Demetrius and Egeus attempt to control Hermia by appealing to Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to enforce Egeus's wish for Hermia to marry Demetrius. Theseus supports Egeus, telling Hermia to view life through her father's perspective and conform to his desires. He warns Hermia of severe consequences if she disobeys: either death or a life in a nunnery. Despite these threats, Hermia defies them and elopes with Lysander.

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the father-daughter relationship under Athenian law gives fathers, like Egeus, the authority to decide their daughters' marriages, with disobedience punishable by death. Egeus provides complete legal information, as confirmed by Theseus, who emphasizes a father's god-like authority over his daughter. Although Theseus offers Hermia a choice between marriage and a convent, Lysander suggests eloping as an alternative, highlighting the law's severity and potential loopholes.

Oberon's demand for the Indian boy in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" does not suggest a lack of sexual interest in Titania. The boy is desired as a squire, indicating a traditional role transition rather than sexual motives. Oberon's interest in the boy is also part of a power struggle with Titania, not a reflection of his sexual orientation. His actions, including punishing Titania for infidelities, demonstrate his ongoing heterosexual interest in her.

The theme of male dominance in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is evident through characters like Theseus and Oberon. Theseus asserts control by forcing Hippolyta into marriage and supporting Egeus's demand that Hermia marry Demetrius, threatening her with death or exile. Oberon manipulates Titania to gain custody of a child she cares for, using a love potion to distract her. Both characters embody a patriarchal expectation that women yield to male desires.

Hermia is justified in disobeying her father's commands as she seeks to marry Lysander, whom she truly loves, rather than Demetrius, whom her father, Egeus, favors. Her decision represents a rebellion against oppressive patriarchal laws that treat women as property. Egeus disregards Hermia's feelings and autonomy, wanting to control her marital choice. Thus, Hermia's choice to follow her heart and pursue happiness aligns with resisting unjust societal norms.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Titania and her husband, Oberon, are queen and king of the forest, but gender role inequality is show when Titania won't give Oberon the Indian boy she has adopted. That refusal is intolerable to Oberon. He shows his sense of gendered superiority in his assumption that he is entitled to have his demands met and in his access to superior resources for achieving his goals.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, women are generally portrayed as submissive and powerless compared to men. Characters like Hermia and Titania face decrees and magical manipulation from male characters, exemplifying the imbalanced power dynamics. Hermia is forced to marry Demetrius, and Titania is bewitched by Oberon. However, there are exceptions as Hermia and Titania resist male dominance, highlighting Shakespeare's complex depiction of gender roles.

Hermia and Lysander's relationship in A Midsummer Night's Dream highlights the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. Their love defies her father's wishes and Athenian law, showcasing their rebellious spirit. This conflict underscores the theme of love's irrationality and the struggle for autonomy within rigid power structures.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare explores gender roles and issues, reflecting the patriarchal society of Elizabethan times. Women, like Hippolyta and Hermia, face subjugation and limited autonomy, with Hermia forced to marry against her will. Female characters, including Titania, Helena, and Hermia, often find themselves at the mercy of male desires and societal expectations. Shakespeare portrays women's struggles sympathetically, highlighting their emotional turmoil and challenging traditional gender norms, yet ultimately reinforcing conventional roles through marriage and male dominance.