Question

using the glossary provided by the text, view the definition of abate (3.2.461). how does the meaning of this word further convey helenas feelings?
the word highlights her eagerness for daylight, so she can find demetrius
abate is used as a firm command to the night and, therefore, reveals how angry helena is at demetrius and lysander.
her plead for the night to abate itself shows her sorrow and desperation to leave the woods.
the use of abate demonstrates how frightened she is of spending the night in the woods.
what makes helenas line \from these that my poor company detest\ (3.2.463) an example of dramatic irony?
helena does not know she is lying down to sleep near lysander and demetrius
helena does not know that robin is lulling her to sleep
helena does not know what time it is.
helena does not know that demetrius and lysander are fighting

Explanation:

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the character does not. In the line "from these that my poor company detest", Helena is expressing her desire to be away from those she dislikes. However, the audience knows (from the context of the play) that she is lying down to sleep near Lysander and Demetrius, whom she detests. This creates a contrast between what the character (Helena) believes (she is away from them) and what the audience knows (she is actually near them), which is the essence of dramatic irony.

Answer:

Helena does not know she is lying down to sleep near Lysander and Demetrius.