A Midsummer Night's Dream · Character
Egeus
Hermia's furious father, who drags his disobedient daughter before the Duke and demands the ancient right to choose her husband—or her death.
supporting
Also known as good Egeus, Egeus Scornful Lysander
First appearance: act i
As a supporting figure in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Egeus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Brings a complaint against his daughter Hermia for refusing to marry Demetrius, invoking Athenian law.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Egeus arrives at Theseus's palace 'full of vexation,' accusing Lysander of stealing Hermia's heart with rhymes, rings, and moonlight serenades. He insists she marry Demetrius, and when she refuses, he invokes an…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Egeus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Egeus in act iCharacter Web
14 connectionsA slice of how Egeus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Social
- Other
Character groups
- Lovers and Rulers
- Protagonist
+9 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Demetrius
social · positive
Egeus supports Demetrius as a suitor for his daughter Hermia. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Egeus in act iIn the story
Egeus appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Egeus unlock in the free preview.
See Egeus in act i