Racter Analysis of Hermia and Helena

... Character Analysis of Hermia and Helena Hermia * Hermia has a dark complexion, in contrast with Helena's blondness. When Lysander was under the influence of Puck's potion, he had said "Away, you Ethiope!" and " Thy love? Out, tawny Tartar, out!" Act Three, Scene 2, Line 266. An Ethiope is a dark-skinned person, here is it clearly intended as an insult. Tawny Tartar is another insulting reference to Hermia's dark complexion. Tawny is a light brown to brownish orange colour. A Tartar is a member of any of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples of central Asia who invaded western Asia and eastern Europe in the Middle Ages and also a person regarded as ferocious or violent. * Hermia is short, compared to elegant Helena's tallness and slenderness. Self-conscious about her short stature, Hermia suspects that Helena has wooed the men (esp. Lysander) with her height. She says "Her height, forsooth, she hath

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