Discussion Topic
The leadership style of Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream
Summary:
Theseus exhibits a leadership style that is just, compassionate, and authoritative. He demonstrates fairness in his rulings, empathy in his interactions with others, and a strong sense of duty and responsibility as the Duke of Athens.
What type of leader is Theseus in act 1, scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream?
In Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream,
Theseus is presented as a very caring, compassionate ruler, who knows how to
lead a city and be consistent with respect to laws and justice.
We see Theseus's caring nature when we first meet him in the scene while he is
alone with Hippolyta and pining for their upcoming wedding day. His sensuality
towards his bride shows us that he has a very caring nature. We especially see
his sensuality expressed in the lines, "Another moon; but, O, methinks, how
slow / This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires" (I.i.3-4). He also shows
his caring nature by referring to the fact that he met Hippolyta while at war
with her country and says he is making it up to her by wedding her with "pomp,
with triumph, and with reveling" (20).
We see his compassionate nature when,...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
despite the fact that Egeus petitions for Hermia's death instead of the alternative option of sending her to a convent, Theseus keeps the convent option in the conversation. According to Athenian "ancient privilege," or law, a father has the right to either kill his daughter or send her to a convent should she disobey him (42). Interestingly though, when Egeus brings his daughter before Theseus to petition for permission to enforce the law he only asks for permission to "dispose of her," either through marriage to Demetrius, or through death. He completely leaves out the more humane option of sending her to a convent. On the other hand, when Hermia asks Theseus what could happen to her if she continues to refuse doing her father's bidding, Theseus adds the latter back in as an option. We see this in Theseus's response to her question, "Either to die the death, or to adjure / For ever the society of men" (67-68). To "adjure" means to reject; hence, in this line, Theseus is referring to the vow of chastity nuns must take, thereby referring to a convent. The fact that Theseus adds the more humane option back into the conversation, despite what Egeus has asked for, shows us that he is a very compassionate leader.
Furthermore, Theseus's ability adhere to the laws that have been created to
protect his citizens shows us that he is a very just and consistent leader.
While Theseus may object to the idea of forcing Hermia to marry Demetrius while
she is in love with Lysander who is equal to Demetrius in birth and wealth,
Theseus also knows that maintaining obedience is critical for a society. Hence,
he is willing to implement the harsh law that Egeus has requested him to
ordain, showing us that Theseus is also a very just and noble leader.
What type of leader is Theseus in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Theseus is a patriarchal ruler who tends to expect women to fall in line when it comes to love and marriage. For instance, Hippolyta, his fiance, was queen of the Amazons until he forcibly took her from her home. As he puts it:
Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword
And won thy love doing thee injuries.
But I will wed thee in another key,
With pomp, with triumph, and with reveling.
Be advised, fair maid:When Hermia says she wishes her father could see Lysander and Demetrius as she does, Theseus tells her that her duty is to see the men as her father would like her to:
To you your father should be as a god
Rather your eyes must with his judgment look.He then tells her that if she doesn't marry the man her father has chosen she'll either face death or be shut up in a nunnery devoted to the goddess Diana. He seems to have little capacity to view love through the woman's eye and appears to work through coercion rather than gentle persuasion, though he does say he has no choice but to uphold the law. However, even if he is forced to uphold the law, he doesn't have to tell Hermia that she should treat her father as a god. Theseus's view of love is pragmatic as well as patriarchal. He famously likens lovers to madmen and poets, saying they're all out of their minds. However, near the end of the play, he does allow Lysander and Hermia to marry. And he shows tolerance for the Mechanical's play, understanding that they have good intentions even if they can't act. He seems, if a bit patriarchal at times, to be a practical and reasonable leader whose kingdom runs well and in an orderly fashion.