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It\'s hard to get a grip on the character of Lysander. Indeed, because of the frustrating interference of Puck, it\'s hard for him to keep a grip on himself. As you read the play, you may have difficulty telling him and Demetrius apart. They both seem to be defined more by the object of their desires than by any qualities in and of themselves.
Lysander has the unlucky distinction of professing his undying eternal love for two different women, one after the other. It certainly makes us suspicious of the steadfastness of his character. Consequently, the beautiful, flowery, romantic poetry he speaks rings hollow. He\'s made the butt of Shakespeare\'s ironic comedy of fickle love. He goes through all the right motions, says all the right words, but doesn\'t show any depth of character. He defends his new infatuation with Helena by swearing it comes from reason. But since you know it comes from Cupid\'s magic flower, both Lysander\'s love and reason seem suspect. His normalcy is his main characteristic: he\'s just a lover, doing the foolish things that lovers do. Therefore, don\'t be too hard on him. Look at him through Hermia\'s eyes; why do you think she loves him? We see many ways in which his love seems false, but in what ways do you view his love as true?
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