Hermia, Helena, and Lysander Quarrel — MSND III.ii
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
beginnerHow to cast this scene
Draw three names from a hat. No type casting of any kind. Swap roles after each read-through so every Player who wants a turn gets one. Three characters means three rounds of rotation — plan for it.
Say it right
- Hermia
- HER-mee-uh
- Helena
- HEL-eh-nuh
- Lysander
- Lie-ZAN-der
- Demetrius
- Deh-MEE-tree-us
Who’s who
- Hermia
- Small, fierce, loyal. She trusted Lysander completely — until right now.
- Helena
- Tall, anxious, longing. Has loved Demetrius unrequitedly; now suspects a cruel joke.
- Lysander
- Under a love-spell, fully convinced. His sincerity makes the comedy land.
The scene
The scene
LYSANDER. Why should you think that I should woo in scorn? Scorn and derision never come in tears. …. The truth of my love to Helena here, And all devotion, all my heart, all my might.
HERMIA. O me! you juggler! you canker-blossom! You thief of love! what, have you come by night And stol’n my love’s heart from him?
HELENA. Fine, i’ faith! Have you no modesty, no maiden shame, No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear Impatient answers from my gentle tongue? Fie, fie! you counterfeit, you puppet, you!
HERMIA. Puppet? why so? ay, that way goes the game. Now I perceive that she hath made compare Between our statures; she hath urg’d her height; …. How low am I, thou painted maypole? speak; How low am I? I am not yet so low But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes.
HELENA. I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me. I was never curst; I have no gift at all in shrewishness; I am a right maid for my cowardice. Let her not strike me. You perhaps may think, Because she is something lower than myself, That I can match her.
HERMIA. Lower! hark, again.
LYSANDER. Be not afraid; she shall not harm thee, Helena.
[They quarrel. DEMETRIUS enters.]
Facilitator notes
Notice how quickly bodies escalate — try the whole scene with only your hands moving before adding legs. The scene’s comedy depends on full commitment from every Player; half-measures flatten the joke. Three characters means a third Player is always watching — encourage the observer to notice what the speakers cannot.
Reflect together
- Who is the most confused in this scene — and who is the most certain?
- Where does the physical comedy live? What lines invite movement?
- Notice how quickly alliances shift. What causes each turn?
- Try the whole scene in slow motion — what do you discover?
- What would it feel like to be Helena in this moment?
Wrap up
Now let’s share:
Two things I liked…
One thing I wonder…