A Midsummer Night's Dream · Chapter
Scene I explained
Theseus and Hippolyta discuss their upcoming wedding.
What happens
Theseus and Hippolyta discuss their upcoming wedding. Egeus enters with a complaint against his daughter Hermia, who refuses to marry Demetrius as her father commands, instead loving Lysander. Theseus gives Hermia until the next new moon to obey her father or face death or a life of chastity. Lysander and Hermia plan to elope to his aunt's house outside Athens. Helena, who loves Demetrius, decides to tell him of their plan in hopes of winning his favor.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The central conflict of the scene revolves around Hermia's refusal to marry Demetrius as her father commands, choosing instead to elope with Lysander.
Authority and Rebellion
Egeus and Theseus represent patriarchal and state authority, while Hermia and Lysander rebel by planning to flee Athens.
Jealousy and Conflict
Helena's unrequited love for Demetrius and her jealousy of Hermia's beauty drive her decision to betray the elopement plan.
Characters to notice
- Theseus
Opens the scene discussing his wedding with Hippolyta and later adjudicates Egeus's complaint, giving Hermia an ultimatum.
- Hippolyta
Engages in dialogue with Theseus about the approaching nuptials.
- Egeus
Brings a complaint against his daughter Hermia for refusing to marry Demetrius, invoking Athenian law.
- Hermia
Defies her father's will and Theseus's decree, choosing to elope with Lysander rather than marry Demetrius.
- Lysander
Argues for his love of Hermia and devises a plan to elope to his aunt's house outside Athens.
- Demetrius
Presented as Egeus's chosen suitor for Hermia; previously courted Helena.
- Helena
Laments Demetrius's love for Hermia and decides to inform Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's escape plan.
- Philostrate
Briefly appears, sent by Theseus to stir up merriment for the wedding.
Key passages
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
True love always encounters obstacles.
Lysander reflects on the difficulties faced by lovers.
“Or else the law of Athens yields you up— Which by no means we may extenuate— To death, or to a vow of single life.”
Otherwise, Athenian law forces you to either die or become a nun.
Theseus outlines Hermia's grim options if she disobeys her father.
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind”
Love is based on perception, not sight, which is why Cupid is depicted as blind.
Helena philosophizes about the irrational nature of love.