Helena is one of four young lovers – the others being Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia – featured in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Before the events of the play, Helena was betrothed to the nobleman Demetrius, but she was rejected when his affections turned to Hermia.

The lovers are married in a joint ceremony with Theseus and Hippolyta, and together watch the play put on by the Mechanicals in their honour.

She is also the catalyst of the play's drama, as Oberon (in his role as a deus ex machina) is moved to action by her situation.

Helena is never criticized for her unrequited love for Demetrius; her constancy is seen by other characters as a great virtue, compared to their fickle nature.