Demetrius In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Erlis Gjyriqi

English

Dr.Kroll

June 8th 2016

In the world famous play A Midsummer Night 's Dream written by William Shakespeare a major issues arises concerning the love between 4 Athenian youths. One of the four Athenian youth is Demetrius. He was originally in love with Helena who he had intercourse with and then decided to end their relationship. However, Demetrius then gets engaged to Hermia whom he declares he "loves" but she lacks affection towards him as she is in love with Lysander. Supporting Demetrius in his journey to marry Hermia are Theseus and Eugeus. Based on Athenian law according to Theseus, Hermia should marry Demetrius or else face the consequences. Eugeus, her father also supports the marriage so according to him Demetrius

Through his actions towards others we learn that Demetrius is insensitive to others feelings and he is focused on his own conquest even though he might not truly love Hermia. Demetrius just wants to take her away from Lysander. When Helena is talking to him about how much she loves him, he reacts brutally saying "For I am sick when I do look on thee. (2-1-219)" which shows how cruel Lysander can be towards Helena. However, Helena loves him dearly and would do anything for him and Lysander is impolite to her and rude. He does not care at all about her even though in the past they had a relationship. Later on Demetrius even threatens, to leave Helena alone in the dangerous forest, warning her "I’ll run from thee and hide me in the brakes and leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts.(2-1-234-235)" Demetrius did not care about Helena and was willing to leave her alone in the woods even if there was a possibility she gets killed by beasts. Demetrius threatens her again in a more cruel manner by telling Helena "If thou follow me, do not believe but I shall do thee mischief in the wood. (2-1-243-244)" Demetrius’s intent was trying to intimidate Helena by saying that he will physically harm her if she does not leave him alone which shows how insensitive he can be. At the start of the play Demetrius was very cruel and insensitive as he did not care about Helena 's feelings or if she died or not but subsequently

The change that occurred in Demetrius throughout the story is very important. It settles the dispute between who should be getting married and Hermia no longer has to face the consequences of not marrying Demetrius since he no longer wants to get married to her. The four lovers can now live happily ever after with one another. In the Shakespeare festival I was given the role of portraying Demetrius. Since I had only four minor lines in this part of the play the group and I decided to portray Demetrius in a funny and a bit conceited way. I originally believed Demetrius was a bit conceited as he says to Lysander “I love thee more than he can do” (3-2-261). He thinks his love is much more than Lysander’s and he can love her more than Lysander can which shows he thinks he is better than him. In addition he is willing to joust for Helena which thinks he is certain he will win and defeat Demetrius. As he looks to find Lysander he says “Lysander, speak again. Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled” 3-2-428-429. He thinks he is better and is willing to accept a challenge since he believes he is superior to the foe. He thinks he will surely win since Lysander is a coward. In addition we thought Demetrius would react to the funny play in a conceited but funny manner. My lines in Act 5 were " No wonder my lord, one lion may when many asses do" and " It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard discourse my lord". Bases on these lions it seems like Demetrius thought it was