Characters - pronunciation, introduction, exposition, intentions...

Here is what we saw in class. It will certainly complement your notes on the characters in I, 1.

Theseus /ˈθiːsjəs/ is the Duke of Athens and is preparing to wed Hippolyta in four day’s time, after conquering her in battle. He thinks time is too slow and wishes the wedding would come quicker. He advises Hermia to do as she’s told, unless she wants either “to abjure forever the society of men” and become a nun, or die. He gives her to the day of his wedding to think about what she intends to do.

Hyppolyta /hɪˈpɒlɪtə/ is Theseus’s future wife, she reassures him by telling him the four days before the wedding will pass quickily.

Egeus /iːˈdʒiːəs/ is an Athenian citizen who comes to Theseus to complain and to ask for his arbitration. He is angry because he wants to marry his daughter to Demetrius but she refuses because she is enamoured with Lysander, who in his view has “bewitched the bosom of [his] child”. If she does not accept her father’s choice, he “beg[s] the ancient privilege of Athens” which is “dispos[ing] of her”, “either to [Demetrius] or to her death”.

Hermia /ˈhɜːmɪə/  wants to marry Lysander, whom she loves. She tries to “plead [her] thoughts” in front of the Duke with “boldness”.

Lysander /laɪˈsændə/ loves Hermia, jokes about Demetrius having Hermia’s “father’s love” and so he should marry Egeus instead of Hermia. Defends his “certain right” to marry Hermia because, as a suitor, he is “as well derived, as well possessed” and because “[his] love is more than [Demetrius’s]”

Demetrius /dɪˈmiːtrɪəs/ loves Hermia and defends his right to marry her. However, he “made love to Nadar’s daughter, Helena /ˈhelɪnə/ and won her soul”.

All of these characters are part of the Athenian nobles. (to whose group we could add Philostrate /fɪˈlɒstrətɪ/)

The other 2 groups of characters in the play are: the craftsmen (or “mechanicals”) and the fairies.