<Tr> <Th> Date (s) </Th> <Td> Shakespearean times </Td> </Tr> <P> Helena is a fictional character and one of the four young lovers--Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia and Helena--featured in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream . </P> <P> She is the daughter of Nedar, a member of Theseus court and the Athenian aristocracy, and a friend of Hermia, with whom she is often compared . Prior to the play's beginning, she is betrothed to the nobleman Demetrius but is jilted when his affections turn to Hermia instead . Despite this, Helena's abiding love for Demetrius remains consistent throughout the play . Hermia and her lover, Lysander, confide in Helena that they plan to elope . In the hopes that she will gain back some of his respect, Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's escape and, that night, the two follow the lovers into the forest . </P> <P> Though Demetrius is deliberately cruel towards her, Helena remains honest in her devotion to him . Her behaviour catches the attention of Oberon, who commands that Puck enchant a sleeping Demetrius so that he will fall back in love with Helena . When Puck mistakenly enchants Lysander instead, then put the potion on the real Demetrius . Both men become enamoured with her and desert Hermia in the woods . Confused by the sudden change in behaviour, Helena convinces herself that the three other lovers have banded together to ridicule her . Throughout her conquest for Demetrius' love, she becomes convinced the others are merely mocking her tried, but true efforts for love . Helena is left confused and hurt by how ungentlemanly and unfriendly her closest comrades are . In the play's climax, she and Hermia nearly come to blows while the two men set out to kill one another for Helena's affections . </P>

Description of helena from a midsummer night's dream
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