Final answer:
Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream discusses love, describing it as something that looks beyond physical appearance and is often unpredictable. She has a history of unrequited love with Demetrius.
Step-by-step explanation:
Helena, a character in Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, discusses love in her soliloquy. She expresses her sadness about the unrequited love she has for Demetrius and talks about how love can be unpredictable and difficult to understand.
Helena says, 'Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,' suggesting that love is not solely based on physical attraction but also on emotional connection and understanding.
Helena describes love as 'said to be a child' because it is often depicted as being playful, mischievous, and unpredictable. Just like a child, love can be capricious, changing its direction and causing confusion.
Love is also portrayed as immature and irrational, similar to the behavior of a child.
Helena has a history with Demetrius, one of the main characters in the play. She confesses her deep love for him, despite his rejection and love for another woman, Hermia.
Helena has been pursuing Demetrius, even though he does not reciprocate her feelings. This unrequited love leads to Helena's soliloquy, where she expresses her frustrations and sadness about the situation.