let her not hurt me. I was never curst.
I have no gift at all in shrewishness.
I am a right maid for my cowardice.
Let her not strike me. You perhaps may think
Because she is something lower than myself
That I can match her.

Hermia

                                      Lower? Hark again.

Helena's saying that one might think that she's more than a match for Hermia in a physical conflict because Hermia is small, or she could be referring once again to the difference in their social standing.