Midsummer Nights Dream - Egeus Character Profile

Name: Egeus
Statues: A gentlemen of Athens
Relations: Father to Hermia
Play: A midsummer Night's Dream
Part of the play: Appears in Act 1 Scene 1 and the second to last scene Act 4 Scene 1

Egeus is the lady on the left, then Duke Theseus and Hippolyta 



Egeus's Character:
We first see Egeus in the house of the Duke Theseus where he appeals to the duke to allow him to be able to choose his daughter's (Hermia) husband. Hermia is in love with a man called Lysander but Egeus doesn't like him and Egeus wants Hermia to marry a man called Demetrius instead. 

In the original text it says:

"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."
Act 1 Scene 1 - Egeus

This basically says that Egeus is so determine to choose for his daughter that he would rather her be killed then have her marry Lysander. Since he is a high gentleman in society he also is able to hold the law up against is word as he is educated and he has high statues and control over his daughter. to me this show that Egeus probably isn't a very caring father as he cares more about controlling her then considering her feelings on the matter. therefore I feel everything about his character should be upright and cold since he doesn't show any compassion to his daughter.

Our Version of Egeus:
Since our version of the play is based for children between the ages of 3 - 6, we are not going to say that Hermia must die instead of marrying Demetrius as this would be a very inappropriate theme to put to children of that age. Also the two actors who are playing Egeus (myself included) are both female so in order not to make the children confused we are changing Egeus to Egeia. So this means that references of Egeus must change so that they are female.

For example...
"Be advised fair maid:
to you your father should be as a god;"
Act 1 Scene 1 - Theseus

it will change to...
"Be advised fair maid:
to you your Mother should be as a Goddess;"
Act 1 Scene 1 - Theseus