He's the guy in charge in Athens. His name is Theseus.
The Duke of Athens in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is Theseus. He is a noble and powerful ruler who is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Theseus is known for his wisdom and authority in the play.
A Midsummer Night's Dream begins in Athens, at the court of Duke Theseus.
Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in Athens, in the palace of Theseus, the Duke of Athens.
Theseus rules over Athens in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He is the Duke of Athens and embodies authority and order in the play.
Theseus is the duke of Athens in a midsummer nights dream
Hippolyta is the Queen of the Amazons, who is betrothed to Theseus, the Duke of Athens. In Greek mythology, these two legendary persons do in fact marry.
Egeus shows up in Act 1 Scene 1 of the play dragging along his daughter Hermia. He has come to see the Duke, asking him to apply the law relating to a father's right to choose a husband for his daughter.
The event being planned as the play begins in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is the marriage between Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons.
Athens in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" symbolizes law, order, and reason. It represents the civilized world, contrasting with the chaotic and magical forest outside its boundaries. It is a place ruled by rationality and societal norms.
The exposition of A Midsummer Night's Dream sets the scene in Athens where Duke Theseus is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, while Hermia is being forced to marry Demetrius against her wishes. The four lovers escape to the forest, and the fairy king Oberon meddles with their love lives using a magical flower.
A Midsummer Night's Dream is about the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta, and with fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest.For more detailed information see link below marked "WIKIPEDIA".
Kings and Queens did not go to plays in Shakespeare's day. The plays went to them. The actors would all go to the court where the monarch lived along with their attendants and put on the play in a hall in Hampton Court or whatever palace it was. Shakespeare's plays (with Shakespeare acting in them) were played at the courts of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I and his consort Queen Anne.
Back in the day, a ruler like a Duke or King was expected to personally judge any legal disputes which came up in his jurisdiction. The Duke or King would "hold court" which is when he would be available to members of the public to receive ambassadors, meet members of the aristocracy and deal with legal complaints. He would do this in what is usually thought of as a throne room, a large room in which the monarch could sit on a throne which would emphasize his status and authority. It is in a room of this kind that Egeus would bring his suit to enforce the law of Athens on his daughter Hermia.