Egeus doesn't choose the court on a whim; rather, he is hopeful that by taking Hermia to the literal and symbolic seat of the highest authority of the land, she will recognize and honor masculine authority and, by extension, will comply with traditional gender roles, which dictated that a woman should marry to either preserve or advance social ties and familial goals, not to gratify her own romantic or sexual needs or desires. ... When Theseus replies that Hermia has two choices-either to "die the death or abjure for ever the society of men" neither of which is palatable-Hermia ...

• Word Count: 2208
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate