Topic > Theme of love in A Midsummer Night's Love - 997

One of the greatest acts of betrayal and the one that had the biggest impact overall was Hermia betraying Helena. This display of disloyalty by Helena telling Demetrious about Hermia and Lysander's departure is all done for her own sake, to get Demetrious's attention. This great act of disloyalty is not something any friend should do, especially since it was a selfish conclusion. Unfortunately, this is not Hermia's only act of betrayal towards Helena in the play. After the love spell is cast on Lysander and Demetrius, the first time the four characters: Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and Hermia meet in the forest, Helena accuses Hermia of being part of the mockery that is occurring in her comparisons. Immediately Hermia feels betrayed, this is evident when she says: “I am amazed by your passionate words. / I don't despise you: you seem to despise me. Another act of betrayal that took place in the play is when Oberon betrays Tatania by casting a love spell on her with the hope that she will "wake when something vile is near". This not only betrays his trust, but for the most part it betrays their marriage. The acts of betrayal that occur in this play are great and mostly with the intention of sabotaging the relationships they have with the people they love, therefore making it clear that the love Shakespeare depicts is not the same as the love Christians believe in.