Hermia's Dilemmas

Hermia, originally the Apple of all Athens’ eye, put on an impossible pedestal by both Lysander and Demetrius, seems to trade social standings with the outcast Helena. It seems that Hermia doesn’t fully appreciate the quality of her state. She complains that her father will not allow her to merry her true love Lysander, and pawns her off to the inadequate Demetrius. Never can she accept the flattery of Demetrius’ unrequited love which her best friend would do anything to sincerely receive. Instead she revels in wonderment: “The more I [Hermia] hate, the more he [Demetrius] follows me” (I.i.198). Her unhappiness is far heightened when her two followers are given the love potion, turning them against her and beckoning to Helena. The cruel swap of fates lets the two female characters feel as though in the others’ shoes. It’s Hermia’s karma for being ungrateful at the attention bestowed upon her all these years that leads her to this harsh lesson.

For in the temple by and by us these couples shall be eternally knit” (Act 4, scene 1, lines 179-181). Hermia had the strength to ignore both her father and Theseus and the strength to end up getting married to Lysander. Theseus changing his mind ends up showing how Hermia’s disregard for her father’s authority only worked out because she was strong enough to overcome the embarrassment of losing the man she loved to her best friend. It shows how you also need strength to

First, Hermia went through many different issues and conflicts throughout the story. Hermia was put in the situation of being forced to marry either Lysander or Demetrius. They both loved Hermia, but Hermia only loves Lysander and despises Demetrius. Egues comes to the decision of Hermia marrying Demetrius. Hermia states “If then true lovers have been ever cross'd,It stands as an edict in

Theseus only allows Hermia three options: to die, to obey her father’s wishes and wed Demetrius or to become a nun. The law was is an obstacle because it prevents Hermia and Lysander from being together.

blinded by love. According to Egeus, father of Hermia, Hermia had to get married to

“What cheer Hippolyta,” you have asked?Hermia’s situation connects to mine. When you told Hermia “But earthlier happy is the rose distilled Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn,” you offended not only her but me and all women. You don’t see us as equals and says that it’s better to marry, have children, than to stay a virgin our whole life. But, what’s the point of getting tied down if it’s without with true love? Moreover, it’s because I’m a woman that I’m able to understand her feelings. Theseus, as much as I don’t agree with your views, I can’t deny that I have no love for you. I am willingly marrying you. But, I hope that I can win your heart and have you see women in another perspective.

Hermia: Your grace, pardon me. I do not know what makes me think I can say this, and I don’t know it may damage your reputation for modesty. Please tell me, the worst that could happen to me if I refuse to marry Demetrius.

5. What was the proper role for woman/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus?

Exposition: The story is set in Athens, Greece. Theseus and Hippolyta are both noble and wealthy and they were planning their wedding in 4 days. Hermia and Lysander were in love, but another guy named Demetrius was also in love with Hermia. Helena loves Demetrius but is all alone, because he does not love her. Egeus who is Hermia’s father is not happy about her relationship with Lysander, he wants her to marry Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to run away to another city to be married. Helena tell Demetrius the plan hoping that he will forget Hermia and fall in love with her.

Hermia is the character that is most like a modern day woman because of her strong willed personality. She likes to fight for what she believes in no matter what others think. Her father pre arranged her a marriage with Demetrius, but she had her mind set on Lysander. She stands up to her father and tells him that no matter what she will be with Lysander (Act I scene i 50-83). She runs away the next night to get married to Lysander but they get lost in the woods.

Because Egeus is Hermia’s father, he had complete control over her life. He could choose everything for her, and in fact he does. Egeus states, “As she is mine, I may dispose of her— Which shall be either to this gentleman. Or to her death—according to our law Immediately provided in that case” (Shakespeare 1.1.43-46). He directly and bluntly declares that if his daughter is to disobey him and not marry Demetrius, he will have her killed,.

In Athens, women had very little rights. Womens fathers were the ones who got to choose whom they married, and that caused trouble for the lovers. Hermia’s father, Egeus, strongly believed in this rule. At the beginning, Egeus decides that he wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, which is good for Demetrius but bad for Hermia. Hermia, daringly refuses her father’s wishes, so they seek the help of Theseus, the Duke of Athens. Theseus listens to their situation, and being the authority in the situation, tells Hermia: “Either to die the death, or to abjure for the society of men. Therefore, fair Hermia,... if you yield not to your father’s choice, you can endure the livery of a nun...”(24). This shows how authority, in this case the law, gets in the way of “the course of true love…”(28). Egeus’s decision to have Hermia marry Demetrius does not only affect Hermia but also affects Helena. When Hermia’s father chooses Demetris to be her

Egeus is controlling his daughter, Hermia, and would rather see her die than go against what he wants. Hermia and Lysander are in love, and want to be married. Egeus doesn’t approve of Lysander, and wants to make Hermia marry the man he approves of. Egeus doesn’t care who his daughter choices or who will make her happy, he just wants her to marry who he likes, and who he thinks will make her happy. Since Hermia will not let in to Egeus’ demands, Egeus goes to Theseus ask for help:

Hermia has been promised to Demetrius by her father; however she is unwilling to marry him as she is in love with Lysander. We are introduced to this theme when they visit Thesus, the figure of authority in the play, who makes it clear that women are not to have their own identity, but instead are

This demonstrates how there is money and power involved in the story. Egeus, Hermia’s father, removes all of her power. Egeus has her power and controls his daughter, Hermia. In the story, Egeus arranges her marriage with someone whom she doesn’t love, and he doesn’t let her marry who she loves, Lysander. Not only that, but also shows how money also is being used in the story.