In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" the mortal teenage 

characters fall in love foolishly, and the character Bottom states, "O 

what fools these mortals be". They are foolish because they act like 

children. Although Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena appear 

grown-up, when they are in love they act foolishly. The four teenage 

lovers are fools.



     Demetrius is a fool because he is unaware that his love changes 

through out the play. At the start of the play Demetrius does not love 

Helena. (II ii,line 188) Demetrius says, "I love thee not, therefore 

pursue me not." (II ii,line 194) "Hence, get thee gone, and follow me 

no more." In III ii, Demetrius after being juiced begins to love 

Helena. (III ii,line 169-173) Demetrius says, "Lysander, keep thy 

Hermia; I will none. If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My 

heart to her but as guest- wise sojourned, And now to Helen is it home 

returned, There to remain." This proves he is a fool, because he is 

not aware of his changing love for Helena.



     Helena is a fool because Demetrius does not love her but she 

still persists in chasing him. Demetrius shows no love for Helena.

(II i,line 227-228) Demetrius says, "I'll run from thee, and hide me 

in the brakes, And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts."

(II i,line 199-201) "Do I entice you? Do I speak you fair? Or rather 

do I not in plainest truth Tell you I do not, nor I cannot love you?" 

Demetrius clearly illustrates to Helena that he has no interest, but 

Helena persists. (II i,line 202-204) Helena says, "And even for that 

do I love you the more. I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius, The more 

you beat me, I will fawn on you." (II i,line 220-222) "Your virtue is 

my privilege. For that It is not night when I do see your face, 

Therefore I think I am not in the night;" This proves that Helena is a 

fool because Demetrius does not love her, but she still persists.



     Lysander is a fool because he persuades Hermia to avoid death and 

run away with him. Hermia must marry Demetrius or she will be put to 

death. (I i,line 83-88) Theseus says, "Take time to pause, and, by the 

next new moon- The sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting 

bond fellowship- Upon that day either prepare to die For disobedience 

to your father's will, Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would," Hermia 

does not love Demetrius. (I i,line 140) Hermia says, "O hell! To 

choose love by another's eyes." Hermia loves Lysander. (I i,line 

150-155) "If then true lovers have been ever crossed, It stands as an 

edict in destiny. Then let us teach or trial patience, Because it is a 

customary cross, As due to love, as thoughts and dreams and sighs, 

Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers." Lysander has an alternative 

idea. (I i,line 157-159) Lysander says, "I have a widow aunt, a 

dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child; >From Athens is her 

house remote seven leagues." (I i,line 164- 165) "Steal forth thy 

father's house tomorrow night, And in the wood, a league without the 

town." Lysander is a fool because he convinces Hermia to risk death 

and run away with him.



     Hermia is a fool because she risks death for love. Hermia is to 

marry Demetrius, or be put to death. (I i,line 95-98) Egeus says,

"Scornful Lysander, true, he hath my love, And what is mine my love 

shall render him. And she is mine, and all my right of her I do estate 

unto Demetrius." Lysander suggests an idea. (I i,line 157-159) 

Lysander says, "A good persuasion. Therefore her me, Hermia. I have a 

aunt, a dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child;" Hermia 

agrees with the idea. (I i,line 168-169) Hermia says, "My good 

Lysander, I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow," (I i,line 178) 

"Tomorrow truly will I meet thee." Hermia is a fool because she is 

risking death for the love of Lysander.



     Therefore this proves, the four teenage lovers are fools. (VI i, 

Theseus states) "Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, Such 

shaping fantasies, that apprehend More than cool reason ever 

comprehends." William Shakespeare's A Midsummers Night's Dream shows 

how childishly foolish lovers can be.