Lysander and Hermia had been told by Theseus that they are forbidden to marry each other because Egeus, Hermia's father, has decided she must marry Demetrius.

Hermia is in love with Lysander, but under Athenian law her desires do not matter. A daughter is under the complete control of her father and must marry the man he chooses for her. Although Hermia pleads with Theseus a few days before his own marriage to see it her way, he will have none of it. He tells her she must marry Demetrius or face either death or life in a convent.

As one might expect, this makes Hermia very unhappy. However, Lysander mentions to her that he has a widowed and wealthy aunt who lives outside of Athens. He suggests that, since he is like a son to this aunt, she will accept him with open arms. The aunt lives outside of the jurisdiction of Athens, so the two can freely marry there without having to fear repercussions. Lysander explains the plan as follows:

I have a widow aunt, a dowager
Of great revenue, and she hath no child.
From Athens is her house remote seven leagues,
And she respects me as her only son.
There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee.
And to that place the sharp Athenian law
Cannot pursue us.

This plan makes Hermia very happy, for she is not the type of person to take life lying down. She agrees to cross the forest with Lysander, which, as we know, leads to many mishaps and adventures.