Hermia

Hermia is the daughter of Egeus.   Her father wants her to marry Demetrius, but she is in love with Lysander who is also in love with her.   She is then told by Theseus, (the Duke of Athens), that if she does not abide by her fathers wishes then she must either die or join a nunnery, “Either to die the death, or to abjure forever the society of men” (Shakespeare 172).   She chooses to join the nunnery.
Her choosing to join a nunnery would lead the reader to believe she is very devoted to the one she loves.   It also shows that she will not dishonor the feelings she has for Lysander.   She does have a problem though because her best friend Helena is in love with the other man who loves Hermia.   To get away from all the confusion Lysander and Hermia decide to elope together, “…There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee, and to that place the sharp Athenian law cannot pursue us.   If thou lovest me, then, steal forth thy father’s house tomorrow night…” (173).
Hermia has shown that although she may love her father, she is not willing to marry a man she does not love.   She will only be with the one she loves or be alone for the rest of her life.   She is also willing to run away to be with him, which she does do.   Along the way a few magic spells are made between her, her best friend, and the two men that love Hermia.   While her friend Helena thinks that she is being made fun of, Hermia also shows her devotion to her friend, reassuring her that she would never do such a thing to her.   In the end she and her friend get what they want, proving that she was brave and would not stop until she got what she wanted.

Works Cited

Jacobs, Lee A. “A Midsummer Nights Dream. The Compact Bedford Introduction To Drama.” Ed. Maura Shea. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 171-200