Amber Johnson
English 162
Britland, Gurd
31 January 2016
Helena vs. Hermia In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare uses a variety of ways to get the audiences’ attention and convey the feelings of the characters. These include, but are not limit391128616to, repetition, alliteration, and tempo. In Act 3, scene ii, lines 285-305 Helena and Hermia are arguing back and forth. In this passage, repetition, alliteration, and tempo help the actors portray the characters feelings and get the audiences’ attention. One element that makes this passage seem angry is the use of repetition. Repetition is used both in the beginning of the passage and the end by Helena. In the beginning of the passage, Helena repeats the word “no” three times. “No modesty, no maiden shame, …show more content…
This implies that she thinks that it is all Hermia’s fault and that she (Helena) is mad at Hermia. When someone uses the word “you” repeatedly, they are usually trying to avoid blame and instead, place all the blame on the other person involved. While the reason for the quarrel between the girls is not explicitly stated in this passage, it is easily interpreted that they are arguing over a boy.
Another element that affects the tone of this passage is alliteration. Because Helena and Hermia are arguing, the pace of this passage is fast. The alliteration adds to this, as it makes it easier for the actors to speak quicker. If other words were used, the passage would not have flowed as well as it does. The quick pace given by the alliteration adds to the feelings of anger between the girls. If the passage was slower, there would not be as great of a feeling of anger between the girls, and it would read more like a conversation than an argument. The alliteration in Hermia’s lines in the middle of this passage help give off a feeling of anger towards Helena. The letter alliterated first is ‘p’ “Puppet,” “perceive,” “personage,”
English 162
Britland, Gurd
31 January 2016
Helena vs. Hermia In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare uses a variety of ways to get the audiences’ attention and convey the feelings of the characters. These include, but are not limit391128616to, repetition, alliteration, and tempo. In Act 3, scene ii, lines 285-305 Helena and Hermia are arguing back and forth. In this passage, repetition, alliteration, and tempo help the actors portray the characters feelings and get the audiences’ attention. One element that makes this passage seem angry is the use of repetition. Repetition is used both in the beginning of the passage and the end by Helena. In the beginning of the passage, Helena repeats the word “no” three times. “No modesty, no maiden shame, …show more content…
This implies that she thinks that it is all Hermia’s fault and that she (Helena) is mad at Hermia. When someone uses the word “you” repeatedly, they are usually trying to avoid blame and instead, place all the blame on the other person involved. While the reason for the quarrel between the girls is not explicitly stated in this passage, it is easily interpreted that they are arguing over a boy.
Another element that affects the tone of this passage is alliteration. Because Helena and Hermia are arguing, the pace of this passage is fast. The alliteration adds to this, as it makes it easier for the actors to speak quicker. If other words were used, the passage would not have flowed as well as it does. The quick pace given by the alliteration adds to the feelings of anger between the girls. If the passage was slower, there would not be as great of a feeling of anger between the girls, and it would read more like a conversation than an argument. The alliteration in Hermia’s lines in the middle of this passage help give off a feeling of anger towards Helena. The letter alliterated first is ‘p’ “Puppet,” “perceive,” “personage,”