Egeus And Hermia In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Synopsis: Scene 1, Act 1. Egeus is the father of Hermia. He disapproves of Lysander and believes Hermia insane for loving Lysander due to his lack of social standing resulting from him lack of education, a proper job and wealth. He is concerned that Lysander will not be able to provide for Hermia, who he recognizes is spoilt with all the possessions a girl of an upper class up bringing has. He speaks with an understanding that only comes with age. But even through his concern for Hermia, he cannot hide his pompous, pretentious beliefs of lower or an “Inferior” class people which is what he feels Lysander is to Hermia and him. Through the course of the monologue Egeus’ use of curse words and harsh language express his dislike and intolerance
[Shout name gleefully] My fellow country man and Lord, how right he is in his decision to grant permission to Demetrius [look happy at the mention of name] too wed my Hermia and not that insistent little swine Lysander, [look outraged at the mention of Lysander’s name] the apparent love of my mindless and senseless daughter. You would expect this behaviour that of a country or factory girl, raised by the lowest standards, the same standards by which no doubt that twit head Lysander has been raised. Suppose now, that I did somehow misplace my mind for one second and agreed to Lysander’s request for my daughters hand in marriage. [Raise hands in disbelief and in a questioning manner like shrugging the shoulders] What exactly would my family have in common with his? What would we speak of at dinner and lunch dates? I personally have never cleaned stables or milked cows and I doubt Lysander’s father has ever been or will ever go to Europe or reads the newspapers. Oh! Why does Hermia not understand that this love is not only her love? That everyone she knows and I must include that twit head Lysander when saying this knows will be affected, after all when someone marries, they marry the whole family too. I am sure within one year Hermia will return to my door, tired and hungry from all that work she will have done mucking the stables in her childhood home, muck from her childhood
Hermia that ungrateful little tramp, she does not understand the consequences. Does she not believe that I too was young once? That I did not love? [Take a few steps forward and place hand on chest looking wounded] I fail to see what she has in common with Him, does she see past his face and physical presence? If she really does feel an all-encompassing love for Lysander, she will understand that she must not do this to him. She would be making him live a life feeling constantly inferior; because I am sure she will still want to attend all the social gatherings and weddings of the year, where chests are pounded by way of showing of watches and talented, spoilt children. I am sure a day will come when Hermia’s children will ask her why she married their poor father, knowing he was worth nothing and could give them nothing. It takes more than love to make a marriage work. The guards have been sent out to comb the woods for my tramp of a daughter and Lysander. And when they are finally found and returned to me, I will have no choice but to say off with their heads, because who will marry Hermia now? And the air will be a little cleaner with one less Lysander breathing. [Standing centre stage front, look satisfied and then strut of stage, with head up, shoulders back and chin in the