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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 2Scene 2
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"wheresoever she lies"
Irony
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 94-108

An explanation of the irony in Helena’s reference to Hermia in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Helena

O, I am out of breath in this fond chase.
The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace.
Happy is Hermia wheresoe'er she lies,
For she hath blessèd and attractive eyes.
How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears —
If so, my eyes are oftener washed than hers.
No, no, I am as ugly as a bear,
For beasts that meet me run away for fear.
Therefore no marvel though Demetrius
Do as a monster fly my presence thus.
What wicked and dissembling glass of mine
Made me compare with Hermia's sphery eyne?
[Helena sees Lysander asleep, but not Hermia]
But who is here? Lysander, on the ground?
Dead or asleep? I see no blood, no wound.
Lysander if you live, good sir, awake.

Hermia is actually lying very nearby, but unseen by Helena due to the darkness.