A Midsummer Night's Dream · Character

Demetrius

Athenian nobleman whose pursuit of Hermia curdles into contempt for the woman who loves him, until the forest rewrites his desires.

major

Also known as Lysander Demetrius, Demetrius Yea, Demetrius Ay, Demetrius Well roared

First appearance: act i

As a major figure in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Demetrius is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Presented as Egeus's chosen suitor for Hermia; previously courted Helena.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

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Demetrius holds Egeus's blessing to marry Hermia, but she loathes him, and he spurns Helena, who once had his oaths and now dogs his steps. His cruelty to Helena — 'I charge thee, hence' — exposes how love in Athens…

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The fuller portrait of Demetrius sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Demetrius in act i

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Demetrius sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Rivalry
Social
Psychological

Character groups

Lovers and Rulers
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it represents the peak of the "play-within-a-play" crisis, where the…

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Relationships

Helena
romantic · ambivalent
Demetrius is initially cruel to Helena but later, under the love potion, becomes… How this plays out →
Hermia
romantic · negative
Lysander
rivalry · negative
Theseus
social · positive
Puck
psychological · ambivalent
Egeus
social · positive
Oberon
psychological · ambivalent

Helena
Demetrius is initially cruel to Helena but later, under the love potion, becomes obsessively devoted to her.
Hermia
Demetrius pursues Hermia at the start, but his love is rejected and later transferred to Helena by magic.
Lysander
Both compete for Hermia's love, leading to threats and a near-duel in the forest.
Theseus
Demetrius is a subject of Theseus, who supports his initial suit for Hermia.
Puck
Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Demetrius, manipulating his affections.
Egeus
Egeus supports Demetrius as a suitor for his daughter Hermia.
Oberon
Oberon manipulates Demetrius by ordering Puck to apply the love potion to him.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Demetrius in act i

In the story

Demetrius appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Presented as Egeus's chosen suitor for Hermia; previously courted Helena.
Scene I
Rejects Helena harshly in the woods, pursued by her despite his disdain.
Scene II
Demetrius is pursued by Helena and rejects her, threatening to leave her alone in the dark woods.
Scene II
Also under the spell, he competes with Lysander for Helena's affection.
Scene I
Declares his love has transferred from Hermia to Helena.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Demetrius unlock in the free preview.

See Demetrius in act i

See Demetrius in Scene I