The opening scene

Act 1 Scene 1 – Key Scene

In this scene, Theseus and Hippolyta are interrupted by Egeus. He is angry with his daughter Hermia because she refuses to marry Demetrius, the person he wants her to marry. Instead, she wants to marry Lysander who has wooed her without Egeus’ permission. Egeus uses an ancient law that states if she doesn’t marry his choice of husband she can be put to death. After hearing from Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander, Theseus announces that Hermia must marry Demetrius or be put to death.

Take a look at an extract from this scene. Using the following steps, remember to look at it line by line and if you’re looking at the scene for the first time don’t worry if you don’t understand everything at once.

• Look

  Take a look at the scene. Who has the most lines? Are they using prose or verse? Actors at the RSC often put the language into their own words to help them understand what they are saying. We’ve added some definitions (in green), questions (in red) and paraphrased some sections (in blue) to help with this. You can click on the text that is highlighted for extra guidance.

  Close

  Egeus

  Full of vexation come I, with complaint
  Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
  Be it so she will not here before your grace
  Consent to marry with Demetrius,
  I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:
  As she is mine, I may dispose of her;
  Which shall be either to this gentleman
  Or to her death, according to our law
  Immediately provided in that case.
  

  Close

  Vexation means to be very annoyed about something.

  Close

  I’m really angry with my daughter Hermia and that’s why I’m here. If she will not agree, with you as her witness, to marry Demetrius, then please allow me to use the law of Athens that says that as her father I can choose who she marries.

  Close

  What makes Egeus so angry he’d consider killing his own child?

  Theseus

  What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid,
  To you your father should be as a god.
  Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.
  

  Hermia

  So is Lysander.

  Theseus

  In himself he is.
  But in this kind, wanting your father’s voice,
  The other must be held the worthier.

  Close

  Even though Lysander and Demetrius are equal, Demetrius must be considered better because he is your father’s choice.

  Hermia

  I would my father looked but with my eyes.

  Theseus

  Rather your eyes must with his judgement look.

  Hermia

  I do entreat your grace to pardon me.
  I know not by what power I am made bold:
  But I beseech your grace that I may know
  The worst that may befall me in this case,
  If I refuse to wed Demetrius.

  Close

  Hermia says 'beseech' and 'entreat' which both mean to ask someone for something with urgency.

  Close

  Hermia says 'beseech' and 'entreat' which both mean to ask someone for something with urgency.

  Theseus

  Either to die the death or to abjure
  Forever the society of men.

  Close

  Abjure means to renounce something.

  Demetrius

  Relent, sweet Hermia.— And, Lysander, yield
  Thy craze`d title to my certain right.

  Lysander

  I am, my lord, as well derived as he. 

  Close

  Why do think Egeus wants Demetrius to marry Hermia instead of Lysander when they are equal?

  (Text edited by RSC Education)
• Listen

  Read the speech aloud. Are there any words or lines that really stand out?
• Imagine

  Explore some images from past versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the RSC. Which sets and staging choices for the opening scene feel right to you?