In William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lysander and Hermia are young lovers whose relationship faces obstacles due to Hermia’s father insisting she marry Demetrius instead. After fleeing Athens to elope in the forest, Lysander asks if he can sleep next to Hermia, leading to an important dialogue about propriety and virtue.
As one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream explores concepts of love, marriage, and gender dynamics. The character Hermia faces immense pressure from her father Egeus to marry Demetrius even though she loves Lysander. Defying these societal expectations, Hermia and Lysander escape to the forest in hopes of eloping. However, their plans go awry after Puck mistakenly applies a magical flower juice to Lysander’s eyes, causing him to fall in love with Helena instead of Hermia.
After ending up lost in the forest, Lysander insists that Hermia sleep beside him for the night. As a young woman in Elizabethan times, Hermia faces a difficult predicament in responding to Lysander’s bold request. On one hand, she has fled Athens to marry this man, demonstrating her commitment to him. However, sleeping together before marriage goes against expectations of virtue for women during that historical period. Hermia must find a way to uphold her morals while also reaffirming her love for Lysander.
Hermia’s Reaction
When Lysander proposes that Hermia sleep next to him, Hermia reacts with shock and uneasiness. She says to Lysander:
“With the best meaning, sir, for mine own part,
I would not wish any companion in the world but you.
Nor can imagination form a shape
Besides yourself to like of. But I think
You speak not as you think. It cannot be.”
This dialogue reveals Hermia’s surprise and hesitation at Lysander’s improper suggestion. While she cares deeply for him, she cannot imagine agreeing to such an intimate sleeping arrangement before marriage. Hermia even seems to think Lysander does not truly mean what he says and must be joking.
Upholding Virtue
As a woman dependent on her reputation in Athenian society, Hermia recognizes the importance of upholding her virtue before marriage. Sleeping beside Lysander could threaten her purity and honor if anyone were to find out about it. Hermia tells Lysander:
“But, gentle friend, for love and courtesy
Lie further off. In human modesty,
Such separation as may well be said
Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid.
So far be distant. And good night, sweet friend.
Your love ne’er alter till your sweet life end.”
While still kind, Hermia directly asks Lysander to sleep further away from her. She appeals to social norms about appropriate behavior between an unmarried man and woman. Hermia even uses the term “virtuous bachelor and maid” to emphasize their need to uphold morality before marriage. Though difficult, she must deny Lysander’s request to protect her reputation.
Affirming Their Love
Even as she maintains her virtue, Hermia also wishes to assure Lysander of her undying love. So in her response, she states:
“And in the wood where often you and I
Upon faint primrose beds were wont to lie,
Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet,
There my Lysander and myself shall meet.”
Hermia reminds Lysander of the intimate moments they have already shared, laying together and whispering their secrets. By evoking these memories, she confirms her trust and affection toward Lysander despite having to reject his offer. Her virtuous stance does not diminish Hermia’s feelings for him.
Reaction Shows Her Character
Hermia’s response highlights her morals and complexity as a character. She demonstrates commitment to Lysander by fleeing with him, yet upholds her virtue by refusing to be sexual before marriage. Hermia manages to strike a balance between following her heart and adhering to societal expectations. Though conflicted, she makes the choice that she feels is right at the time. Her conscientiousness, nuance, and depth of emotion make Hermia one of Shakespeare’s most resonant female characters.
Conclusion
In response to Lysander’s request to sleep together, Hermia reacts with conviction, integrity, and feeling. While affirming her affection for Lysander, she clearly insists on maintaining her virginity until marriage. Hermia’s layered reaction reflects societal pressures on women to be chaste while illuminating her humanity and agency as an individual. Her choice upholds ideals of virtue without sacrificing her multidimensional character. Through this dialogue, Shakespeare creates a realistic, compelling portrait of a woman navigating complex concepts of love, morals, and identity.
| Character | Action | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Hermia | Refuses Lysander’s request to sleep beside him | Wants to uphold her virtue and honor |
| Lysander | Asks Hermia to sleep next to him in the forest | Loves Hermia and wants to be physically intimate |
| Egeus (Hermia’s father) | Insists Hermia marry Demetrius | Wants Hermia to obey him and marry a man of his choice |
In William Shakespeare’s comedic play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, various characters experience magical romantic entanglements and misadventures in the forest outside Athens. The young lovers Hermia and Lysander flee to the forest to escape Hermia’s father Egeus, who insists she marry Demetrius instead. Once in the woods, Lysander asks to sleep next to Hermia. Despite her love for Lysander, Hermia insists they continue sleeping separately to uphold her virtue, a prime value for unmarried women at the time. Her layered response shows her commitment to Lysander tempered by her moral fortitude and concern for her reputation. While affirming their affection, she refuses to fully give in to Lysander’s desires and risk her honor. Hermia’s nuanced reaction makes her one of Shakespeare’s most memorable and human female characters.
Here is a summary of the key points in this 4000 word article:
Introduction
- Hermia and Lysander are lovers in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- They flee to the forest to elope away from Hermia’s father
- When Lysander asks to sleep next to Hermia, she faces a dilemma
Hermia’s Reaction
- Hermia is shocked and uneasy about Lysander’s improper suggestion
- She cannot imagine agreeing to such an intimate arrangement
- Hermia thinks Lysander must be joking
Upholding Virtue
- Sleeping together could threaten Hermia’s purity and honor
- She appeals to norms about appropriate behavior for an unmarried couple
- Hermia asks Lysander to sleep further away to protect her reputation
Affirming Their Love
- Hermia reminds Lysander of the intimacy they’ve already shared
- She affirms her trust and affection even while rejecting his offer
- Her virtuous stance does not diminish her feelings for Lysander
Reaction Shows Her Character
- Hermia balances her morals and love for Lysander
- She makes a difficult choice to uphold societal expectations
- Hermia is one of Shakespeare’s most nuanced and resonant female characters
Conclusion
- Hermia responds with integrity, emotion, and conviction
- She upholds her virtue without sacrificing her complexity
- Her dialogue reveals a woman navigating love, morals, and identity