How Is Hermia Similar In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Did Shakespeare intend for the Athenian lovers to be alike, or were they meant to be dissimilar individuals? It has often been said that the Athenian Lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream are undifferentiated. While some might argue that they are all unique individuals, and it is true that they have some minor differences, there is no denying that Helena is extremely similar to Hermia, and Lysander is akin to Demetrius. Although the Athenian lovers possess some distinctive characteristics, they are more similar than different.
Helena and Hermia have a few insignificant differences. One such difference between Hermia and Helena is seen when Helena calls Hermia a “puppet,” (3.2.). Helena is taller than Hermia, and uses Hermia’s short stature as an insult. However, this is the only distinction that Helena can think of to insult Hermia; Helena keeps using this one insult over and over again. This highlights how similar the two girls are. They are so similar that it is hard for them to insult each other! Helena even admits how alike she is to Hermia. Helena compares Hermia and herself to “two lovely berries moulded on one stem” ( 3.2.). The two girls grew up together, and are of similar status and beauty.

While Hermia and Helena are both individuals, they could easily be interchanged.
Demetrius and Lysander also have minor dissimilarities but are, overall, nearly indistinguishable.

One of the few variations between the two is that Demetrius appears more cruel than Lysander. Demetrius tells Helena not to fawn on him for “I am sick when I do look on thee,” (2.1.). Demetrius once told Helena he loved her, but quickly moved on and did not try to let Helena down easily. Lysander, on the other hand, is more loving, and would rather run away with Hermia than not be with her. However, Demetrius and Lysander are much more alike than unalike. Lysander compares himself to Demetrius saying, “I am, my lord, as well derived as he, . . . my fortunes every way as fairly rank’d” (2.1.). Lysander acknowledges how equivilant he is to Demetrius right off the

bat.
Now that it’s been established how indistinguishable the lovers are, it is important to question why Shakespeare made these characters so undefined from each other. One reason Shakespeare may have done this is to emphasize the meager differences between the characters. Since Lysander is so similar to Demetrius, it makes it more obvious how treating women with respect, as Lysander is prone to do, can influence a character. Helena and Hermia’s likeness highlights Helena’s insecurities as well. Because Helena is so insecure, she believes that Demetrius and Lysander are conspiring against her when they are affected by the potion. Whereas Hermia is more confused why Lysander left her. Shakespeare may have also been commenting on how all lovers are inherently the same. This could also tie into the use of the love potion because Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena, whom neither of them loves. Shakespeare may have made Helena and Hermia so alike to stress how interchangeable love is.
Whether Shakespeare views all lovers as indistinguishable or just the lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there is no denying that the similarities were intentional. It is interesting how alike Shakespeare made the lovers. While the Athenian lovers have a few personality quirks, they are essentially the same. Reading the play, it is easy to mix up Helena with Hermia and Lysander with Demetrius. Aside from a few variations, the Athenian lovers greatly resemble each their counterparts.