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Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is to marry Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons in four days' time. The entire city of Athens is preparing for the great wedding.
Hermia, the daughter of Egeus, a nobleman, has been ordered by her father to marry Demetrius. Hermia refuses, because she is in love with Lysander, who also loves her, and because Demetrius had earlier declared that he loved her friend Helena, who loves Demetrius madly.
According to the law of Athens, a daughter must marry the man her father chooses for her, or else lose her life, or become a nun. Egeus appeals to Theseus to help his daughter see reason and make her agree to marry Demetrius. Theseus gives Helena four days in which to make up her mind - to obey her father and marry Demetrius, or else to choose between death and a life of chastity in the service of the goddess Diana.
Lysander suggests that he and Hermia run away to Lysander's aunt, whose house lies seven leagues from Athens, and where the harsh Athenian law cannot pursue them, and where, 'gentle Hermia, I may marry thee.' Hermia agrees, and they decide to meet the very next night in a wood a few miles from the city.
Meanwhile, Helena is distraught and miserable - Demetrius no longer loves her, but seems to have eyes only for Hermia. 'What is in your eyes, your voice, your face, that Demetrius loves you so?' she asks Hermia. 'The more I love him, the more he hates me.'
Hermia and Lysander, in an attempt to make her feel better, tell Helena of their plan to meet in the woods, and to run away together. 'I will leave Athens forever, and Demetrius no more shall see my face,' says Hermia, comforting her friend. She bids Helena farewell, and wishes that good luck grants her Demetrius.
A Midsummer Night's Dream cont'd...
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