A loyal subject of the Athenian Duke Theseus, Egeus was the authoritarian father of Hermia. He opposed her desire to marry Lysander, insisting that she wed Demetrius instead, threatening her with death if she refused. He dismissed the former's affection for his daughter as mere sport, favouring the latter, who he believed to be far more of a suitable match.
Upon Theseus's intervention, Egeus was content with the Duke's decision to allow Hermia to choose her fate - whether to marry Demetrius, become a priestess, or face death. With the proposal shelved Theseus pulled him aside to discuss his own marriage arrangements.
While out walking with the Duke and his betrothed, Hippolyta, the following day, they all stumbled upon Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius sleeping in the woods. Enraged by Hermia's intentions to elope with Lysander, he demanded punishment for the young man, only to be silenced by Theseus's unexpected decree of their marriage.
Unable to change the Duke's mind, he begrudgingly held his tongue.
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