Egeus
Full of vexation come I, with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Be it so she will not here before your grace
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:
As she is mine, I may dispose of her;
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case.
Vexation means to be very annoyed about something.
I’m really angry with my daughter Hermia and that’s why I’m here. If she will not agree, with you as her witness, to marry Demetrius, then please allow me to use the law of Athens that says that as her father I can choose who she marries.
What makes Egeus so angry he’d consider killing his own child?
Theseus
What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid,
To you your father should be as a god.
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.
Theseus
In himself he is.
But in this kind, wanting your father’s voice,
The other must be held the worthier.
Even though Lysander and Demetrius are equal, Demetrius must be considered better because he is your father’s choice.
Hermia
I would my father looked but with my eyes.
Theseus
Rather your eyes must with his judgement look.
Hermia
I do entreat your grace to pardon me.
I know not by what power I am made bold:
But I beseech your grace that I may know
The worst that may befall me in this case,
If I refuse to wed Demetrius.
Hermia says 'beseech' and 'entreat' which both mean to ask someone for something with urgency.
Hermia says 'beseech' and 'entreat' which both mean to ask someone for something with urgency.
Theseus
Either to die the death or to abjure
Forever the society of men.
Abjure means to renounce something.
Demetrius
Relent, sweet Hermia.— And, Lysander, yield
Thy craze`d title to my certain right.
Lysander
I am, my lord, as well derived as he.
Why do think Egeus wants Demetrius to marry Hermia instead of Lysander when they are equal?
(Text edited by RSC Education)