The first scene ends with a soliloquy spoken by Helena. As with all soliloquies, the lines are not intended to represent actual speech or dialogue. Rather, the soliloquy is a stage convention so that the audience can learn what a character is thinking. The soliloquy in this case, then, represents the irrational thoughts of Helena.
Helena begins her speech by complaining about the unfairness of life: some people are happy, some are not. Some people win their love, some do not. Helena then adds that Demetrius is making a mistake in loving Hermia because Helena is just as beautiful (but Helena also loves him in return as well).
Although she is irrational, Helena is correct when she makes the following statement:
Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity. (232-33)
In the first two lines of this quote, Helena is stating that a person who is in love does not see the object of his love correctly. A woman might be ugly and mean and without virtue, but a man who has madly fallen in love with her will see her as beautiful and kind and full of virtue. In Helena’s mind, she is, of course, thinking about Hermia. And, so, she is indirectly suggesting that Demetrius is seeing Hermia incorrectly. Helena is suggesting that Demetrius is blind to Hermia’s faults. Helena then sums up that concept with a mythological allusion:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. (234-35)
A man who is in love imagines that the woman he loves is beautiful whether she actually is or not. The beauty is a product of the imagination. The Romans often depicted their God of Love as wearing a blindfold or being literally blind to indicate this same belief. A man (or woman) in love cannot see the truth. He cannot see the woman the way others see her. He is blind to her defects and vices.
Helena also hints at the Reason vs. Emotion conflict when she asserts, “Nor hath love’s mind of any judgement taste” (236). The word judgment during the Renaissance was frequently used as a synonym for the word reason. And, of course, love is a powerful emotion. A person in love lacks judgment. A person overpowered by his emotions lacks reason. Helena adds that Cupid is also frequently depicted as a child (in line 238). The choices one makes when in love are frequently childish and foolish.
The soliloquy ends with Helena stating her intention to tell Demetrius about Hermia’s elopement with Lysander. Even though she is breaking the confidence that her friend Hermia has in her (making it a dear or costly act), Helena hopes to get Demetrius’ “thanks” in return (line 249). She wants at least a little attention from him, but she is hoping for more. Helena is hoping that Demetrius will stop looking at Hermia and start looking at herself.
Helena is not thinking clearly and does not realize that Demetrius could possibly prevent Hermia from running away. And if Hermia remains in Athens, then Demetrius can continue to pursue her.