HERMIA

daughter of Egeus and love of Lysander and Demetrius in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Despite her girlhood friendship with Helena, Hermia clearly takes pleasure in her ascendency over Helena at the beginning of the play. Once Puck's potion has worked its magic to Helena's advantage, however, Hermia responds with characteristic haughtiness that contrasts with Helena's earlier self-effacement.