Egeus

Egeus /iˈdʒiːəs/ is a character in A Midsummer Night's Dream, the comedy by William Shakespeare. He is an Athenian who tries to keep his daughter, Hermia, from marrying Lysander the man she loves. In original performances, the actor for his role probably played the part of Philostrate as well.

Role in the play

Appearing in Scene 1 and Scene 11, Egeus is the father of Hermia who disapproves of Hermia's and Lysander's love, and appeals to Theseus to force Hermia to marry Demetrius. If Hermia refuses to wed Demetrius, she could be put to death, or cloistered in a nunnery for the rest of her life -- both sentences supported by Athenian law.

Criticism

Egeus plays a key part in illustrating the loveplay's theme of law versus love, and reason versus imagination. Constantly refusing his daughter's plea to marry the man she loves, Lysander, he demands that she be forced to marry Demetrius. He goes so far as to say that if she disobeys, he as a father has a right to kill her, or to force her into a convent as a nun for life. Hermia embodies the opposition to the law and reason of her father. She follows her feelings and imagination regarding Lysander, rather than strictly adhering to her father's will (thus his preferential disposition towards Demetrius).