women directly; it is the performance of the two men, arguing over Helena who have caused the break up. This exhibition of feelings upsets and confuses both Helena and Hermia. Hermia feels cheated, and Helena is the first person she can find to blame. “O me, you juggler, you canker-blossom,” (3.2.282) Helena, however, thinks everything is some kind of cruel trick against her, and remains slightly calmer than Hermia. “Lo, she is one of this confederacy. Now I perceive they have conjoined all three To fashion this false sport in spite of me.” (3.2.192 –194) As she is taller than Hermia, she calls her a “puppet”. “Fie, fie, you counterfeit, you puppet, you!” (3. 2. 288) Hermia takes this insult as though it is the reason that Lysander doesn’t love her anymore. “Her height, forsooth, she hath prevailed with him.” (3.2.293) She goes on to call Helena a “painted maypole” and is obviously very worked up and angry. “And with her personage, her tall personage,” (3 2. 292) Helena is afraid of what Hermia might do to her, and Hermia is not short of threats in her vicious mood. “How low am I? I am not yet so low, But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes.” (3. 2. 297 – 298) Helena does not want to fall out and does not understand why their past was so quickly forgotten. “Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me. I evermore did love you Hermia, Did ever keep your counsels, never wronged you ” (3. 2. 306 – 308) Hermia, however, feels hard done by. She feels that Helena has caused her true love to turn against her, and if Helena disappeared, everything would be fine. “Why, get you gone. Who is’t that hinders you?” (3. 2. 317) Helena also has the solution of running away, but can’t as she foolishly still loves Demetrius. Helena and Hermia’s relationship has changed completely, entirely be...
