Egeus is the entity in the play that directly opposes Shakespeare's own opinions on love. He had been designed to be the enemy in the eyes of the audience. The obstacle to love. While Shakespeare demonstrates in the play love cannot be forced, Egeus stands by the old ways. He believes his daughter to be little more than his property stating “As she is mine, I may dispose of her; Which shall either be to this gentleman Or to her death”(1.1.42-44). As a man of upper class and a friend of the Duke, he is used to getting what he desires. He would not tolerate his own daughter defying his. Although he gives the facade of wanting the best for his daughter, he has given no reason for why he picked Demetrius over the man whom she truly loves. Lysander
