Definitions
Duke Theseus
The ruler of Athens, who is preparing to marry Hippolyta.
Hippolyta
The Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus.
Egeus
An Athenian nobleman who wants his daughter, Hermia, to marry Demetrius.
Hermia
Egeus's daughter, in love with Lysander.
Lysander
A young man of Athens, in love with Hermia.
Demetrius
A young man of Athens, initially preferred by Egeus as a suitor for Hermia.
Helena
A young woman of Athens, in love with Demetrius.
The Conflict in Athens
The scene opens with Duke Theseus of Athens and his fiancée, Hippolyta, discussing their forthcoming wedding, which will take place in four days. They are interrupted by Egeus, who brings his daughter Hermia, along with Lysander and Demetrius, to Theseus. Egeus is angry because Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, whom he has chosen for her. Instead, she is in love with Lysander. According to Athenian law, Hermia must obey her father's wishes, or she could face execution or be sent to a convent.
Choices for Hermia
Theseus explains to Hermia that she has three options: marry Demetrius, face death, or live the rest of her life as a nun. He gives her time until the next new moon, which is the day of his wedding, to make her decision. Hermia and Lysander plead their case, but Theseus and Egeus are firm. Hermia is caught between her love for Lysander and her duty to her father.
Lysander's Plan
After Theseus and Egeus leave, Lysander proposes a plan to Hermia. They will flee Athens and go to his widowed aunt's house, which is far from the reach of Athenian law. They plan to meet in the nearby forest the following night and escape together. Hermia agrees to the plan, and they are hopeful about their future together.
Helena's Dilemma
Helena enters, lamenting that Demetrius, whom she loves, is smitten with Hermia despite her own devotion to him. Hermia and Lysander tell Helena of their plan to escape so that Hermia will not stand in the way of Helena and Demetrius. Helena, however, decides to tell Demetrius of their plan, hoping to gain his favor. This sets the stage for the chaos that is to follow in the woods.
To remember :
In Act 1, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' the central conflict is established: Hermia must choose between her love for Lysander and her duty to her father's wishes. The restrictive Athenian law complicates matters, offering Hermia dire choices. Lysander's plan offers a hopeful yet perilous solution. The scene also introduces Helena's unrequited love for Demetrius, foreshadowing further complications as the lovers navigate love, loyalty, and societal pressures.