Introduction
Shakespeare's play, 'A Midsummer Night,' is a comic piece of writing that describes the mystery of four lovers in the forest. The essence of this essay is to create a reflection of Demetrius' scornful words towards his ex-lover, Helena. There is no factual information about the initial relationship between Helena and Demetrius. However, their break-up is associated with the deal between Demetrius and Egues to marry the former's daughter, Hermia. However, Hermia, who is Helena's best friend, is in love with Lysander, who is much loathed by Egeus. Helena learns from her best friend that she will soon elope with Lysander. Such information is useful to her as she snitches the plan to Demetrius, hoping that she will win him. However, Demetrius is furious and storms into the forest to find his soon-to-be wife. It is during his departure that he says bitter words to Helena, who is following behind. He mentions that he hates seeing her face and would wish the wild beast in the forest could eat her so that he does not see her again.
The response of Demetrius towards Helena's desperate love could be termed as cold and selfish (Reynolds et al., 2018). He is oblivious of the much love that she has for him, but he receives it with a lot of bitterness. Despite knowing the dark side of Demetrius, Helena still chooses him over anything. For instance, when Puck's magic works on Lysander and he falls in love with Helena, it is hard for her to accept that she could be with someone else apart from Demetrius. Nonetheless, she quickly falls for Puck's magic when she makes Demetrius fall for her. It is so incentive for Demetrius to overlook Helena's beauty for a royal daughter whom he seemingly does not love. His determination is an excellent description of greed since the marriage would make him king.
Alternatively, the response that Demetrius gives to Helena could be termed as honest and kind. Despite the harsh tone that he uses, one would consider him to be honest about his feelings. It is always sad and inhumane to toy around with someone's feelings when, in a real sense, you do not love her. Therefore, Demetrius's action could be considered as brave. He would instead let Helena know his stance rather than lead her on when he no longer feels love for her.
Conclusion
In summary, Demetrius' words could be termed as irrational and selfish. Firstly, it is not clear whether he loves Hermia (Reynolds et al, 2018). It is, however, clear that his determination to marry Hermia is greed-driven. He has a deal with Egeus, Hermia's father, something he would die to have. Secondly, it is not clear why his relationship with Helena ended. However, it can as well be said that he loved her to the extent of breaking her virginity and making love to her something that is termed as claiming one's soul. Despite such an act being physical, it is sentimental to many people and also binding. Lastly, his relationship with Hermia is a result of local arrangements between him and her father and not love. Therefore, scorning Helena over a relationship bound on greed is a selfish act that is full of cowardice.
In the end, this essay intends to give a reflection on the reaction given by Demetrius towards Helena's undying love. From the discussion in the parts above, Demetrius' words evoke mixed feelings among readers. Whereas some readers would term it as kind and honest, others consider his actions as selfish. The essay is then that his words are more selfish than kind. He had no issues in his past relationship with Helena. Breaking up with her was due to the deal made between him and Egeus. His actions are full of arrogance and a depiction of cowardice. There is no mention of him being in love with Hermia except for greed.
