Who is Forced to Marry Demetrius?
In William Shakespeare’s iconic play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the character of Demetrius is a central figure in the love quadrangle between him, Hermia, Lysander, and Helena. While Demetrius is initially in love with Helena, he is eventually forced to marry Hermia, a decision that sets off a chain of events that leads to chaos and confusion in the forest.
The Background
In Act 1, Scene 1, Egeus, Hermia’s father, arrives at the Duke’s court to plead his case. He is adamant that his daughter, Hermia, must marry Demetrius, as he has chosen him as her suitor. Hermia, however, is in love with Lysander, and refuses to marry Demetrius. The Duke, bound by Athenian law, rules that Hermia must obey her father and marry Demetrius, or face the consequences of being put to death or entering a convent.
The Consequences
Hermia, desperate to avoid this fate, decides to run away with Lysander to the forest, where they plan to get married in secret. Demetrius, who has been pursuing Helena, follows them to the forest, where he becomes entangled in a series of misunderstandings and misadventures.
The Forced Marriage
As the play progresses, Demetrius becomes increasingly conflicted about his feelings for Helena and Hermia. Despite his initial rejection of Helena, he begins to develop feelings for her, and eventually, he becomes convinced that she is the one he truly loves. Meanwhile, Hermia remains devoted to Lysander, and the two of them continue to elude Demetrius and his attempts to win Helena’s affections.
The Resolution
In the final act of the play, the lovers are reunited, and Demetrius finally comes to realize his true feelings for Helena. The play ends with the four lovers reconciled, and Demetrius and Helena married. Hermia and Lysander, who had initially eloped, are also reunited, and the play concludes with a sense of harmony and resolution.
Key Points
- Demetrius is forced to marry Hermia by her father, Egeus, who has chosen him as her suitor.
- Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, as she is in love with Lysander.
- The Duke rules that Hermia must obey her father and marry Demetrius, or face the consequences of being put to death or entering a convent.
- Demetrius becomes conflicted about his feelings for Helena and Hermia, and eventually develops feelings for Helena.
- The play ends with the four lovers reconciled, and Demetrius and Helena married.
Table: The Love Quadrangle
| Character | Love Interest |
|---|---|
| Demetrius | Helena (initially), Hermia (later) |
| Hermia | Lysander |
| Lysander | Hermia |
| Helena | Demetrius |
Conclusion
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Demetrius is forced to marry Hermia against his will, leading to a series of misunderstandings and misadventures. Ultimately, Demetrius comes to realize his true feelings for Helena, and the play concludes with the four lovers reconciled. The play explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships, and remains one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and enduring works.