# Demetrius — A Midsummer Night's Dream character guide

> Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0001-act-i

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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 behaves like property and punishment. When he and Lysander chase the runaways into the wood, he becomes the play's clearest test case for whether affection is chosen or inflicted.

## Relationships

### [Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/helena)

_romantic_

Demetrius is initially cruel to Helena but later, under the love potion, becomes obsessively devoted to her.

### [Hermia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/hermia)

_romantic_

Demetrius pursues Hermia at the start, but his love is rejected and later transferred to Helena by magic.

### [Lysander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/lysander)

_rivalry_

Both compete for Hermia's love, leading to threats and a near-duel in the forest.

### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/theseus)

_social_

Demetrius is a subject of Theseus, who supports his initial suit for Hermia.

### [Puck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/puck)

_psychological_

Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Demetrius, manipulating his affections.

### [Egeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/egeus)

_social_

Egeus supports Demetrius as a suitor for his daughter Hermia.

### [Oberon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/oberon)

_psychological_

Oberon manipulates Demetrius by ordering Puck to apply the love potion to him.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

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

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Rejects Helena harshly in the woods, pursued by her despite his disdain.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Demetrius is pursued by Helena and rejects her, threatening to leave her alone in the dark woods.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Also under the spell, he competes with Lysander for Helena's affection.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Declares his love has transferred from Hermia to Helena.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/demetrius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters