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Compare And Contrast Theseus And Lysander In A Midsummer Night's Dream

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All of the male characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream are in love with someone. Both Lysander and Demetrius are in love with Hermia, Oberon, loves Titania and Theseus loves Hippolyta. Both Oberon and Theseus are rulers of their kingdoms. Oberon is the king of fairies, and Theseus is the Duke of Athens. Lysander and Demetrius are both from royalty. What makes Lysander and Demetrius different is their emotions. Lysander is more caring and respectful, when Hermia gets told by Theseus that she will marry Demetrius or die, she gets upset and Lysander attempts to comfort her. “How now, my love, why is your cheek so pale? How chance the rose there do fade so fast?” (I, i, 128-29). When they get to the woods, Lysander wants to have sex with her, …show more content…

“Amen, amen, to that fair prayer, say I, and then end life when I end loyalty! Here is my bed, Sleep give thee all his rest!” (II, ii, 68-70). Demetrius is more mean and violent, especially towards Helena. When Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia’s plans to elope in the woods, he gets angry. He tells Helena that he does not love her and looks for Lysander so he can fight him. “I love thee not; therefore pursue me not. Where is Lysander and fair Hermia? The one I’ll slay; the other slayeth me” (II, i, 187-190). Helena loves Demetrius, so much that she would even tolerate him hitting her, and Demetrius warns her not to tell him that because he would not mind doing so. “Temp not too much the hatred of my spirit, for I am sick when I look on thee” (II, i, 211-112). The difference between Oberon and Theseus is emotions and logic. Oberon uses emotions to get what he wants, while Theseus uses the law and logic to get what he wants. Oberon wants Titania to give up her son. She will not do it willingly, so he lets anger control him and tells Puck to go find a flower that will make you fall in love with the first thing you see. This is to distract her so he can get the child and he hopes that whatever she sees is

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