<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, and a friend of Hermia (with whom she often compares herself). Prior to the play's beginning, she is betrothed to the nobleman Demetrius but is jilted when his affections turn to Hermia . Despite this, Helena's abiding love for Demetrius remains consistent throughout the play . Hermia and her suitor, 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 plans and, the next night, they follow the escaping lovers into the forest . </P> <P> Though Demetrius is deliberately cruel towards her, Helena remains intent in her devotion . Her ardor catches the attention of Oberon, who commands that Puck enchant Demetrius so that he will fall back in love with Helena . When Puck mistakenly enchants a sleeping Lysander instead, Lysander wakes and falls instantly in love with Helena . He pursues a shocked and hurt Helena, deserting a sleeping Hermia . Oberon, trying to correct Puck's error, then puts the potion on Demetrius . Confused by the two men's change in behaviour, Helena concludes that the other three lovers have banded together to ridicule her . Helena is left confused and hurt by how cruel and unkind her closest friend and her two suitors have become . In the scene's climax, she and Hermia nearly come to blows while the two men set out to kill one another to prove who is more worthy of Helena's affections . </P> <P> Oberon commands Puck to correct the enchantment placed on Lysander . Separated by Oberon's command and Puck's magic, and with dawn approaching, the lovers each go sleep again . Puck crushes another herb into Lysander's eyes, negating the effect of the first one . When the lovers are discovered in the morning by a hunting Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus, all is put to rights . Demetrius claims that a metaphorical' sickness' made him love Hermia, but in health, his love has returned to Helena . The lovers are married in a joint ceremony with Theseus and Hippolyta (offstage) and together watch the play put on by the Mechanicals in honor of the marriages . </P>

Who loves helena in a midsummer night's dream