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Many people think they are so alike you cannot tell them apart, but there is a difference. Without the assistance of the love flower, Lysander is a true lover, and a very considerate one. He does not take advantage of Hermia when they are alone in the woods. He is prepared to sacrifice his life in Athens to exile himself with Hermia. Demetrius is more changeable. He has dumped Helena so as to have a chance with Hermia, even though he knows Hermia does not love him. He is quite happy to go along with Egeus's plan to force Hermia into marrying him. He threatens to rape Helena when they are alone in the woods, and only desists when she says that it won't be rape because she will be consenting.

During the Pyramus and Thisbe play, poor Starveling gets heckled right out of his text by guess who? Demetrius, aided and abetted by Theseus. All Starveling had to say was "horned moon" and away Demetrius went with the dirty joke. Lysander does not take part in the heckling and encourages Starveling, saying "Proceed, moon". Lysander is much kinder; Demetrius is rather mean.

Indeed it appears that Shakespeare, in drawing the characters of Demetrius and Helena, was portraying an abusive relationship. Helena is a person of low self-esteem ("I am as ugly as a bear") who feels that she deserves, unworthy as she is, to be mistreated by her lover ("I am your spaniel.") Demetrius is unfortunately one of those weak and cruel men who is happy to oblige.

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Why does oberon give the love potion to lysander?

Oberon gives the love potion to Lysander to resolve the conflict between him and Hermia, who is in love with Lysander but is being pursued by Demetrius. Oberon wants to teach Demetrius a lesson and make him fall in love with Helena, who is infatuated with him. By using the potion on Lysander, Oberon aims to create chaos and ultimately restore harmony among the lovers, showcasing the complexities of love and desire in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."


What do Robin and Oberon do to delay the duel between Lysander and Demetrius?

Oberon instructs Puck to create a fog so the young men will not be able to see each other. Then Puck (who is also called Robin Goodfellow) is to imitate the voices of Lysander and Demetrius to lure them away from each other. We see that Puck is successful and the duel is avoided.


What is conflict in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

There are a number of conflicts which drive the play. There is a conflict between Hermia and Lysander on the one hand and Egeus and Demetrius on the other over who should marry Hermia (and who should decide). Theseus' answer to Hermia causes friction with Hippolyta in many productions. As the lovers' plot develops, conflict erupts between Hermia and Helena. The play starts also with conflict between Titania and Oberon over the Indian boy.


What is lysanders argument to convince egeus in order to marry his daughter?

He argues that in terms of wealth or status there is not much to choose between Demetrius and himself, but that Lysander has something which should override any differences if there are any, and that is Hermia's love.


Why has egeus brought his daughter and two suitors to theseus?

Egeus is angry because Hermia refuses to obey his wishes on who she should marry. He has arranged a marriage between Demetrius and Hermia, but Hermia is not cooperating because she is in love with Lysander. It can also be argued that Egeus is angry not simply because of her disobedience, but also because she has actually fallen in love with someone else.

Related Questions

Who are the lovers in Shakespeares A Midsummer Night's Dream?

At the beginning they are: Lysander and Hermia Hippolyta and Theseus A one sided love between Helena and Demetrius. (On Helena's part) At the end they are: Lysander and Hermia Hippolyta and Theseus Helena and Demetrius


In A Midsummer Night's Dream who does Helena marry?

No-Hermia falls in love with Lysander whereas Helena falls in love with Demetrius (who is meant to be Hermias husband to be!)


What is the climax story of midsummer?

The climax of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" occurs when the four lovers - Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena - are found in the forest by Theseus and Hippolyta. The misunderstandings and confusion between them are revealed, leading to their love interests being resolved.


Why does oberon give the love potion to lysander?

Oberon gives the love potion to Lysander to resolve the conflict between him and Hermia, who is in love with Lysander but is being pursued by Demetrius. Oberon wants to teach Demetrius a lesson and make him fall in love with Helena, who is infatuated with him. By using the potion on Lysander, Oberon aims to create chaos and ultimately restore harmony among the lovers, showcasing the complexities of love and desire in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."


What happens between Helena and Lysander in the woods in a midsummer's night dream?

Lysander is going into the woods with Hermia to get out of Athens so they can elope. Helena is following Demetrius, who is following Hermia. Puck is instructed to put the love-drug in Demetrius's eyes but he mistakenly gets Lysander instead. Lysander is wakened by Helena and immediately falls for her. She doesn't have much self-esteem, however, and so assumes that he is making fun of her, and tries to persuade him to go back to Hermia. Fortunately Puck rectifies his mistake by giving Lysander the antidote after he falls asleep.


Whose wedding is being anticipated in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

A Midsummer Nights Dream takes place in the city of Athens, where king Theseus is getting ready to marry Hippolyta - the queen of the Amazons - who is a prisoner of war. Theseus is clearly very excited about the marriage. We never really find out how Hippolyta feels about it.


What is the main conflict in A Midsummer Night's Dream in act 1?

The primary conflict which is quickly introduced in Act 1 Scene 1 is that between Egeus and Hermia. Egeus is supported by Demetrius and, somewhat reluctantly, by Theseus. Hermia is supported by Lysander, and in some productions, by Hippolyta.


Which characters exchange these lines and in what order in Act I Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream I frown up him yet he loves me still o that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill?

These lines are exchanged by Hermia and Helena, two friends. They are speaking of the young man Demetrius, who is in love with Hermia. Hermia, however, is in love with Lysander, and, to make matters more complicated, Helena loves Demetrius. Hermia speaks first, commenting on how she cannot seem to shake Demetrius from his puppy love, even though she scorns him. Helena responds, saddened that even when she tries her hardest, she cannot gain Demetrius's affections. In the end of the play, all is right--Lysander and Hermia are together, as are Demetrius and Helena.


What is the relationship between egeus and hermia?

Egeus is Hermia's father in Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Their relationship is strained because Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, while Hermia is in love with Lysander. This conflict drives much of the plot of the play.


Did Hermia tell Helena that she was running away with Lysander or did Helena overhear the conversation between Hermia and Lysander?

Hermia told her. "Take comfort. He [Demetrius] no more shall see my face. Lysander and myself shall fly this place." Lysander tells her as well. "Helen, to you our minds we will unfold."


Who breaks up in A Midsummer Night's Dream summary?

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," several couples experience tumultuous relationships: Hermia's father wants her to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander, causing discord between the couples. Additionally, Oberon and Titania's marriage is strained due to a conflict over a changeling boy. However, by the end of the play, the couples are reunited and harmony is restored.


How the dreams in A Midsummer Night's Dream influence Helena and demetrius?

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, the dreams influence Helena and Demetrius by causing turmoil in their romantic relationships. After Puck's mistake with the love potion, Demetrius falls in love with Helena, and this creates confusion and jealousy between them. The dreams serve as a catalyst for the comedy and chaos that ensues in the play.