# Lysander — A Midsummer Night's Dream character guide

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

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Lysander One, Lysander Demetrius, Reenter Lysander, Lysander Proceed

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

## Snapshot

Young Athenian who wins Hermia with rhymes and rings, then risks death to flee with her into a forest where his heart is not his own.

## Who they are

Lysander is the romantic who talks his way past Egeus's fury and Theseus's law, arranging a midnight escape through Athens's gates. His confidence in 'reason' and 'the will of man' is exactly what the fairy wood dismantles, leaving him declaring love for the wrong woman while Hermia sleeps a few feet away. He matters because his overnight reversal turns private devotion into public chaos.

## Relationships

### [Demetrius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_midsummer_nights_dream_se/characters/demetrius)

_rivalry_

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

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

_romantic_

Lysander, under the love potion, briefly abandons Hermia to pursue Helena.

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

_social_

Lysander is a young Athenian subject of Duke Theseus, seeking permission to marry Hermia.

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

_romantic_

They are deeply in love, though their relationship is tested by magic and parental opposition.

## In the story

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

Argues for his love of Hermia and devises a plan to elope to his aunt's house outside Athens.

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

Lysander awakens under the influence of Puck's love potion and immediately declares his love for Helena, rejecting Hermia and vowing to be Helena's knight.

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

Under the love spell, he pursues Helena and argues with Demetrius.

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

Explains their intent to elope and awakens confused.

## Links

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