Within the context of the play's action, Demetrius is fickle because Puck has put the love potion in his eyes, meaning he will fall in love with the next person he sees. This is Helena. Therefore, his allegiance switches in a flash, so quickly, in fact, that Helena believes he is cruelly making fun of her.
Given, however, that he was in love with Helena before the play's action began, then switched allegiance to Hermia, Demetrius doesn't seem to be the most faithful of lovers. The idea suggested in another answer that he might be interested in Hermia for the powerful connections she brings is interesting, and supported by the fact that he is willing to marry Hermia against her will: one could argue that is not loving behavior. In the end, however, he is happily paired with Helena.
Demetrius is called fickle because his romantic interests change easily. We are told that he was once in love with Helena, but when she introduced him to her friend Hermia, he fell out of love:
For ere Demetrius look'd on Hermia's eyne,He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine;And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. (1.1)
Essentially, Demetrius claimed that he would love Helena forever, but as soon as he saw Hermia, he abandoned Helena and began to pursue her friend.
It is also worth noting that Hermia is the daughter of Egeus, who appears to be close to Theseus. We don't ever meet Helena's parents and are told only that she is "old Nedar's Helena" (1.1.116). We don't ever find out who exactly Nedar is, but he is obviously not as prominent in the Athenian court as Egeus, so perhaps Demetrius was motivated by Hermia's wealth and position at court as well as her looks.
Demetrius is fickle because he breaks his promises as soon as something "better" comes along.
No comments:
Post a Comment