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Egeus is Hermia’s father, and he does not approve of Hermia’s romance with Lysander. Rather, Egeus prefers Demetrius to marry his daughter, and has given him his official approval. When Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, and strongly claims her love for Lysander and no other, Egeus views her insistence as a rebellion against his authority as her father. Egeus brings his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus, who, being a strong patriarch himself, agrees that Hermia should obey the commands of her father.
Egeus views Hermia as his property and therefore under his ultimate control. Unwilling to tolerate any defiance of his patriarchal rule, he would rather see Hermia executed or sent to a nunnery for life than allow her to marry a man that he has not chosen for her and doesn’t approve of. As Lysander points out, Egeus has no logical reason to disapprove of Hermia and Lysander’s marriage. Lysander is no less titled, wealthy, nor intelligent than Demetrius, so there is no argument to be made that Egeus prefers Demetrius due to his higher status. Rather, it seems that Egeus simply takes issue with his daughter choosing a path outside of the one he has ordained for her. Fortunately, once the four youths (Hermia, her two suitors, and Helena) settle into pairs, Theseus finds it more practical to allow Hermia and Demetrius to go their own ways rather than force their marriage for Egeus’ sake. As such, the harsh iron fist of Egeus is softened by the spirit of romance, frivolity, and joy that permeates the entirety of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
