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A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

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Student Question

Is Demetrius Theseus's son and is Egeus Hermia's father in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

Quick answer:

Demetrius is not Theseus's son, and Egeus is indeed Hermia's father in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Theseus, the ruler of Athens, is not related to any other characters in the play. Egeus wishes for his daughter Hermia to marry Demetrius, despite her love for Lysander. Demetrius, who loves Hermia, was once in love with Helena, who still loves him. The play's character dynamics revolve around these complex relationships.

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William Shakespeare's plays have a much larger and richer cast of characters than many modern dramas. If you are reading the play rather than watching it, sometimes it can be difficult to keep all these characters straight. There are several good movie versions of the play freely available on YouTube which you might find helpful (it's easier to keep track of characters if you can see them). The relationships of the young lovers are as follows: 

Theseus is a figure well known to Shakespeare's audience from Greek mythology. He is the ruler of Athens, and has the absolute and final power to make decisions over his people's lives. He is engaged to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, somewhat against her will. His decision-making role has to do with his official position; he is not related to any of the other characters in the play.

Hermia is a friend of...

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Helena. Her father, Egeus, wants her to marry Demetrius but she loves Lysander. 

Helena is a friend of Hermia. She loves Demetrius, but unfortunately Demetrius is in love with her friend Hermia (who loves Lysander). 

Demetrius once loved Helena but now loves loves Hermia. Hermia's father Egeus wants Hermia to marry him. The father of Demetrius does not appear in the play.

Lysander loves Hermia and Hermia loves Lysander. Hermia's father disapproves of this.

Egeus is Hermia’s father and is trying to force Hermia to marry Demetrius. 

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